The Louis XIV model was a Roamer with a thinner than average movement and a highly decorated case and dial. Model reference 487.8230.003.
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
Roamer watches are rarely easy to date accurately, but this has proved especially difficult. Following the death of Ernst Meyer in 1967 the company started using more bought in movements, and this date would match the production dates of the movement used in this watch. After 1975 Roamer went down market, trying to compete with cheaper watches from the far east, and they wouldn’t have used such a nice movement as a Peseux.
CONDITION
Why is this watch called Louis XIV? All we could find is that the Danish scientist Ole Christensen Rømer was a favourite of Louis XIV, and when Rømer wasn’t tutoring the Dauphin or becoming the first person to measure the speed of light he was also helping redesign the fountains at Versailles. This might have nothing at all with the decision to call the watch Louis XIV!
The movement that allows the case to be so thin is a Peseux 7000. Remarkably this is still in production as an ETA 7001 and is fitted to some quite high end brands. This manual wind movement has seventeen jewels and is working well. The dial is highly decorated, as is the case, which is remarkable for a watch at this price point. The gold plated case does have some pitting on the back, but it is not visible when the watch is being worn. The leather strap is new, and could be swapped for a different colour if preferred.
This watch will be supplied with our branded presentation box and our Certificate of Authenticity.
Please see the HD video for more detail. All photos and videos are part of the description and are of the actual watch unless mentioned. We do not photoshop any pictures, and the images are copyright of birthyearwatches.com and should not be used without permission.
SIZE
Width with crown 34.5 mm
Width without crown 34.5 mm
Between lugs 17 mm
Lug to lug length 34.0 mm
Case Thickness 6.5 mm
All sizes are approximate. The watch is photographed on a wrist of 190mm/7.5 inches.
Included with this watch is a 2 month guarantee and free delivery to UK addresses. If you live outside the UK we can still deliver to most countries. Please see our Worldwide Shipping information, or Contact Us. Payment can be made by most credit or debit cards, bank transfer or PayPal.
From 1st September 2021 we will be planting a tree for every watch we sell, working with the International Tree Foundation (Est 1922) to make this business positive on carbon. By buying anything pre owned you are effectively reusing what already exists, but this takes it further and makes us feel good.
