L. Leroy celebrates 240 years of horology with the Osmior Bal du Temps, combining a flying tourbillon and minute repeater in three case variations.
Founded in Paris in 1785, L. Leroy has played a central role in the history of watchmaking and chronometry. In 1835, the company was appointed official watchmaker to the French Naval Ministry, a title it held longer than any other manufacturer.
Over its history, L. Leroy produced more than 2,200 chronometers for precision timekeeping at sea, before the advent of radio-controlled and computer-based systems.
For its 240th anniversary, the brand presents the Bal du Temps, a new creation in the Osmior collection. It reflects the classical codes of the Maison while combining two of the most sophisticated complications in watchmaking: the tourbillon and the minute repeater.
Produced in limited numbers and manufactured exclusively for L. Leroy in Geneva, the model highlights both continuity with the brand’s heritage and its pursuit of technical excellence.
Measuring 43 mm in diameter and 13.60 mm thick, including the domed sapphire crystal, the case of the Osmior Bal du Temps is offered in three versions: 950 platinum (ref. LL306/1), 18K 5N red gold (ref. LL305/1), and Grade 5 titanium (ref. LL307/1).
Each case material adopts a different dial colour, giving each version its own character: silver with titanium, for a discreet tone-on-tone effect enlivened by the ALD-treated blue hand; light ALD-treated blue with platinum and a rhodium-plated hand; and anthracite grey with 18K 5N gold, where gilded numerals and hour hand stand out in contrast.
Its polished “tambour” shape, a hallmark of the Osmior collection, is defined by a recessed case middle that contrasts with the bezel and caseback.
The chamfered, slightly flared lugs curve gently, enhancing the refined profile.
The crown carries the Maison’s interlaced double “L” logo in polished relief, standing out against a sandblasted background. Grooved notches around the edge ensure a secure grip when winding the watch or setting the time.
The openworked dial reveals the intricate mechanics of the Minute Repeater and Flying Tourbillon, the latter visible at 6 o'clock.
The display has a single hand for the hours, while the minutes are indicated by the acoustic mechanism, activated by a slide at 9 o'clock.
This style of time reading is not new for the Maison, inspired by the historic “à tact” watch made for Prince Emil Maximilian Leopold August of Hesse around 1810, and already reinterpreted in the recent Minute Repeater for Only Watch, Unique Piece.
The sunray-finished hour ring features Arabic numerals recalling L. Leroy's historical models.
At the centre, levers and gears are meticulously finished: some elements are satin-brushed, others polished, the plate features circular graining, and the screw heads are mirror-polished.
The flying tourbillon cage at 6 o'clock completes one rotation per minute and is topped by a bridge bearing the interlaced double “L”, the House's symbol. Made of polished titanium with bevelled edges, it is fixed with white gold screws and pillars.
The minute repeater, operating on two gongs, is activated on demand via the slide at 9 o'clock. Once engaged, the hours, quarters, and minutes are marked by distinct chimes, as the two hammers strike the gongs.
Powering the watch is the hand-wound calibre L610SQ, composed of 321 parts and beating at 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour). A single barrel ensures a power reserve of at least 90 hours.
On the back, the hammers are displayed in positions corresponding to the hours from 10 to 12 on the dial. They are mirror-polished, with anglage along the bevelled edges.
The case of the Bal du Temps is water resistant to 3 ATM (30 metres / 100 feet). A black alligator strap with large scales and tone-on-tone stitching secures it to the wrist, with an inner lining in smaller-scale alligator leather.
The folding buckle, in materials matching the case, features the double “L” logo positioned inside the ring, adding originality.
The prices of the three versions of the L. Leroy Osmior Bal du Temps are available upon request. montres-leroy.com
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