Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 18, 1997

LOT 26

Breguet et Fils No. 2354, petite pendule a quatre parties consigned to Maison de Russie on 23 April 1810, sold by Moreau on 31 December 1810, for 1800 Francs. Fine and rare burr elm, eight day going, quarter repeating Grande and PetiteSonnerie carriage clock with alarm and special escapement.

CHF 50,000 - 60,000

Sold: CHF 72,450

C. Rectangular burr elm veneered with sliding back door, glazed aperture on the top beneath the folding handle, gilt brass bezel with "water-leaf' decoration. D. White enamel with Breguet numerals. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. Brass rectangular with double tooth barrel both on the going and the striking trains, platform mounted with Breguet development of the Robin detent-lever escapement with jewelled pallets and 15 toothed escape wheel, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring with regulator. Quarter repeating and striking on a bell with the mechanisms mounted on the back plate, top button release. Pull wind alarm striking on the same bell, fitted on the base. Signed on the dial and based of the movement. Dim. 18 x 12 x 9 cm:


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Grading System
Grade: B

Fair
Case: 1

As new
Movement: 1

As new
Dial: 25-51

Chipped

Partially reprinted

Notes

Note: This escapement is describes and illustrated by George Daniels in The Art of Breguet, p. 320, fig. 391 ac. Lazare Moreau, nicknamed Zarenne, was sent by Breguet to Russia in 1808 in order to set up the firm 's Russian establishment, called the Maison de Russie. He was given permission to call himself "Monsieur Moreau-Breguet " and, as soon as he arrived in St. Petersburg, he managed to be introduced to the most important personalities of the Court and even met Tsar Alexander I on several occasions. As early as November 1808, the Tsar appointed him and the Breguet firm as Watchmaker to "His Majesty and to the Imperial Navy": News of Moreau's excellent work and rapid development in Russia reached Paris and pleased Breguet. Nonetheless, Breguet was wary of Moreau's slackness in keeping the accounts and in handling the repatriation of funds to Paris, which bordered on dishonesty. Feeling that this success may go to his b.id, he warned Moreau against the excesses of his lifestyle. Luckily for Breguet, 1808 was also the year in which his trusted friend Agustin de Betancourt entered the service of Russia; he not only helped to developed Breguet's affairs even further but, more i mportantly, he was able to keep a watchful eye on Moreau. Subsequently Breguet entrusted de Betancourt with the delicate mission of revoking Moreau ' s powers in the Maison de Rucsie.