100,300 CHF
“A Monsieur Durbach” Breguet, No. 246, sold to Monsieur Durbach on 20 Nivose, An 6 (January 8, 1799), for 648 Francs. Very fine, rare and important, silver and gold, early “intermediate stage” experimental “montre de souscription” pocket watch with ruby cylinder escapement. Three-body, “forme collier”, polished back with gold center and blue champleve enamel monogram “CD”, gold bezels, pendant, and hinges. White enamel, signed on the reverse “Droz P”, Breguet numerals and outer divisions for five minutes, quarter and half-hours. Blued-steel Breguet “souscription” hand. Notes The present watch is an extremely rare and important example of the intermediate stage of the souscription watch. The caliber for the souscription was developed in stages, the first being a single-handed watch with the barrel in the center and the balance mounted beneath the dial. Of the three known watches with the first type of movement, one has a lever escapement, one an Arnold spring detent and the other a steel cylinder escapement. This watch represents the next stage of development, between the first model and the typical souscription caliber. It incorporates an overhanging ruby cylinder escapement and bimetallic compensation curb and the wheel train is in the same position as in the final version, however, instead of separate bridges, this watch has a circular backplate with cut-away for the balance wheel. The dial, whilst signed in the mature style is still attached in the early way with two
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2006-10-15
