311,500 CHF
Timekeeper with 3 ComplicationsBreguet, No 220, sold to Comte de Montalva on October 28, 1847, for 4,000 francs. Extremely rare, fine and important month-going, weight-driven astronomical long case regulator with one-minute passing striking, annual calendar and equation of time, accompanied by a certificate. Mahogany, glazed on both sides and the front with gilt borders, rectangular cresting above molded cornice supported by ormolu-mounted corbels with ormolu band above, paneled veneered plinth mounted with cast moldings. Silvered and matte, Roman hour chapter, outer minute divisions, subsidiary seconds ring at XII, cut out to show the escapement, sector for the equation of time with engine-turned center at VI. Blued steel Breguet hands. Notes Of the 45 regulators listed in the Breguet archives, no more than 15 are long case regulators.What is an Equation of Time?The equation of time was developed to explain and compensate for the discrepancy between true solar time and mean solar time. The true solar day is the length of time between one local noon, when the sun is highest, and the next. The length of this day is not always 24 hours, as the hours between sunrise and sunset are not always the same. The variable rate of the true solar day is due to two factors: 1) the Earth's rotation around the Sun is an irregular elliptical course and 2) the tilt of theEarth's rotation axis relative to its orbit around the Sun. Our yearly calendar that we rely on is based on an equal Read more…
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2001-11-11
