THE ART OF BREGUET

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 14, 1991

LOT 23

A Monsieur Dragley Watch No. 1865, sold by Monsieur Moreau, on the 12 June 1809, for the sum of 2400 Francs. Gold watch with "à toc" quarter-repeating.

CHF 35,000 - 40,000

Case: 18 ct., four body, collier form, by Tavernier, No. 2696, the back engine-turned à grains d'orge with reeded band. The gold cuvette signed: " Breguet No. 1865".
Dial: Engine-turned gold, signed: "Breguet et Fils" , with Roman numerals on a plain reserve, subsidiary seconds at "IIII". Blued-steel Breguet hands.
Movement: Gilt brass, 22"', bar caliber, with overhanging ruby cylinder escapement, three-arm plain brass balance, with parachute on the top pivot. Blued-steel flat balance spring with bimetallic compensation curb on the regulator. Repeating with a single hammer on the case with pull-twist piston in the pendant.
In very good condition. Diam. 56 mm.


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Notes

History: The records indicate that this watch, manufactured in 1807, was first sold to a Msr. Aufresne for the sum of 2200 Francs, being collected on his behalf by Msr. Bethancourt. It was taken back for the same price and sent to Moreau, the Russian agent, who subsequently sold it to Msr. Dragly for 2400 Francs on 12 June 1809. The repair records indicate that it was returned on the 24 September 1829 by Monsieur Kisseloff on the instructions of Monsieur le Comte de Gervaise, Secretary to the Ambassador at the Hotel de Castille, and again by the Count himself on 23 August 1838.
Note: This watch is a good example of the Montre répétition de Première Classe , with a gold dial, a title that Breguet used to describe his best quality repeating watches with ruby cylinder escapement.