History: This watch, certainly a unique example, has a particularly complex and interesting history. Breguet delivered on S July 1822 to Monsieur le Comte de Panin for 1000 Francs a s i m u l a c r e de montre pour portrait (simulated watch for a miniature) of which very few examples were made, certainly in oval form. This was in fact the complete watch with case, dial and hands, but not fitted with a movement. The back was locked in place by a spring catch, but when removed revealed a hidden miniature portrait frame. At the request of Prince Scherbatoff, and for the sum of 500 Francs, Breguet completed the " watch" on 15 January 1884. He used existing small souscription calibre movement No.4977, which remained in stock, having never been sold, and the watch was renumbered 4761. Arthur Rubinstein was a friend of Monsieur George Brown and frequently visited the shop when passing through Paris. He owned a small collection of Breguets, including this example and often recounted to friends that another of his favorite watches had been stolen from his room at the Waldorf Astoria in New York during a concert tour.
ARTHUR RUBINSTEIN (1886 - 1982) Arthur Rubinstein, probably the most distinguished pianist of our century. Born in Lodz on 28 January 1886, he was the seventh child in a family otherwise bereft of any musical talent. At the age of 3 1/2 he was taken to Berlin to be tested by Joachim who pronounced: "This boy may become a very great musician". He studied in Berlin under Paderovski giving his first public performance at the age of seven. Rubinstein's lifestyle and personality were as enormous as his talent. A friend of Hoffmann, Chaliapin, Saint-Sans, Stravinsky, Casals and Picasso, he was perhaps best known for his interpretation of the works of Chopin. His last performance was in 1975 at the Wigmore Hall, London at the age of 88. Forced to stop playing due to failing eyesight, he died in Geneva in 1982.