Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

Hong Kong, Jul 10, 2005

LOT 370

Breguet, Horloger de S. M. I. & R. (His Majesty Emperor and King), No. 956. Made circa 1810. Extraordinary, 18K gold and enamel half-quarter repeating watch with special striking train and Robin detent lever escapement.

HKD 550,000 - 700,000

EUR 55,000 - 70,000 / USD 70,000 - 90,000

Sold: HKD 713,000

C. Three-body, massive, "Empire", by Tavernier, No.2223, with reeded band,the back with blue champlevé enamel decoration and goldclassical profile busts representing the sun and the moon, a wingedhourglass between, gold star and crescent moon border. Gilt brasshinged cuvette. D. Gold engine-turned with Roman numerals on a plainreserve, outer dot minute markers, eccentric subsidiaryseconds. Blued steel Breguet hands with skeletonized tip. M. Gilt brass,Lepine caliber with skeletonised and partly engraved bridges,free standing barrel, 23 jewels, Robin detent lever escapement with a rollerengaging the fork of the lever, plain brass three armedbalance, flat balance spring with Breguet type bimetallic compensation curb.Dumb repeating the hours, the half-quarters striking on agong, with push pendant.Signed Breguet on the dial and cuvette, signed Lallemand on the movement.Diam. 58 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3 - 40
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

It is well recorded that Breguet, from time to time, bought completed movements from top grade watchmakers, notably those who had trained in his workshop, as is the case with Lallemand. Certain of these watches are recorded in a special volume of the archives, this book is extremely difficult to use as they are listed in chronological order and not by their number. Only one volume survives for these watches, known as montres de hazard, covering but a few years. It is very interesting to compare three other watches of a very similar nature that have been sold by Antiquorum, these are signed by other makers but using this type of movement. The present watch is particularly rare as it is actually signed by and sold through Breguet. 1 - October 20, 1991, Lot 311. by Rieussec, Paris, No. 1746, circa 1800. This watch is extremely similar to the present watch including the case by Tavernier and the gold dial. 2 - October 18, 1992, Lot 480. Signed James Foggo, Paris, circa 1810. Foggo was known to produce watches in the style of Breguet and also is likely to have bought his movements from either Lallemand or Rieussec. 3 - October 12, 1996, Lot 339. Signed F. L. Godon, to The King of Spain, the movement signed Lallemand, the blank by Logeat.