THE ART OF BREGUET

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 14, 1991

LOT 60

Au Ministère de la Marine Marine chonometer No. 3199, model P, sold on 26 December 1823. Two day marine chronometer with double barrels, in mahogany box.

CHF 50,000 - 60,000

Sold: CHF 57,500

Case: Two part solid mahogany box with sliding observation lid, brass handles and fittings, brass bowl suspended in oval gimbles.
Dial: Mat silvered, signed: "Breguet et Fils, Horlogers de la Marine Royale, No. 3199", small chapter ring with Roman hour and Arabic minute numerals, symetrically positioned subsidiary seconds. Blued-steel poires hands.
Movement: Brass plates, bridge caliber with two barrels, seperately wound, navette shaped platform with spring detent escapement, No. 67, bimetallic two-arm compensation balance, with parachute on the top pivot. Free sprung with blued-steel helical balance spring, terminal curves and adjustable stud.
In very good condition. Dim. 17 x 21 x 18 cm.


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Notes

Note: This chronometer demonstrates Breguet's remarkable talent for approaching almost any branch of horology from a completely new direction. Technically it is quite different from the work of his contemporaries; double barrels replacing the customary fusee, and the escapement mounted on a separate platform for easy removal. In the small catalogue published by the firm in 1819 for the Exposition de prodiiits de l'Industrie française, Breguet summed up his reasons for adopting the new caliber (literal translation): "The two barrels act in opposite directions on the centre pinion, and the pressure of each is less than half that of a fusee; the oppposing direction of their force bears equally on tree pivots, which suffer much less strain and friction The wheel ..... train is completely separate from the barrel and the pieces of the escapement the latter (the .......... escapement) is mounted on a special platform, almost isolated from the rest of-the movement, which can be removed easily; such a design has the important advantage of allowing the work to be given to the most suitable craftsman..."