A Monsieur le Baron Schickler. Watch No. 4987, sold on 4 June 1836, for the sum of 6000 Francs. Gold watch with independent jump centreseconds, half quarter-repeating, date and weekday calendar with phase and age of the moon, constructed on the principals of the "gardetemps". | THE ART OF BREGUET | Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, 14th April 1991

THE ART OF BREGUET

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 14, 1991

LOT 91

A Monsieur le Baron Schickler. Watch No. 4987, sold on 4 June 1836, for the sum of 6000 Francs. Gold watch with independent jump centreseconds, half quarter-repeating, date and weekday calendar with phase and age of the moon, constructed on the principals of the "gardetemps".

CHF 80,000 - 120,000

Case: 18ct., three piece, No. B.4987, sealed closed by means of a screw in the bezel, with narrow engine-turned band, the bezels, pendant and bow chased with fruit and foliage, back engraved with foliate scrollwork and the arms of Baron Schickler.
Dial: Silver, engraved with foliate scrollwork, signed: "Breguet", with Roman numerals, centreseconds and subsidiary dials for date and continuous seconds, apertures for days of the week and phases of the moon with the age engraved on the border. Gold Breguet hands.
Movement: Gilt brass, 19"', bar caliber, the barrel with female winding square, counterpoised straight line lever escapement with long lever, bimetallic two-arm compensation balance with parachutes on both pivots. Bluedsteel Breguet balance spring. Repeating on a single gong with one hammer through a steel intermediate spring block, with slide in the band. Independent jumping dead centre-seconds of Breguet's pattern, with disengaging push-piece in the pendant and locking bolt in the band. In very good condition. Diam. 46mm

LOADING IMAGES

Image

Notes

History: The history of this watch is particularly interesting and apparently unique in Breguet's work. According to the manufacturing books, Breguet delivered only the movement to Baron Schickler, without the dial or case. However, the original Notice (certificate) dated 4 June 1836 and issued to Baron Schickler, describes in complete detail the movement, case and dial as they are to be found today, and the case is numbered correspondingly B.4987. It would appear that the firm of Breguet considered the Baron as an important and privileged client, for, departing from usual practice, they delivered only the movement and the case and dial were undoubtedly made to his design, possibly in Germany as there are no French control marks. The movement alone cost some 6000 Francs, an enormous sum for the period. Evidence supporting the importance of Baron Schickler as a client of the firm can be found in the sales books of the period, where more than 20 watches and clocks are recorded as being sold to him in just over 10 years. Furthermore, his taste for a more decorative style of casework may be seen in watch No.4606 (lot 90) for which matching patch and pill boxes were also made. The repair books record that this watch was returned regularly for overhaul, beginning on 26 June 1837, and always at the request of Baron Schickler. Note: The jump-seconds, as developed by Breguet, and used in this watch, achieves the same result as the system developed by the Swiss watchmaker Moïse Pouzait, and occasionally used by other makers, although it is more reliable in operation. It requires no additional train of wheels. Such a mechanism, when combined with quarter-repeating, calendar work, subsidiary seconds and a moon phase is extremely rare.