Literature: Illustrated and described in G. Daniels, The Art of Breguet, p. 230, figs.251 a-c. Note: Both supremely elegant and technically brilliant, this watch is an example of Breguet's most refined production for civil use. An exceptionally flat repeater, it is fitted with the final development of Breguet's straight line counterpoised lever escapement, with jewelled pallets adjustable for depth, and with draw (the angle between the pallet stones and the escape 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, parachute 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 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 can 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 the inclusion of both the moon and the regulator sector. The case back, secured in place by bayonet fittings, is turned to reveal the winding squares.
HENRY WILLIAM PAGET 1st Marquess of Anglesey Earl of Uxbridge and Baron Paget 1768 - 1854
Henry William Paget, eminent soldier and statesman, was born in London on17 May 1768, educated at Westminster School and at Christchurch, Oxford, he enterd Parliament in 1790 representing Carnarvon and later Milborne Port on different occasions up to 1810. It was however as a soldier that he is best remembered. In 1793, he raised a regiment of infantry, the Staffordshire volunteers, which became the 80th of the line at the outbreak of war with France. In June 1794, they joined the army under the Duke of York in Flanders, Paget holding the temporary rank of Lieutenant-colonel, being for a time in charge of a brigade. In 1795 he took a permanent position in the army, commissioned as a Lieutenant in the 7th Royal Fusiliers, rising through to Captain on the 11th March, Major on the 20th May and finally Lieutentant-colonel of the 16th Light Dragoons on 15th June. By now commanding a cavalry brigade, in 1799 he was sent to Holland with the expeditionary force - half English, half Russian, again under the Duke of York. He distinguished himself by re-capturing British guns seized by Vandamme and taking 500 prisoners at Kastricum, despite the expedition as a whole being considered a failure. Upon his return to England, Paget devoted himself to his regiment, making it one of the best in the army. He became Major-general in 1802, and Lieutenant-general in 1808. Sent to join Sir John Moore in the same year, he landed at Corunna, and found the army at Salamanca, and moved on to Sahagun which was occupied by the French. Arriving before daylight with the 10th and 15th Hussars, he sent the 10th straight on and led the 15th round the town to cut off the enemy's retreat. The alarm however had been raised, and 600 Dragoons were drawn up in line against his force of 400. He charged and routed the enemy, taking 167 prisoners. His actions throughout the campaign were exemplary: at Mayorga on 26th December he routed a strong body of French horse, at Benavente he drove the French under General Lafèvre-Desnouettes back accross the river Esla taking seventy prisoners, including the General. General Junot, commander of the French army in Portugal said of Paget: "J'ai toujours supposé que Lord Paget Était le plus beau garçon d'Angleterre ? Lord Paget became Earl of Uxbridge on the death of his father on 13 March 1812. He had been unemployed in the army since 1809, but was ordered to Flanders in the spring of 1815. Appointed to command the whole of the cavalry and horse artillery under the Duke of Wellington, he was given carte blanche with regard to the direction and movements of his forces. In his element at the head of his men, he was to write later : "It was the prettiest field-day of cavalry and horse artillery that I ever witnessed ". After leading the household brigade aginst the French cuirassiers of Milhaud, Uxbridge received a bullet in the knee from one of the last shots fired in the battle, and his leg had to he amputated. The limb was buried in a garden at Waterloo, and a monument placed over it which became a source of income to the owner of the property. Uxbridge was created Marquis of Anglesey on 4th July 1815 in recognition of his services at Waterloo, made a Knight of the Garter in 1818 and acted as Lord High Steward at the coronation of George IV. Appointed as General of the army in 1819, he succeeded the Duke of Wellington as Master- General of the ordnance in 1827. Now began the seconds phase of his career. In 1828 he became Lord-lieutenant of Ireland under the Duke of Wellington's administration and left for Ireland determined to be even-handed in his actions. The county was in ferment over the question of catholic emancipation, and Uxbridge realised that concessions would have to be made; a view that brought him into sharp conflict with the King and the government at home. His support for reform led to a recall in 1829, despite his popularity with the people, but he was re-instated under Lord Grey in 1830. Increasing discontent in Ireland made his second tour less successful than the first, and his most satisfactory work was probably the establishment of a board of education. Upon his return to England, he was made a Field-marshal in 1846, and Lord-lieutenant of Staffordshire in 1849. He died at the age of sixty-eight on 10 April 1854, and was buried in the family vault at Lichfield, his funeral cortege being escorted to Euston station by Queen Victoria, H.R.H. Prince Albert and about sixty others of the principal nobilty and gentry. The Marquess had married twice, first to Lady Caroline Villiers, by whom he had three sons and five daughters, following a divorce in 1810, he married again to Charlotte, daughter of the Earl of Cadogan, by whom he had a further three sons and daughters. His contribution to the history of his time was considerable and his character was summed up in his obituary published in the Examiner, "It might almost be said that his character could be read off at sight, the express image of chivalry as he was. His bearing bespoke the man, so gallant, so high, so courteous. Seldom have bravery, gentleness and generosity been combined in such noble proportions".