Important Collectors’ Wristwatches Po...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 22, 1995

LOT 201

Breguet No. 271, sold to M. Pizarro on 25 Vendémiaire an VI (16 October 1797), for 648 Francs. Very rare and early, unusual silver "montre de souscription" with experimental calibre and subsidiary dial for the minutes.

CHF 10,000 - 12,000

USD 8,000 - 10,000

Sold: CHF 24,150

C. Three body, "forme collier", with gold riras , by Tavernier, the band engine-turned, the back now glazed. Gilt brass cuvette with minute dial aperture. D. White enamel "souscription" type with Breguet numerals and secret signature below "12", small subsidiary dial on the back plate for minutes. Single blued-steel " souscription" hand with tapered point and b!ued steel minute hand. M. 25"', gilt brass, the earliest type of "souscription" experimental calibre, with central barrel, retained along with the wheels by a single plate set with the small minute dial. Overhanging ruby cylinder escapement, plain brass three armed balance with "parachute" suspension, blued-steel flat balance spring with bimetallic compensation curb on the regulator. Signed on the dial and movement. In very good condition. Diam. 62 mm.


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Notes

No other plain silver souscription watches fitted with a subsidiary dial for minutes are known to exist, the only watches fitted with a subsidiary dial on the back for the minutes being the few " montres à tact" made by Breguet with a Republican calendar and equation table visible on the back through an aperture, such as Nos. 728, 729 and 730, which are also fitted with a small additional dial on the back, subdivided for Pive minutes. One might think the back of this watch bas been replaced by a glass in order to enable an easier lecture of minutes on the rear dia!.