History: According to the repair books, this watch was returned for overhaul at the request of Gaetano Crivelli on 21 June 1830. Upon his death in 1836, it was passed down through the family, probably to his eldest son Domenico (a composer), for it was offered back to Breguet on 30 November 1851, only shortly after the death of Domenico, by a certain Joseph Crivelli, who was most likely his son. Bought back by Breguet for 417 Francs, the watch was resold on the same day, under the No. 710, to a Monsieur Forest, for the sum of 1000 Francs. On 2 May 1903, a third certificate was issued to Desoutter, Breguet's agent in London at the time. Provenance: Formerly in the collection of the late T.P. Camerer Cuss.
Literature:Illustrated and described in T.P. Camerer Cuss, The Country Life Book of Watches, London 1967, p.67, col.pl. IV, and in T.A. Camerer Cuss, Antique Watches, Woodbridge, 1976, p.206-207, pl.124.
Note: This watch may be wound, set to time, regulated and adjusted to the correct date, all without the need to open the case. The original double-ended male key with a pivoted bar accompanies the watch and is separately itemised in the sale books with a cost price of 40 Francs. The conventional end of the key winds the watch through the centre hole in the back, whilst the other end carries a smaller male square on a bar which folds out of the main shaft, used for setting the hand through the centre of the winding hole, advancing the date through the side of the case , and adjusting the regulator through an additional hole in the back of the case at the 6 o'clock position.
GAETANO CRIVELLI (1774-1836) Gaetano Crivelli, a famous opera singer who made an important and lasting contribution to the repertoire of the tenor voice in Italian opera. Born in Bergamo in 1774, he began his career singing in second-class theatres following the completion of his studies. After achieving notable success in Brescia, due to his fine voice and expressive phrasing, he was invited to Naples in 1795. He appeared there over a period of several years at the Saint Charles theatre, using the opportunity to perfect his talent through both listening to the maestros, who frequently visited the theatre, and by seeking their advice - notably Aprile. From Naples Crivelli travelled to Rome, Venice and finally Milan, where he sung at La Scala in 1805 with Banti, Marchesi and the bass Jean-Baptiste Binaghi. In 1811 Crivelli was appointed as successor to Garcia at the Italian opera in Paris, resident at the time at the Odéon. His debut in Parsiello's Pirro was particularly well received, a contemporary journal noting: "M.Crevelli is blessed with all the qualities that appeal to the music-lover. A superb voice, an excellent technique, a fine figure, a noble actor and very expressive; one could not ask for more". To be thus praised whilst appearing in the company of Mademoiselle Barilli, Festa, Tacchinardi, Porto, Barilla, Boticelli and several other distinguished singers, he must have possessed a prodigious talent. Apparently he was Napoleon's favourite during his time in Paris. Crivelli remained with the Italian opera until February 1817 when he came to London where he remained for more than a year, singing in the first English performance of Don Giovanni. Returning to Italy his performances at La Scala in 1819 and 1820 were a great success, but his voice was beginning to lose its strength. He continued to sing and tour Italy until 1829, and died of cholera on the 10th July 1830, at the age of 59 years. Crivelli had married at the age of 19, and left three sons, all of whom followed careers in the world of opera. The eldest, Domenico (1793-1852) was active as a composer and teacher, eventually settling in London; the others, Giovanni and Enrico performed in opera throughout much of Europe.