The Private Collection of Theodor Beyer

Hotel Baur Au Lac, Zurich, Nov 16, 2003

LOT 38

Oudin, No. 253, "Eleve de Breguet, Rue Vivienne No. 7", dated an 1806. Exceptionally fine and equally rare 20K gold double-barrel self-winding perpetuelle watch with quarter-repeating, 60-minute power reserve indication, Réaumur thermometer, and Robin chronometer-lever escapement, most likely made for the Exposition des produits de l'industrie française, 1806-1807.

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Sold: CHF 333,500

C. Four-body, massive, "Empire", by Tavernier, No. 2544, engine-turned back with small initial disc in the center, reeded band, gilt brass hinged cuvette. D. White enamel, Breguet numerals, outer minute divisions, up-and-down sector at 3 o'clock, symmetrically to the left Réaumur thermometer scale (from 0 to 30), subsidiary seconds, signed "L" on the reverse, secured by a single screw. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. 53.8 mm (24'''), gilt brass, bridge caliber with skeletonized bridge over the barrels wound by ogival platinum weight swinging on a pivoted arm between two spring-loaded roller bumpers winding both barrels simultaneously via wolf-tooth transmission with over-winding prevention mechanism, Robin escapement with jeweled pallets, impulse and unlocking pins, 3-arm cut bimetallic compensation balance with sliding temperature weights, each with platinum screw, 3 platinum mean-time screws and three gold poising screws, flat blued steel balance spring, entire escapement jeweled andapped with endstones on the balance and the escape wheel, entire train jeweled, winding transmission with steel end-plates, Breguet-type repetition system with single hammer and Breguet style short thick rectangular single gong, LeRoy anchor governor, activated via pull-and-twist piston in the band at 11 o'clock.Signed on the dial and cuvette, case punched with Tavernier's Master mark and French government gold marks.Diam. 60 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3

Good
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

Charles Oudin, born in Clermont in 1772. He was a pupil of Breguet and one of his best foremen. He devised a way of fitting equation of time to souscription watches. Oudin was in business on his own in the Galerie de Pierre, Palais Royal, from circa 1804 to 1825, and was then succeeded by his son, who transferred the firm to Galerie Montpensier, 1830-1840, and subsequently took Détouche into partnership. A. Charpentier was the successor to Oudin Fils, using the signature: Charles Oudin à Paris, Horloger de L.L. M.M., l'Empereur et l'Impératrice de Russie. To accompany the display at the 1862 Exhibition in London, Oudin-Charpentier produced a book entitled: "Catalogue of Chief Exhibits by Oudin-Charpentier, principal clockmaker to their Majesties The Queen and King of Spain and to the Imperial Navy". Oudin-Charpentier was made official watchmaker of the French Navy: a mosaic which still exists today, at No. 52 Place du Palais Royal, bears witness to his title " Horloger de la Marine Nationale ".Considering the quality of his work, it is surprising that so little is recorded about his life. The Oudin Company perpetuated the Breguet tradition. They continued, though on rare occasions, to make exceptional self-winding watches, as late as the 1860s 8for example see Antiquorum, April 19, 1988, lot 276).