A Monsieur le Baron Schickler Carriage clock No.4712, first sold on 13 November 1819 under the No. 3135, sold to the above on 17 November 1827, for the sum of 6000 Francs. Gilt bronze carriage clock with "grande" and petite sonnerie striking, quarter-repeating, alarm and full calendar with phases of the moon. | THE ART OF BREGUET | Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, 14th April 1991

THE ART OF BREGUET

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 14, 1991

LOT 89

A Monsieur le Baron Schickler Carriage clock No.4712, first sold on 13 November 1819 under the No. 3135, sold to the above on 17 November 1827, for the sum of 6000 Francs. Gilt bronze carriage clock with "grande" and petite sonnerie striking, quarter-repeating, alarm and full calendar with phases of the moon.

CHF 200,000 - 250,000

Case: Multi-piece, cast and chased with corinthien columns, palmettes and floral motifs. Glazed sides, doors and top, with ribbon scroll handle supported by lion heads, on bun feet.
Dial: Engine-turned silver, signed: "Breguet et Fils", with Roman numerals on a plain reserve, subsidiary rings for seconds and alarm setting, aperture for phases of the moon with the age engraved on the border. Blued-steel Breguet hands, the Strike/silent, grande/petite sonnerie setting levers in the edge. Engine-turned gilt dial plate with apertures at the base for days of the week, the date and months of the year.
Movement: Rectangular brass plates, signed at the base: "Breguet & Fils No.4712", with single double-ended barrel driving the goin and striking trains, horizontal platform with lateral lever escapement, three-arm bimetallic compensation balance. Blued-steel Breguet balance spring. Striking and quarter-repeating work visible on the back plate, the bells mounted under the base. Pull-wind alarm and repeating buttons on the top of the case.
In very good condition Dim. 15 x 11 x 8 cm.

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History: This clock, manufactured in 1818, was first sold to Monsieur Fernand Munez, the Spanish Ambassador, under the No. 3135 on 13 November 1819, for the sum of 5000 Francs. Brought back by Breguet from the Duchess d' Ihard on 1 October 1827 for 2200 Francs, it was completely restored and sold to Baron Schickler under the No. 4712. Overhauled on numerous occasions at his request, it was still returning for regular cleaning in 1862. Note: This clock is virtually identical to the example made for the Queen of Spain, No. 3347. For further notes refer to lot No. 66.
GEORG HEINRICH DAVID ARTHUR, BARON VON SCHICKLER Baron Schickler was Banker of the Emperor of Prussia. His personal interests, however, were centered in France. Owner of the famous Ritz Hotel in Paris, he was also passionate about horse-racing. In pursuit of this he purchased in 1867 the ancient Château Martinvast in Normandy, built at the time of William the Conqueror, and created perhaps the most famous stud in France. One of his horses in particular, a thoroughbred grey - Le Sacy - was considered to be the greatest racehorse of all time. The Château was re-built by the English architect William White; a new wing and a gallery in the XIIIth century style were added to the existing Renaissance structure, already much re-built, around a mediaeval tower dating back to the original castle. Schickler also created an arborium of rare trees in the park which is still the centrepiece of the estate, despite the Château being much reduced by an extensive bombardment in January 1944.