An almost identical clock was sold by Christie's in London on June 10, 1998, lot No. 16. Benevent, papal city, enclosed within the Kingdom of Naples in Italy, was raised by Napoleon in 1806 to the state of a principality, to be presented to Talleyrand who therefore took the title of Prince of Benevent, which he kept even after 1814, when the city was returned to the Pope. Abraham Louis Breguet met Talleyrand in 1787 for the first ti me. His work was much praised by the diplomat who soon became one of his most enthusiastic supporters. Once, when Breguct was invited by M. de Talleyrand, he took the opportunity to demonstrate the efficiency of the just invented pure: c/ule. I-le was explaining this device to several of the guests when he dropped his watch to the floor. He then askecl someone to pick it up and was proud to show to the worthy company that the watch was still working perfectly. Then M. the Talleyrand exclaimed: Ce (liable de Breguel veal loujours hive aulrenteol que uzieux. Talleyrand did not only introduce the eminent watchmaker to most of his friends and foreign visitors, but also helped him in his business in several ways. For instance, Breguet could clispose of the diplomatic bag from the foreign office to sencl his watches abroad. Between 1782 and 1823, more than thirty pieces were sold by Breguet to Talleyrand, his family and relatives. Alexandre I, Tsar of Russia, when staying in Paris, rue Saint Florentin, at Talleyrand's residence, paid a visit incognito to Breguet chring the night of 30th to 31st March 1814. Thanks to Talleyrancl also, the Spanish Princes, virtually kidnapped at Bayonne by the Emperor and put under house arrest until March 1814, in the minister's castle of Valencay, used to buy several watches and clocks from Breguet. Finally, Talleyrancl introduced Breguet to Esseicl Ali Effendi, the Ambassador of Turkey in Paris, who opened him the Ottoman Market.