119,000 CHF
Breguet et Fils, No. 2972, "Garde Temps", sold to Prince Rasoumovsky on September 28, 1816, for3,000 francs.Very fine, rare, and historically important 18K gold, early minute-repeating watch, accompanied by a Breguet certificate. Four-body, "forme quatre baguettes", by Joly, No. 2072, engine turned back, band and bezels, gold detachable cuvette with winding and regulating apertures. Silver, radial Roman numerals on sanded ring, outer minute dot divisions, engine-turned center and edge. blued steel, Breguet hands. Notes Prince Andrei Kyrilovich Rasoumovsky(St Petersburg, 1752 - Vienna, 1836)Son of Count Cyril, he was named ambassador to the Viennese court in 1793, he took part in the negotiations that resulted in the division of Poland. During his stay in Austria, Rasoumovsky also prepared the treaties for the coalition and alliance against France. He attended the Congresses of Chatillon and Vienna, where he was one of the signers of the declaration of March 13, 1815, against Napoleon who had escaped from Elba. He was made a prince at the same time as Metternich, just a year beforethe purchase of the watch. Rasoumovsky, considered one of most eminent European diplomats of his time, is mostly remembered as having been a friend and patron of Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827), who dedicated three of his string quartets to him. Breguet entrusted the "repassage" (the correct adjustment of all parts) of the watch to one of his best workmen, Charles Oudin.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2001-11-11
