48,300 CHF
A Monsieur le Comte de Flahaut Watch No. 2200, sold on 21 August 1814, for the sum of 3000 Francs. Gold half quarter-repeating watch constructed on the principals of the "garde-temps". Notes History: Bought back from the Comte de Flahaut, on 1 April 1822 for 2000 Francs, this watch was resold on 30 November 1824 to Monsieur le Comte de la Ferronays for the sum of 3400 Francs. Note: Apart from the addition of a subsidiary seconds ring, this watch is virtually identical to the example sold to Maréchal Ney, No. 2121 (Lot 44). It was also originally fitted with an enamel dial bearing Turkish chapters, and Breguet supplied the present engine-turned silver dial on 8 February 1823 according to the workshop records . (See Lot 44 for a note on the movement caliber). Auguste-Charles-Joseph (1785 -1870) COMTE FLAHAUT DE LA BILLARDERIE From the day of his birth on 21st of April 1785, Count Flahaut de la Billarderie was destined to lead a most extraordinary life. Officially, the son of Charles-François Flahaut de la Billarderie, Camp Marshal, it was always in question as to wether he was really the son of Prince Talleyrand (as he, himself always believed) - or the English politician William Windham. His mother, who later became the Marchioness of Souza-Botelho and a famous novelist, was herself the natural daughter of the Fermier Général Bouret. With the death of his father under the guillotine in Arras in 1794, he was brought up in London and then in Argau, Switzerland, before
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1991-04-14
