THE ART OF BREGUET
Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 14, 1991
LOT 69
A Monsieur Dumouchelle (jésuite) Chonometer No. 3630, sold on 31 August 1824, for the sum of 2400 Francs. Silver "garde-temps" deck watch with double barrels. Original brass key and fitted mahogany deck box.
CHF 100,000 - 120,000
Case: Polished three body, demi bassine et filets form, by Joly, No. 378. Gilt brass cuvette signed:
"Breguet et Fils, Horlogers de la Marine Royale,
No. 3630".
Dial: Mat silvered, regulator type with outer
minute ring and subsidiary dials for hours with
Roman numerals, and subsidiary seconds ring
below. Blued-steel poires and lance hands.
Movement: Gilt metal, 26"', bar caliber with twin
going barrels individually wound. Spring detent
escapement, two-arm bimetallic compensation
balance, with parachute on the top pivot. Freesprung
with helical blued-steel balance spring
with terminal curves.
In very good condition.
Diam. 66 mm.
Notes
Note: In the explanatory pamphlet published shortly before his death in 1823, Breguet explains that this type of precision garde-temps was introduced to replace the old style pendues compteurs, which required to be stopped before they could be moved, Designed for use on board ship or for scientific observation, these watches are constructed on the same principles as the large 60 hour marine chronometers, with double barrel, detent escapement and Parachutes on both pivots. (The designs used in the pamphlet are reproduced on the fly-leaf of this catalogue). Considering that it was originally purchased by a Jesuit and subsequently returned-for repair by an Abbot, this particular watch may well have belonged to a teaching faculty or University, the Jesuits being amongst the leading teachers of science at the time.