THE ART OF BREGUET
Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 14, 1991
LOT 50
A la Reine de Naples Watch No. 2327, sold on 24 January 1814, for the sum of 1500 Francs. Gold watch with quarter-repeating.
CHF 40,000 - 45,000
Sold: CHF 48,300
Case: 18 ct., three body, quatre baguettes form, by Joly, No. 1906, engine-turned à grains d'orge. Gold
cuvette signed: " Breguet, No.2327".
Dial: White enamel, signed: "Breguet et Fils",
with Breguet numerals, secret signature below "
12". Blued-steel Breguet hands.
Movement: Gilt brass, 19-, bar caliber with free
standing barrel, overhanging ruby cylinder
escapement, three-arm plain brass balance, with
parachute on top pivot, flat balance spring with
bimetallic compensation curb attached to the
index. Repeating on two gongs with two
hammers, by pull twist piston in the pendant.
In good condition, with later red leather fitted
box of correct design.
Diam. 50 mm.
Notes
History: The records indicate that this watch was
bought back on 26 May 1814, and resold to
Monsieur Meunier, brother-in-law of Violette for
the sum of 1320 Francs.
Bought back on 2 September 1816, for 1200
Francs, and resold to Hottinger on 17 February
1817, for the sum of 1523 Francs.
In January 1827, the watch belonged to a
Monsieur D'Escherny, rue d'Artois No. 9, Paris.
CAROLINE BONAPARTE Queen of Naples (1782 -1839)
Caroline Bonaparte was not only the great Emperor's youngest sister, she was also held in deep esteem by him. Caroline had barely turned fifteen when she was summoned to her brother's side at Mobrello Castle, where he was resting after having defeated the Austro-Sardinians. There she fell in love with Brigadier-General Joachim Murat, cavalier of repute, and one of Napoleon Bonaparte's most loyal servants. After the Brumaire coup d'Etat, Murat asked the First Consul for his sister's hand, and the wedding was celebrated on January 20th, 1800. In Paris, the newly-weds bought the magnificent Thélusson hotel where they gave sumptuous receptions. But this luxury did not suffice. Caroline nurtured many ambitions and these grew with each success enjoyed by her brother on the battlefields of Europe. In the days following the proclamation of the Empire, she strove hard to obtain the title of Imperial Highness. After the battle of Austerlitz, Napoleon generously handed out to his entourage the kingdoms he had conquered, but in so doing happened to neglect the Murats somewhat. Sensing bitterness on their part, the Emperor decided in 1806 to create for his brother-in-law the Grand Duchy of Berg and Clèves. This was to be the first step towards a crown which, by now, the couple was desperately seeking. In 1808, Napoleon decided that his brother Joseph should become King of Spain, thus causing further disappointment to Caroline. But later the same year, the news so long awaited finally arrived : Murat was to be given the Kingdom of Naples, where he would rule under the name of Joachim I. Accompanied by her suite, Caroline left for Naples on September 25th, 1808, arriving in the city eighteen days later, amidst enthusiastic applause from the welcoming crowds. Unfortunately for her, she was soon to discover that her husband was not keen on sharing the reins of power. It was not until 1812, when Murat left Naples to join the Emperor's Great Army in Russia, that Caroline was able to take on the regency, a function she fulfilled with unrelenting dedication. Murat's unexpected return to Naples caused a few ripples in the Kingdom, as he promptly decided to cancel a number of his wife's decrees. A few weeks later though, Napoleon summoned Murat back to Germany for yet another battle to be fought, and Caroline was once again left with the responsibility - which she relished - of governing on her own. By now, the Emperor's fortunes had begun to take a turn for the worse and Caroline, although still sending messages of support to her brother, decided to seek alliance with the Austrians. She felt this to be the only way of safeguarding a throne which was beginning to look fragile. In fact, Murat was more ambitious than his wife : his intentions were purely and simrly to unify Italy under his rule. But history was to decide otherwise. Whilst Murat was being subjected to a humiliating defeat in the battle of Torentino (May 3rd, 1815), his wife was forced into surrendering to Commodore Campbell and thus give up the last illusions of power she still harbored. She fled to Austria and set up house in the Hainbourg Castle. The year of her brother's death was to be a period of financial strife and bitter frustrations for Caroline, as she tried unsuccessfully to obtain from Louis XVIII the restitution of a number of properties she still owned in France. Following the July Revolution, Caroline was finally permitted to settle in Paris where she was granted a yearly allowance of 100'000 Francs. Her tumultuous life was to end on May 18th, 1839, in the elegant surroundings of the Griffoni Palace in Florence, where she had returned to finish her days in tranquility.
