Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Du Rhône, Oct 15, 2006

LOT 13

?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.

CHF 65,000 - 85,000

EUR 40,000 - 55,000 / USD 53,000 - 70,000

Sold: CHF 100,300

C. Three-body, ?forme collier?, polished back with gold center and blue champleve enamel monogram ?CD?, gold bezels, pendant, and hinges. D. 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. M. 56 mm (25'''), frosted gilt, early asymmetrical-plate, central barrel wound from the front only, wheel train at the outer edge, overhanging Breguet ruby cylinder escapement, three-arm brass balance with three steel pins on the inner rim, blued steel flat balance spring, bimetallic temperature compensation curb on the index regulator. Dial and movement signed, case punched with the serial number. Diam. 61 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3-15

Good

Slightly rusted
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-40-01

Good

HANDS Original

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 screws from the back. For a note about souscription watches, see pages 32-33. Literature: George Daniels, ?The Art of Breguet?, 1977, p. 170, 127a-c & 128a-b.