L.Leroy can trace its history back to 1785, when Charles Leroy, who was born into a watchmaker’s family, created his own maison in Paris.
Over decades, the atelier developed some of the most innovative timepieces to have come out of Europe, including the Leroy 01, a pocketwatch that one the Grand Prix at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1900.
The timekeeper was considered the most complicated ever made right up until 1989 when Patek Philippe trumped it with the famous Calibre 89.
Like many illustrious watchmaking houses, L.Leroy’s story has seen its highs and lows across world wars and the turmoil of the quartz crisis.
Despite its history, the business was mothballed again a few years ago, but has been brought back to life once again by Miguel Rodriguez, a Spanish entrepreneur who also owns Perrelet, the Swiss movement manufacturer SOPROD and is president and founder of Festina Group.
L.Leroy is back on the front foot with the creation of a unique watch for the Only Watch charity auction later this year.
As long as contributing to the fundraiser for Duchenne muscular dystrophy research, the Only Watch piece will serve as a demonstration of expertise for L.Leroy’s watchmakers, which are right now working on a new collection scheduled for release in 2024.
The latest iteration of the business will see it focusing on grand complication watches in limited series and unique pieces, normally highlighting a horological achievement from the company’s archive.
The Only Watch submission is a good example. It is inspired by a rare ancient pendant watch made by Mr Leroy in 1810 for the Prince Emil Maximillian Leopold August of Hesse (above).
At that time, before the invention of electricity or luminous hands, the watch was made to be read in the dark by touching a hand that moved in the direction of twelve diamonds on the periphery of the case, which acted as indices.
Instead of telling the time by touch, the L.Leroy Minute Repeater Only Watch with flying tourbillon will let its owner chart the passing of the day by listening to its regular chimes.
The hand engraved watch with a hand wound movement goes under the hammer for Only Watch with an estimates of CHF 150,000 to 180,000.
