Jean-André Lepaute est le premier horloger de la famille Lepaute.
Jean-André Lepaute is the first watchmaker in the Lepaute family. Born in 1720 in Thonne-la-Long, he left his small village at a very young age to do his apprenticeship in Paris. In 1755 he became a Master Watchmaker, with the position of Watchmaker to the King, and his business flourished. He called out from Thonne-la-Long his brother Jean-Baptiste Lepaute, then his nephews one after the other. They embraced the watchmaking profession, with the success we know, and passed it down to their own children.
In 1876, Augustin Henry-Lepaute, who we have already introduced, and his cousin Gabriel Lepaute (both great-nephews of Jean-André and Jean-Baptiste, are you following?) decided to offer their ancestors' native village a gorgeous tower clock built in Paris by Augustin's sons, Léon and Paul Henry-Lepaute, watchmakers for the City of Paris.
Listed historical monument, this exceptional clock has recently ceased to be working and is awaiting a restoration that will allow it to function again, to give the right time again to the inhabitants of Thonne-la-Long and to be preserved for generations to come.
