L\'ART DE L\'HORLOGERIE EN FRANCE DE ...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Nov 14, 1993

LOT 176

Breguet No. 4861, Horloge Marine à deux barillets, petit modèle, vendue à S.M. Louis Philippe on 31 October 1839 for 2260 Francs. Rare and unusual "Marine" chronometer of Royal provenance with double gimbals.

CHF 55,000 - 65,000

C. Double body with visible mortice and tenon joints, a massive brass swan-neck handle with lion paw brackets on the top of the box. Double brass gimbals, the outer with conventional locking, the inner locking lever now lacking. D. Frosted and silvered with small eccentric Roman chapter for hours with outer Arabic minute ring, symmetrical subsidiary seconds below. Blued-steel "spade" hands. M. Brass half plate, spotted finished with two barrels separately wound, the springs signed Vincent and dated 1829, navette-shaped detachable platform escapement with spring detent escapement, bimetallic two-arm balance with poising and timing screws, free-sprung polished helical balance spring with adjustable stud. Signed and numbered on the dial. In very good condition. Dial diam. 90 mm.


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Notes

Previously in the L. Leroy collection, this chronometer is not only of considerable interest as a result of its having been made for the King of France Louis XVIII, but also on account of its construction. The form of the box is more in the style of a travelling toilet or bottle cabinet, with its visible joints and single carrying handle, and the double gimbals are, if not unique, a most unusual addition. Clearly the box was a special order and therefore made for the King, as distinct from being an 'off the shell' chronometer. In view of the fact that Louis XVIII was not apparently a man with any particular love of the sea, it seems that the double gimbals were fitted to assist in absorbing the shocks and erratic motions associated with travelling by coach. This hypothesis is supported by the fitting of a single large carrying handle on the lid.