Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 15, 2016

LOT 420

BREGUET NO. 3118 MARINE CHRONOMETER WITH REAUMUR THERMOMETER MADE IN 1821 Breguet No. 3118, Marine Chronometer "thermometre metallique", sold to the French navy, in 1821, for 2400 Francs. Fine, early and extremely rare, 2 day going deck Chronometer with earnshaw escapement and metallic thermometer. Accompanied by the Breguet certificate dated 1957 and original key.

CHF 40,000 - 60,000

HKD 320,000 - 480,000 / USD 42,000 - 63,000

Sold: CHF 68,750

Three body mahogany deck-watch type box. Oval Chromium plated bowl in oval gimbal. Silver plated, black painted roman indexes, outer track with arabic 10 minute indication, subsidiary seconds aperture to start/stop the balance, thermometer at 3 o clock. Blued steel hands. Brass full plate, 2 large barrels for 2 day power reserve, Earnshaw type spring detent escapement, two arm compensation balance with cylindrical weights and timing screws, parachute shock absorber, free sprung polished steel helical balance spring with terminal curves.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2-11

Very good

Slightly worn

Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 2-10-01

Very good

Patinated

HANDS Original

Notes

Signed on the dial, numbered on the case. DIAL DIAM. 104 mm. PROVENANCE Ineichen Auktion 321, October 1979. Bought by the family of the consignor at the above mentioned auction in 1979 for CHF 160'000 and illustrated in the Art of Breguet p. 238. A visionary genius way ahead of his time, ABRAHAM LOUIS was an extremely smart man whose various interests kept his horological inventions at the forefront of creativity. Named in 1814 at the FRENCH LONGITUDE OFFICE, this organisation was created with the goal of advancing astronomy, geography and navigation. It was this, as the only watchmaker part of this group, that he was named HORLOGER DE LA MARINE in 1815. As the most prestigious title any watchmaker could wish for, similar to the works of JOHN HARRISON, his genius was once again at work to create precise timepieces vitally important at sea. Taking his role extremely seriously, Breguet published in 1817 a 23 page instruction booklet on the use of his marine chronometers at sea. In 1819 he published a small catalogue in which he explains the use of the new caliber: " the two barrels act in opposite directions on the centre pinion, and the pressure of each is less than half that of a fusee, the opposing direction of their force bears equally on the pivots, which suffer less strain and friction. The wheel train is completely separate from the barrel and the pieces of the escapement. The latter is mounted on a special platform, almost isolated from the rest which can be removed easily; such a design has the important advantage of allowing the work to be given to the most suitable craftsman." Completed and sold 2 years before his death, this important and to the best of our knowledge one of the only Marine chronometers with thermometer is testament to ABRAHAM LOUIS BREGUET's skill and genious. Source: Breguet, un apogee de l'horlogerie europeenne by Musee du Louvre editions.