Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

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

LOT 14

?A Monsieur Bergeront? Breguet, No. 383, sold to Monsieur Bergeront on 6 Frimaire, An 7 (November 27, 1799), for 600 Francs. Very fine and very rare, early experimental, silver and gold ?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 82,600

C. Three-body, ?forme collier?, No. 314 by Guillaume Mermillod (master mark), polished band, engine-turned back with central engraved initials ?JB?, yellow gold bezel and border. D. White enamel, Breguet numerals, outer divisions for the five minutes, quarter and half-hours, secret signature below 12. Blued steel ?souscription? hand. M. Gilt brass, 25???, souscription caliber with central barrel wound from the front only, early form of third and fourth wheel bridge, overhanging ruby cylinder escapement, three-arm plain brass balance, flat balance spring, bimetallic temperature compensation curb on the index regulator. Dial and movement signed. Diam. 62 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3-16

Good

Rusted
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 4-45-01

Fair

HANDS Original

Notes

The present watch is one of the very rare surviving examples of an early souscription watch at the stage just before the final development of the souscription calibre. The distinguishing features of this are the early cursive type signature, early form of third and fourth wheel bridges (curved not straight), winding from the front only and the balance spring pinned to the underside of the balance cock. The dial has the earlier method of attachment to the movement by two screws from the back as opposed to the final method of a single screw from the front. For a note about souscription watches, see pages 32-33.