THE ART OF BREGUET

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 14, 1991

LOT 62

A Monsieur Chalabre Watch No. 3237, sold on 5 April 1820, for the sum of 6000 Francs. Thin gold "garde-temps" watch with half quarterrepeating and centre seconds.

CHF 130,000 - 150,000

Case: 18 ct., two body, collier form, by Tavernier, No. 3663, engine-turned à grains d'orge, the back with bayonet fixing, by Joly, No. 5120.
Dial: Engine-turned silver, by Tavernier, signed: "Breguet et Fils", with Roman numerals on a plain reserve, and a small semi-circular regulator aperture. Gold Breguet hands.
Movement: Gilt brass, 17"', bar caliber, with female winding barrel arbor, counterpoised straight line lever with long lever, the escape wheel with oil retention slots, bimetallic three-arm compensaiton balance, spiral balance spring with terminal curves. Repeating on a single gong with one hammer through a steel intermediate spring block, with pull-twist piston through the pendant, slow/fast regulation through the band.
In very good condition Diam. 44 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image

Notes

History: Bought back on 21 December 1822, for 1301 Francs, restored completely to as new condition with a new case back made by Joly. Resold to Monsieur Pedro de Domecq on 11 November 1833, under the No. 5120, for 4000 Francs.
Note: This excepptional quality watch illustrates all the features that are normally to be found in a modern precision timepiece: centre-seconds, all the main pivots jewelled, counterpoised and adjustable straight line lever escapement, and a Breguet overcoil spring. In view of such an advanced technical specification, it is not surprising that in 1833 the firm was to rebuild the watch to "as new" condition.