THE ART OF BREGUET
Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 14, 1991
LOT 85
Au Ministère de la Marine Marine Chronometer No. 4653, constructed between 1827 and 1831, the date of sale and price not recorded. Two-day marine chronometer, with double barrels, and waterproof bowl, in fitted mahogany box.
CHF 50,000 - 60,000
Sold: CHF 63,250
Case: Three part solid mahogany box with hinged and sprung observation panel in the lid, brass
handles and external fittings with oval gimbal
ring. Cylindrical brass bowl, the eccentric bezel
secured by screws with cork washer, with glazed
back, locked as required in the horizontal
position by a triangular pivoted frame beneath,
raised by a thumb-key. Apertures in the bezel for
winding and a square to activate the balance
stop.
Dial: Eccentric mat silver, signed: "Breguet
Neveu & Cie., No. 4653", with small circle for
Roman hour and Arabic minute numerals, a
subsidiary dial for seconds symmetrically
positioned below. Blued-steel poises hands.
Movement: Brass plates, bridge caliber, with two
barrels, simultaneously wound by means of an
intermediate dear, separately mounted platform
No. 134, with spring detent escapement,
bimetallic two-arm compensation balance. Freesprung
with helical blued-steel balance spring
with terminal curves.
In very good condition.
Diam. of dial: 75mm.
Dim. 210 x 230 x 203mm.
Notes
Note: The movement of the chronometer is contained in a cylindrical brass bowl with moisture protection provided by cork gaskets and the screw-fitted bezel. Winding is accomplished by a single square througfn the stepped portion of the bezel, with both barrels wound simultaneously, the intermediate and barrel arbor wheels alI having wolf's teeth. The balance stop arm is also engaged by means of a small square through the bezel, alleviating the necessity of inverting the bowl. A thick glass in the base enables the'back of the movement and the escapement to be examined; a necessity in view of the virtually sealed case. In its layout and design, this chronometer is typical of the double barrel type constructed by Breguet. The box and fittings of this chronometer are well refined; a hinged observation lid with a spring catch replaces the more usual sliding panel, an the system used to lock the bowl in the horizontal position is particularly elaborate. In all this instrument is certainly amongst the most refined examples of the double barrel marine chronometer as produced by Breguet.