Blanc Laine

Blanc Laine, A Paris, circa 1790. Fine and very rare 18K gold duodecimal and decimal revolutionary watch. Two-body, Louis XVI, polished. 44 mm., frosted gilt full-plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement plain brass balance with flat balance spring, continental cock.Signed on the movement.Diam. 52 mm. Notes A Blanc l'aîné (Blanc the elder) is recorded as working in Paris in 1800 in the rue Saint Honoré.In 1792 there was a discussion in France concerning the best way of adapting duodecimal watches to the decimal system. One watchmaker proposed changing the dial train (the hour wheels) from 1/12 to 1/24, and replacing the dial with a 24-hour chapter and a concentric 10-hour decimal one, resulting in one complete revolution per day of the hour hand. The hours would then be indicated correctly in both systems, while the minutes remained duodecimal (60 minutes per hour). The present watch utilizeshis system.