Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Nov 16, 2008

LOT 94

Thomas Engel, ?Chronomètre? No. 8. Made in the 1980s. Very fine and rare, 18K yellow gold, keyless, ?Chronomètre ? Type Concours Observatoire? pocket watch with 30-hour power reserve, thermometer and calendar. Accompanied by a fitted box, certificate and spare mainspring.

CHF 15,000 - 20,000

USD 14,000 - 18,000 / EUR 9,500 - 13,000

Sold: CHF 16,800

C. Three-body, ?Empire?, screwed-down back cover decorated with engine-turning grains d?orge, polished band and bezel, gold glazed cuvette, ball-type swiveling pendant acting as the winding crown. D. Silver, radial Roman numerals on brushed chapter ring, outer minute dot divisions, engine-turned and whitened center, subsidiary seconds, thermometer sector at 9 o?clock, days of the week between 2 and 3 o?clock, aperture for power reserve indication. Gold Breguet hands. M. 22???, Cal.5011K, rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, stamped with Thomas Engel punch mark, 19 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, selfcompensating balance spring with outer terminal curve, balance and escape wheel pivots with shock absorbers, micrometer regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 56 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2

Very good
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

for his work. In 1972, he was awarded the ?Diesel Prize? along with Dr. Wernher von Braun, the rocket and space technologist. In addition to his professional interests, Dr. Engel is an expert on horological technique and history, and particularly that of Abraham- Louis Breguet. He is the author of the book A.L. Breguet: Watchmaker to Kings. He is, in addition, a famous watch collector and a passionate "self-made" maker of technically outstanding timepieces, which often incorporate stylistic and technical elements reminiscent of Breguet. These watches are known as the "Engel Breguets" and are highly isought-after by collectors.