Exceptional Horological Works of Art

Geneva, Oct 19, 2002

LOT 112

Miniature Médaillon Breguet, No. 2053, Médaillon, sold to Monsieur Aufresne on August 25, 1807 for 1320 Francs. Fine and rare 20K gold, small pendant "montre de souscription", accompanied by original ratchet key and a certificate issued by Breguet on April 11, 1857.

CHF 35,000 - 45,000

EUR 1 - 1

Sold: CHF 46,000

C. Three-body, "forme collier", by Tavernier No. 2634, back engine-turned in circular pattern and glazed, reeded band, gold detachable cuvette with winding and regulating apertures. D. Gold, engine-turned with Roman numerals on a polished chapter ring, engine-turned center. Blued steel Breguet "lance" hand. M. 33.4 mm. (15???), gilt brass, souscription caliber with central going barrel wound only from the back, overhanging ruby cylinder escapement, plain brass three-arm balance with pare-chute suspension and flat balance spring, 5-wheel train. Signed on the dial, cuvette and movement, secret signature on the dial. Diam. 39 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent

Case: 3

Good

Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

Monsieur Aufresne was a Breguet client who purchased at least 13 watches, most of them in 1807 and 1808. Two of them ended up in Polish hands, one becoming the property of Count Potocki, which suggests that Aufresne may have been a Breguet agent operating in Poland and Russia. For a biography of Breguet, see page 203. The next two watches, lots No. 112 and 113, are particularly representative of Breguet?s innovative genius for employing guilloché as the principal decorative element of his watches. These two watches were called "mon-tres médaillons" in Breguet catalogues of the period because of their dimensions, and were given cases of a "collier" form. The concentric circular pattern of the first one, and the stripe decoration of the other, are particularly interesting because Breguet was practically the only one to use them. Their back covers, protected by glass, have been preserved in al-most new condition. To our knowledge Breguet was the only one to protect the back covers of his medallion watches, which were exposed to wear, being suspended from a chain around the neck.