CAROLINE BONAPARTE Queen of Naples (1782 -1839)
Caroline Bonaparte was not only the great Emperor's youngest sister, she was also held in deep esteem by him. Caroline had barely turned fifteen when she was summoned to her brother's side at Mobrello Castle, where he was resting after having defeated the Austro-Sardinians. There she fell in love with Brigadier-General Joachim Murat, cavalier of repute, and one of Napoleon Bonaparte's most loyal servants. After the Brumaire coup d'Etat, Murat asked the First Consul for his sister's hand, and the wedding was celebrated on January 20th, 1800. In Paris, the newly-weds bought the magnificent Thélusson hotel where they gave sumptuous receptions. But this luxury did not suffice. Caroline nurtured many ambitions and these grew with each success enjoyed by her brother on the battlefields of Europe. In the days following the proclamation of the Empire, she strove hard to obtain the title of Imperial Highness. After the battle of Austerlitz, Napoleon generously handed out to his entourage the kingdoms he had conquered, but in so doing happened to neglect the Murats somewhat. Sensing bitterness on their part, the Emperor decided in 1806 to create for his brother-in-law the Grand Duchy of Berg and Clèves. This was to be the first step towards a crown which, by now, the couple was desperately seeking. In 1808, Napoleon decided that his brother Joseph should become King of Spain, thus causing further disappointment to Caroline. But later the same year, the news so long awaited finally arrived : Murat was to be given the Kingdom of Naples, where he would rule under the name of Joachim I. Accompanied by her suite, Caroline left for Naples on September 25th, 1808, arriving in the city eighteen days later, amidst enthusiastic applause from the welcoming crowds. Unfortunately for her, she was soon to discover that her husband was not keen on sharing the reins of power. It was not until 1812, when Murat left Naples to join the Emperor's Great Army in Russia, that Caroline was able to take on the regency, a function she fulfilled with unrelenting dedication. Murat's unexpected return to Naples caused a few ripples in the Kingdom, as he promptly decided to cancel a number of his wife's decrees. A few weeks later though, Napoleon summoned Murat back to Germany for yet another battle to be fought, and Caroline was once again left with the responsibility - which she relished - of governing on her own. By now, the Emperor's fortunes had begun to take a turn for the worse and Caroline, although still sending messages of support to her brother, decided to seek alliance with the Austrians. She felt this to be the only way of safeguarding a throne which was beginning to look fragile. In fact, Murat was more ambitious than his wife : his intentions were purely and simrly to unify Italy under his rule. But history was to decide otherwise. Whilst Murat was being subjected to a humiliating defeat in the battle of Torentino (May 3rd, 1815), his wife was forced into surrendering to Commodore Campbell and thus give up the last illusions of power she still harbored. She fled to Austria and set up house in the Hainbourg Castle. The year of her brother's death was to be a period of financial strife and bitter frustrations for Caroline, as she tried unsuccessfully to obtain from Louis XVIII the restitution of a number of properties she still owned in France. Following the July Revolution, Caroline was finally permitted to settle in Paris where she was granted a yearly allowance of 100'000 Francs. Her tumultuous life was to end on May 18th, 1839, in the elegant surroundings of the Griffoni Palace in Florence, where she had returned to finish her days in tranquility.