63,250 CHF
A Monsieur Maleszewski Breguet, No. 255, sold to Monsieur Maleszewski on 29 Floreal an VI (May 5, 1798) for 672 Francs. Very fine, rare and important silver and gold early souscription pocket watch. Three-body, “forme quatre baguettes” by master casemaker Ami Gros, engine-turned back with gold center, bezels, pendant, and hinges, band engraved in an uncommon pattern. White enamel, Breguet numerals and outer five-minute track with 2 1/2 minute divisions, signed on the reverse “S. Cavé, Pl. Thionville, 266”, secret signature below 12. Blued-steel Breguet hand. Notes This is a rare example of an early Breguet souscription watch with its irregular plate design, the predecessor of the bridge design. It appears that Breguet made only about ten of these early souscriptions; very few have survived. The present watch is an important forerunner of the souscription watch, which was probably Breguet’s most commercially successful idea. Pierre Paul Maleszewski 1767—1828 Was a nephew of Polish King Poniatowski. He represented the King to the French Government, becoming secretary of the French Embassy in Vienna, secretary of General Bernadotte, the French Minister of Defense, and finally, controller-general for the army of the Rhine under General Championetta, later holding the same position in the Italian Army. In 1793 he married Jeanne-Françoise Venture. The couple stayed for five years in Paris, until Maleszewski’s departure alongside General Championetta. Upon departing for the Rh
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2004-11-14
