THE ART OF BREGUET
Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 14, 1991
LOT 59
A Monsieur le Capitaine Baudin Chronometer No. 3230, constructed between 1818 and 1819, sold on 13 July 1827, for the sum of 1400 Francs. Silver "garde-temps"with original key
CHF 90,000 - 110,000
Case: Polished three body, of demi bassine et filets form, by Amy Gros, No. 666. Gilt metal cuvette
signed: "Breguet et Fils, Horlogers de la Marine
Royale, No. 3230".
Dial: Engine-turned silver, signed: "Breguet et
Fils", wide Roman numerals on a lain reserve,
subsidiary seconds beneath "XII'. Blued-steel
Breguet hands.
Movement: Gilt brass, 21"', full plate caliber,
relieved for the barrel and signed: "Breguet et
Fils, Horlogers de la Marine Royale No. 3230".
Fusée with maintaining power, spring detent
escapement with two-arm bimetallic
compensation balance, trapezoidal weights and
regulating screws of Earnshaw type, with
diamond end stones. Free sprung with bluedsteel
helical balance spring.
In very fine condition.
Diam. 59 mm.
Notes
History: This chronometer was delivered on 28
July 1819, to Monsieur Cailleau, travelling to
Egypt, against the account of the Minister of the
Interior, for the sum of 1200 Francs. Bought back
on 2 June 1827 for 800 Francs, it was then sold to
Capitaine Baudin.
Note: This watch is an example of the final development of the pocket chronometer by Breguet. A single barrel with fusee have replaced the double-barrel caliber of the earlier watches and the movement is of a more robust construction throughout. By the year 1818 when it was made, the English chronometer makers, particularly Earnshaw, had begun to produce such instruments in substantial numbers and supply them to both merchant and naval shipping. The advantage gained by the use of an accurate timekeeper for navigation was significant in the struggle between countries for trading superiority, and the French marine was in no less a need of such watches and box chronometers than their English rivals. If such instruments could be made reliable and not overly delicate, they could remain on board ship for longer periods between servicing. Furthermore, with the end of hostilities after Napoleon's departure from France in 1815, the market was open to competition from the English chronometer makers; indeed, Breguet adapted certain features developed by such makers as Earnshaw and Arnold (his respect for the latter being well-known, to the extent that Arnold's son passed some time training with Breguet), but as is the case with this lot, he continued to demonstrate the unique style of the firm, particularly with regard to the elegant design of the dial.
CHARLES BAUDIN DES ARDENNES Rear Admiral of the French Navy Grand Cordon of the Légion-d'Honneur (1784- 1854)
Charles Baudin des Ardennes was born in Sedan, on July 21st, 1784. In 1799, aged fifteen, he joined the French Navy and was assigned to "Le Foudroyant", a famous flagship of the time. As an ensign on board the frigate "La Piémontaise", he was to participate in a battle in 1808 against the English fleet in the Indian Ocean, during which he had his arm ripped off by a canon-ball. Although severely handicapped, he was able to pursue his career at sea. In 1812, he distinguished himself during another battle against an English brig in the Mediterranean. The year 1814 saw Charles Baudin des Ardennes attain the rank of Lieutenant Commander; he continued serving in this capacity until after the Hundred Days. Upon the second return of the Bourbon family, he decided to resign from the Navy, as he had vehemently opposed their rise to power. The man is said to have offered to transport Napoleon Bonaparte to the United States, although this has since been proved factually incorrect. Retired from active service, Charles Baudin des Ardennes founded in Le Havre a commercial firm which was soon to prosper, trading with a number of colonial possessions, especially those located on the African continent. However, aFter the 1830 Revolution, a series of bankruptcies affected the firm's credit-worthiness and Charles Baudin des Ardennes decided to withdraw from business - which he was able to do honorably - paying off all outstanding debts. Having decided to rejoin the Navy, he was ordered in 1838 to transport to Haiti a French commissioner whose mission was to settle the matter of the indemnity which France had imposed to the local Government. Force was to be used by the squadron in case of refusal by the authorities in Port-au-Prince to cooperate, which they didn't. Des Ardennes was received cordially by the President of the Haitian Republic. Charles Baudin des Ardennes had barely returned to France when he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral and dispatched to Mexico to put an end to the anti-French acts perpetrated against French merchants long established in that country - acts which had been condponed and even encouraged by the Mexican authorities. Obtaining no satisfaction, Charles Baudin des Ardennes attacked with four ships the fort of Saint-Jean d'Ulloa, a stronghold which had the reputation of impregnability. A few hours later, the fort was but a mere ruins and the French troops had managed to capture a number of Mexican soldiers. This military feat, which put an end to the quarrel between the two Governments, covered the French Navy with glory. In 1848, Charles Baudin des Ardennes was decorated with the Grand Cordon de la Légion-d'Honneur . In later life he became an eminent member of the Council of the Admiralty.
