A quality striking repeat carriage clock with alarm by Leroy & Cie c1900. Elegantly proportioned brass corniche case with cast handle. Bevelled glass panels and oval top window displaying its original jewelled lever platform escapement. Bevelled gilt mask bordering its white enamel dial. Black roman numerals and minute ring with blued-steel hands. Subsidiary alarm dial with arrow pointer and Arabic numerals. Dial (faintly) signed L. LEROY & CIE 7 BD DE LA MADELEINE PARIS which is also stamped on the edge of the backplate (and visible through the side panel). A twin barrel 8-day duration movement striking the hours and half-hours on a coiled gong. Unusual recessed repeat button striking the last hour. Supplied with traditional double-ended brass key. Height is 18 cm to top of handle (13.5 cm excluding handle), width is 9.5 cm and depth 8 cm. Excellent timekeeper. Fully cleaned and serviced. The clock's movement is covered by our 12-month warranty within the UK.
 
The firm of 'L. Leroy & Cie' can be traced back to 1785 when the business was founded by Basille-Charles Le Roy at 60 Galerie de Pierre, Palais Royal, Paris. He was a clockmaker to the Emperor Napoleon, The Duke of Orleans, The Duke of Bourbon and Princess Pauline. In 1828 Basille-Charles died leaving the business to his son, Charles-Louis, who continued producing clocks signed 'Le Roy & Fils'. Charles’ descendants had no interest in clockmaking and in 1845 the firm was sold to one of his former employees, Casimir Halley Desfontaines (who in turn was succeeded by his son George Halley Desfontaines in 1883) with the proviso that the name would continue for at least two generations. In 1854 “Le Roy & Sons” was set up in London and was officially appointed Watchmaker to Queen Victoria in 1863. The firm had acquired 211 Regent Street sometime prior to 1866, and by 1875 had also acquired 213 Regent Street. By 1885, the firm had moved to Bond Street. In 1888 George Halley died leaving the business to his brother Jules Halley who took-in as a partner Louis Leroy (no relation to the founders of the firm). Louis Leroy took over the business one year later, changing the name to “L.Leroy & Cie, ancienne maison Le Roy & Fils”. From 1895 onwards, the company archives only refer to the name “L.Leroy & Cie”.