Exceptional Horological Sale Celebrat...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Apr 24, 2004

LOT 52

Fleurier, probably by Bovet, repassé par Breguet, No. 650, made for the Chinese market, circa 1850. Magnificent and very rare large and heavy 18K gold center seconds two-train coach watch with "Grande et Petite Sonnerie" clockwatch, with movement engraving attributed to Alexander Gaille, and a special escapement.

CHF 80,000 - 120,000

EUR 50,000 - 76,000 / USD 62,000 - 94,000

Sold: CHF 146,500

C. Four-body, "bassine", concave ring inside bezels, spring-loaded back cover, gold spring-loaded hinged cuvette, bolt at 4 o?clock for silent/striking, and at 9 o?clock bolt for Grande/Petite striking.D. White enamel, Roman numerals, outer minute divisions. Blued steel Breguet hands.M. 100 mm (45???), gilt brass bridge caliber entirely chiseled and engraved with foliage, double train, double going barrels, ruby duplex escapement with ruby insert for the rest teeth and steel impulse pallet, steel escape wheel, cut-bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel flat balance spring. striking on two gongs with two hammers.Signed on the dial "Breguet", on the cuvette "Repassé par Breguet, No. 650"Dim. 120 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 29 - 01

Notes

This is one of the most spectacular coach watches from the mid 19th century. We know from the Breguet repair books that he sometimes accepted watches by other makers, generally as part of a trade with clients or suppliers. He then finished them, and on occasion the final product was comparable to his own watches. It is likely that Louis-Clément Breguet, Abraham-Louis Breguet?s grandson, appreciative of this watch whose ebauche was probably made by Bovet and was superbly engraved, finished it. It is extremely rare to see this type of watch made in Fleurier, with a movement like those of watches made for the Chinese market, and which was finished by the Breguet firm, probably on commission.