Note: This watch is an example of the final development of the pocket chronometer by Breguet. A single barrel with fusee have replaced the double-barrel caliber of the earlier watches and the movement is of a more robust construction throughout. By the year 1818 when it was made, the English chronometer makers, particularly Earnshaw, had begun to produce such instruments in substantial numbers and supply them to both merchant and naval shipping. The advantage gained by the use of an accurate timekeeper for navigation was significant in the struggle between countries for trading superiority, and the French marine was in no less a need of such watches and box chronometers than their English rivals. If such instruments could be made reliable and not overly delicate, they could remain on board ship for longer periods between servicing. Furthermore, with the end of hostilities after Napoleon's departure from France in 1815, the market was open to competition from the English chronometer makers; indeed, Breguet adapted certain features developed by such makers as Earnshaw and Arnold (his respect for the latter being well-known, to the extent that Arnold's son passed some time training with Breguet), but as is the case with this lot, he continued to demonstrate the unique style of the firm, particularly with regard to the elegant design of the dial.
CHARLES BAUDIN DES ARDENNES Rear Admiral of the French Navy Grand Cordon of the Légion-d'Honneur (1784- 1854)
Charles Baudin des Ardennes was born in Sedan, on July 21st, 1784. In 1799, aged fifteen, he joined the French Navy and was assigned to "Le Foudroyant", a famous flagship of the time. As an ensign on board the frigate "La Piémontaise", he was to participate in a battle in 1808 against the English fleet in the Indian Ocean, during which he had his arm ripped off by a canon-ball. Although severely handicapped, he was able to pursue his career at sea. In 1812, he distinguished himself during another battle against an English brig in the Mediterranean. The year 1814 saw Charles Baudin des Ardennes attain the rank of Lieutenant Commander; he continued serving in this capacity until after the Hundred Days. Upon the second return of the Bourbon family, he decided to resign from the Navy, as he had vehemently opposed their rise to power. The man is said to have offered to transport Napoleon Bonaparte to the United States, although this has since been proved factually incorrect. Retired from active service, Charles Baudin des Ardennes founded in Le Havre a commercial firm which was soon to prosper, trading with a number of colonial possessions, especially those located on the African continent. However, aFter the 1830 Revolution, a series of bankruptcies affected the firm's credit-worthiness and Charles Baudin des Ardennes decided to withdraw from business - which he was able to do honorably - paying off all outstanding debts. Having decided to rejoin the Navy, he was ordered in 1838 to transport to Haiti a French commissioner whose mission was to settle the matter of the indemnity which France had imposed to the local Government. Force was to be used by the squadron in case of refusal by the authorities in Port-au-Prince to cooperate, which they didn't. Des Ardennes was received cordially by the President of the Haitian Republic. Charles Baudin des Ardennes had barely returned to France when he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral and dispatched to Mexico to put an end to the anti-French acts perpetrated against French merchants long established in that country - acts which had been condponed and even encouraged by the Mexican authorities. Obtaining no satisfaction, Charles Baudin des Ardennes attacked with four ships the fort of Saint-Jean d'Ulloa, a stronghold which had the reputation of impregnability. A few hours later, the fort was but a mere ruins and the French troops had managed to capture a number of Mexican soldiers. This military feat, which put an end to the quarrel between the two Governments, covered the French Navy with glory. In 1848, Charles Baudin des Ardennes was decorated with the Grand Cordon de la Légion-d'Honneur . In later life he became an eminent member of the Council of the Admiralty.