103,500 CHF
Breguet No. 215, with the Paris hallmarks for 1789. Very fine and highly unusual, large silver, early " grande and petite sonnerie", quarter-repeating marine clock-watch. Three body, massive, Louis XVI, double backed, polished, by Amy Gros (Master mark). White enamel with Roman numerals and subsidiary seconds by Cotteau (signed on the enamel backing). Blued-steel Breguet hands. Notes Very possibly unique in Breguet's work, this watch was completed before the records, currently preserved by Maison Breguet, were begun, and it is therefore impossible to give an exact date of sale nor the price paid. However, according to the workmanship and various of the technical features, it vas undoubtedly made by the eminent watchmaker, shortly before his d eparture for Switzerland in 1793. The white enamel dial by Cotteau is very similar to that of the watch No. 125 5/85 of the present sale (see lot No.... ), and several others of the same period. The case is marked by Amy Gros Who made most of the cases for the early Breguet " montres perpétuelles". Breguet and Arnold were friends, and apparently worked together when Breguet visited England. Later, John Arnold sent his son to Paris to be trained by Breguet. There exist several early timekeepers made by Breguet that are fitted with the Arnold type of spring detent escapement. The compensation balance of this watch is very similar to those used by Breguet for his early "montres perpetuelles". It is very possible that this watch
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1993-11-14
