Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 18, 1998

LOT 319

Breguet No. 1022, begun in 1864, completed in 1869 and sold to Mr. le Duc de Richelieu on 24 July 1869, for 5000 Francs. Fine and very rare 18K gold, hunting pair cased keyless Montre a tact, the a tact hand on the outer case, accompanied by the original fitted box.

CHF 20,000 - 24,000

Sold: CHF 27,600

C. Double body outer, "forme collier", engine-turned, the cover centred with a small crowned monogram, the back with the applied revolving "a tact" hand, the touch-pieces on the band engraved with foliage decoration. Inner three-piece, "Empire", engineturned with milled bezels, the band engraved with foliage decoration, the back with revolving "a tact " centre. D. White enamel with Roman numerals, outer Arabic minutes ring and sunk subsidiary seconds. Gold Breguet hands. M. 14"', gilt brass, 15 jewels, counterpoised straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, Breguet balance spring, the regulator index adjusted by a slide in the band. The "a tact" hand on the back of the outer case is driven through the inner case back, by an almost invisible device. Signed on the dial. Diam. 43 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 1

As new
Movement: 2

Very good
Dial: 21-51

Period

Partially reprinted

Notes

Breguet Montres a. tact, made after 1830, are extremely rare, even more so when they are keyless. This watch with the " a tact" hand on the outer case was certainly made upon special order and could be unique. Duc de Richelieu Armand-Francois-Odet de Chapelle de Jumilhac, Duc de Richelieu, pair de France before the establishment of the French Republic, was born on November 19, 1804 and his father was General Antoine de Jumilhac. At the death of his maternal uncle who had been ministre of Louis XVIII (May 17, 1822), Duc de Richelieu succeeded to his his titles and peerage by royal order. Rallied to the Orleans dynasty, he sat in the the Luxembourg senate until the February revolution. The Duc de Richelieu was made knight of the Legion d'honneur.