Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Du Rhône, May 13, 2007

LOT 290

"A Robert & Cie de Constantinople - Miniature Watch" Breguet, No. 981, sold to Robert & Cie of Constantinople on August 31, 1844, for 1,692 Francs. Very fine and extremely rare, "très petite" miniature, thin, 18K gold lady's pendant watch with short gold chain, key and heart-shaped locket. Accompanied by a Breguet certificate.

CHF 10,000 - 15,000

EUR 6,000 - 9,000 / USD 8,000 - 12,000

Sold: CHF 14,160

C. Four-body, "forme collier", polished bezels, coin-edge band, the back engraved with a bouquet of flowers on an engine turned ground. Hinged gold cuvette. D. Matte silvered with champleve radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions, the center with engraved flowers. Gold "Breguet" hands. M. 15.5 mm., 7''', frosted gilt, bar caliber, 8 jewels, cylinder escapement, frosted gilt three-arm balance, flat balance spring, index regulator. Cuvette signed. Diam 18.5 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 10*

Patinated

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-6-01

Good

Slightly oxidized

HANDS Original

Notes

Breguet has a long history of making miniature watches and famously made the first and smallest watch with keyless winding around 1830, in 16 examples (one sold by Antiquorum, Hong Kong, June 30, 2000, Lot 173). The present watch is not keyless but is much thinner than the earlier miniature watches and amongst the smallest watches produced in the first half of the 19th century.