History: In Breguet archives, a arbre perce means that the barrel is fitted with a female winding square, to be wound with a male key. Sold for 4550 Francs in 1817, this watch was among the most expensive made by Breguet at the time, even more expensive than pocket chronometers with tourbillon regulator. Note: Both supremely elegant and technically brilliant, this watch is an example of Brcguct's most refined production for civil use. An exceptionally flat repeater, it is fitted with the final development of Breguet's straight line lever escapement with jewelled pallets adjustable for depth, and with draw (the wheel teeth, being such that in the resting position, the lever is " drawn " clear of the roller, to avoid any frictional contact during the free arcs of the balance. Breguet was the first watchmaker in France to employ draw in his lever escapements). Furthermore, pare-chute type shock protection is fitted to both pivots of the balance staff, and the bimetallic balance is of the most advanced design with the adjusting and poising screws inset into the rim. The balance spring has a terminal curve of the form that has since become known as the "Breguet balance spring". Quarter repeating is accomplished using a single gong with one hammer striking on an intermediate sprung steel block to ensure a clean and even strike and avoid potential extraneous vibrations that occur if the hammer is in too close proximity to the gong. Finally, the engine-turned silver dial is perfectly balanced despite the eccentric arrangement and inclusion of both the calendar and the regulator sector apertures. The case back, secured in place by bayonet fittings, is turned to reveal the winding square. The Narischkin family received the title of Russian counts from Tsar Peter the Great. Princess Narischkin was the mistress of Tsar Alexander I, by whom she had several children, most of whom died at an early age. Literature: This watch is described and illustrated by Emmanuel Breguet is his book: Breguet Horloger depuis 1775 - Vie et posterite de Abraham-Louis Breguet. Alain de Gourcuff Editeur, Paris, 1997, pp. 256-257.