115,000 CHF
A Monsieur Von Humboldt "Garde-temps" No. 3288, completed in August 1806, sold to Monsieur de Humboldt on 9 August 1818, for the sum of 1000 Francs. Gold "garde-temps" watch. Notes History: Manufactured under No. 144 and sold to Monsieur de Vindé, on 7 August 1806, in a silver case for the sum of 960 Francs. Bought back on 10 Jume 1818, for 600 Francs and recased in gold for Von Humboldt, who subsequently gave it to his friend and fellow scientist, Achilee Valenciennes. It was returned by Valenciennes on 1 December 1818 to be overhauled, and again on 21 December 1822, the 7 December 1825, the 7 November 1834, and finally on 28 August 1848. That the two men were colleagues is well documented. See Biologie Médicale, Volume LIV - 63èmc aimée. Numéro dors série de Février 1965: Une amitié de savants au siècle dernier: Alexandre Z70)1 Humboldt et Achille Valenciennes - correspondance inédite - par Jean Théodoridès. Literature: Illustrated and described in G. Daniels, The Art of Breguet, p. 245, figs. 279 a-c. Note: This is one of the first garde-temps watches made by Breguet. The dial with small fleur de lys marking the five-minute divisions and stars for the minutes, is characteristic of his work before the French Revolution. It is interesting to note the similarity between the balance and spring used on this watch, and the work of Arnold, in England, at the same period, as it illustrates the well documented co-operation between these famous watchmakers. John Arnold's
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1991-04-14
