248,250 CHF
A Lord Paget. Astronomical watch No. 2835, sold on 23 March 1825, for the sum of 4800 Francs. Extra flat gold watch with quarter-repeating, age and phase of the moon, constructed on the principals of the "garde-temps". Original Breguet gold short chain and ratchet key. Notes Literature: Illustrated and described in G. Daniels, The Art of Breguet, p. 230, figs.251 a-c. Note: Both supremely elegant and technically brilliant, this watch is an example of Breguet's most refined production for civil use. An exceptionally flat repeater, it is fitted with the final development of Breguet's straight line counterpoised lever escapement, with jewelled pallets adjustable for depth, and with draw (the angle between the pallet stones and the escape wheel teeth, being such that in the resting position the lever is "drawn" clear of the roller, to avoid any frictional contact during the free arcs of the balance - Breguet was the first watchmaker in France to employ draw in his lever escapements). Furthermore, parachute type shock protection is fitted to both pivots of the balance staff, and the bimetallic balance is of the most advanced design with the adjusting and poising screws inset into the rim. The balance spring has a terminal curve of the form that has since become known as the "Breguet spring". Quarter-repeating is accomplished using a single gong with one hammer striking on an intermediate sprung steel block to ensure a clean and even strike and avoid potential extrane Read more…
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1991-04-14
