Important Watches, Collectors’ Wristw...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Nov 14, 2004

LOT 254

Breguet, No. 2374, made in 1935, sold to The French Aéoronavale on December 31, 1935 for 2091 Francs. Extremely rare silver anti-magnetic deck chronometer that took part in the Besançon Observatory Timing Contest, in original two-tier mahogany box and original mahogany carrying case. Accompanied by a Certificate of Origin.

C. Six-body, "Bassine", polished, three-piece inner cast iron cage encasingthe movement also from the dial side. D. Off-white, Arabic numerals, outerminute divisions, subsidiary sunk seconds. Blued steel "spade" hands. M. 42mm (19'''), frosted gilt, 18 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut-bimetal-lic compensation balance, Breguet balance spring with Phillips inner andouter terminals and anti-expansion brass affixes, punched twice with viper'shead Besançon Observatory mark.Dial, movement, wooden box and carrying case signed, the case, move -ment, cage and dial with the same serial number.Diam. 64 mm.The present watch, in remarkably good condition, was ordered by TheAéronavale; the movement was completely encased in a non-magnetic"Faraday cage". It was superbly adjusted for the Besançon ObservatoryTiming Contest and punched with their viper's head marks, and was fittedwith a very rarely seen anti-expansion device to prevent distortion to the bal-ance. The viper's head was the official Besançon Observatory hallmark.