A TRIBUTE TO PRECISION AND COMPLICATE...

Hotel Nogalhilton Geneve, Nov 11, 2001

LOT 321

Breguet et Fils, No. 2972, "Garde Temps", sold to Prince Rasoumovsky on September 28, 1816, for3,000 francs.Very fine, rare, and historically important 18K gold, early minute-repeating watch, accompanied by a Breguet certificate.

CHF 60,000 - 80,000

USD 38,000 - 50,000

Sold: CHF 119,000

C. Four-body, "forme quatre baguettes", by Joly, No. 2072, engine turned back, band and bezels, gold detachable cuvette with winding and regulating apertures. D. Silver, radial Roman numerals on sanded ring, outer minute dot divisions, engine-turned center and edge. blued steel, Breguet hands. M. 44,3 mm (19 1/2'''), 11 jewels, ruby cylinder escapement with plain three-arm gilt brass balance with blued steel flat balance spring, pare-chute on top pivot, compensating curb fixed to the regulator,tanding barrel, repeating mechanism with continuous surprising piece and movable star wheel set on all-or-nothing lever, repeating by three hammers on two gongs by pull-and-twist piston in the pendant.Signed on the dial and cuvette.Diam. 51 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

Prince Andrei Kyrilovich Rasoumovsky(St Petersburg, 1752 - Vienna, 1836)Son of Count Cyril, he was named ambassador to the Viennese court in 1793, he took part in the negotiations that resulted in the division of Poland. During his stay in Austria, Rasoumovsky also prepared the treaties for the coalition and alliance against France. He attended the Congresses of Chatillon and Vienna, where he was one of the signers of the declaration of March 13, 1815, against Napoleon who had escaped from Elba. He was made a prince at the same time as Metternich, just a year beforethe purchase of the watch. Rasoumovsky, considered one of most eminent European diplomats of his time, is mostly remembered as having been a friend and patron of Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827), who dedicated three of his string quartets to him. Breguet entrusted the "repassage" (the correct adjustment of all parts) of the watch to one of his best workmen, Charles Oudin.