Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

Noga Hilton, Geneva, Jun 14, 2003

LOT 80

Giteau (Elève de Breguet), Palais Royal, No. 129, à Paris, circa 1825. Fine and interesting mahogany center-seconds, hour- and half hour-striking, eight day-going mantel regulator with orrery.

CHF 60,000 - 80,000

EUR 40,000 - 53,000 / USD 46,000 - 62,000

Sold: CHF 80,500

C. Rectangular, glazed on four sides with brass mounting, gilt bronze bezel chased with leaf decoration, the orrery on the top. Set on four gilt brass square feet. D. White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions, inner seconds divided into halves. Blued steel Breguet hands with pierced tip. M. Circular brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, going barrel on both the going and the striking trains, pin-wheel escapement set on the back plate, half seconds beating gridiron penulum with knife edge suspension. Orrery: driven from the going train, based on a post revolving once a year fitted with silvered annual calendar dial with aperture years (from 1800 to 1899), small subsidiary dials for the days of the week and 24 hours. Center with gilt brass Sun encircled by Venus, Mercury and the Earth with the Moon.Signed on the dial.Dim. 68 x 25 x 18 cm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3 - 28
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 14 - 01

Notes

A very well-executed orrery with the Moon rotation's around the Earth of 29 days, 12 hours and 44 minutes or 29.5305556 days. The time which elapses between new moons is called a synodic month. Today it is equal to 29.5305889 days, but this length is constantly evolving, around 1800 it was equal to 29.5305881 days, and around 2100 it will be 29.5305891 days. The train designed by Giteau has a remarkable error rate of 0.0000325 rotation per day, which is less than three seconds per day. Giteau Was a pupil of Breguet. He worked in Paris, Galerie de Valois.