59,800 CHF
Breguet a Paris No. 342, made between 1785 and 1787. Very fine and rare early dumb ten minute repeating watch with date and early lever escapement. Double body by Guillaume Mermillod, of the type used by Breguet for the very first series of perpetuelles, polished. White enamel with Breguet numerals and outer "star" minute divisions, subsidiary seconds and symmetrical small date ring. Blued steel Breguet hands. Gilt brass full plate, upside down with cylindrical pillars and going barrel, early form of straight line lever escapement without draw, plain brass three-arm balance, blued steel balance spring with an early form of the bimetallic compensation curb on the regulator index. Repeating on the edge of the case by depressing the pendant. Signed on the dial and the gilt brass dial plate. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity. Diam. 56 mm. Notes Note: Certainly produced between 1785 and 1787 and made at the same period as the very first series of large palpetuelles, this watch is characteristic of the finest early work by Breguet. The case, by Mermillod, who also made the cases of the early perpetuelles, is very si milar as well, and the white enamel dial is typical of the early examples made with Breguct numerals, with "star" minute divisions, and the five minutes marked by a stylised flour de lys. The movement carries on the dial plate the signature: Breguet a Paris, never used by Breguet after 1793. Of full plate calibre with cylindrical pillars, and going barre Read more…
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1997-10-18
