Important Collectors’ Wristwatches Po...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 22, 1995

LOT 202

Breguet No. 214, circa 1810. Very fine and rare contemporary reproduction of a silver "montre de souscription".

CHF 5,500 - 6,500

USD 4,600 - 5,200

Sold: CHF 7,820

C. Three body, "forme collier" with gold riras, pendant and bow, reeded band and engine-turned back. D. White enamel "souscription" type by Vincent (signed on the enamel backing) with Breguet numerals and apocryphal secret signature below "12". Single blued-steel " souscription" band with tapered point. M. 24"', gilt brass, "souscription" calibre with centre barrel, inverted cylinder escapement, plain brass three-arm balance. Blued steel flat balance spring. Signed on the dial and movement. In very good condition. Diam. 62 mm.


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Notes

Along with that of Julien Le Roy, but toward the end of the XVIIIth century and especially in the first quarter of the XIXth, due to bis fame, the signature of Breguet was the most often used by unscrupulous makers, to sell watches in most of European countries and especially in France. These watches were generally of poor quality and easy to identify for most of them, were not even of the type produced by the eminent maker. Few watches however were very well made and can be confused with that of the Master. Among the several thousand watches bearing the signature of Breguet and, produced by that time, the watch now offered for sale, fitted with a very nice dial made by Vincent who also worked for Breguet, Louis Berthoud and Henri Motel, is certainly one of the best examples of a "montre de souscription" contemporary copy, known to exist. Small details in the case and the layout of the movement, the way the dial is fixed, enables to distinguish it from a genuine Breguet " souscription" watch. Above ail, the swindle lies on the regulator, which is a plain cylinder escapement instead of the over hanging ruby cylinder escapement made by Breguet for this type of watches, with "parachute" suspension at the upper pivot and bimetallic compensation curb. Without such important improvements, confusing for a non expert eye, the watch could be sold with a large profit at a much lower price.