Before the IWC Ingenieur there was this...
Here's an example of an early anti-magnetic pocket watch. The outer case is silver but the inner case is made of iron (I am not yet sure of what it is) making it a faraday cage. It was likely cheaper to produce than watches with for example a gold escapement and a palladium hairspring, or parts made of other non-magnetic materials.
It's not a very spectacular watch, but it's well made. Quite a bit different also compared to most L. Leroy & Cie offerings from this period.
The cuvette speaks of an 'ecran paramagnetique'. I have looked for a patent specific for this watch, but was unable to find it.
Have a nice weekend!
Regards,
Gijs
So YOU'RE the one who got it :)
I was following this one but didn't bid.
L. Leroy et Cie had a tradition of anti-magnetic watches, ending with marine chronometers built entireley of non-magnetic materials. I'd guess it has a soft iron inner case, but who knows...
I'm increasingly surprised at the range of offerings from Leroy, ranging from frankly indifferent middle-of-the-road wristwatches through to ultra-top-end pocket- and wristwatches, and from marine chronometers to uber-precision observatory clocks.
I still want one of the Peseux 260 wristwatches they made, but they're few and far between.
It's a shame there's not more info about them. I've been researching them off and on for a few years, but there isn't much out there. They still have all their archives, so the source material is there.
nick
I believe we've 'met' before in bidding wars without knowing...
Hi Nick,
Like you I'm intrigued by the L. Leroy & Cie products. You're right that they offer a wide vareity of watches. I do believe that the earlier pieces are of the highest quality, and the watches from approximately the 40's and onwards being of less consistant quality.
I remember a Leroy with a Peseux 260 going for a ridiculous price (about 1750,-) some time ago (more than a year) on the auction site. You may have seen it also. At the time I just couldn't afford it and still feel the pain of what could have been... 
I do believe you have that wonderful chronograph with the coin-edge case, don't you?
If there is a relatively obscure brand that is due an article it would be L. Leroy & Cie (and Touchon and Agassiz and C.H. Meylan and Badollet...). I think when I have more time I'll look into the information available and how helpful the new Leroy company is.
Regards,
Gijs