92,000 CHF
Breguet et Fils, No. 1320, shipped to LeRoy, Constantinople for Monsieur Esseyd Ali Effendi, Sultan Beykan, on 13 fructidor an 12 (August 31, 1804), for 1,872 francs. Very fine and rare, early 20K gold and enamel pair-cased dumb quarter repeating watch, made for the Islamic market. Accompanied by the Breguet certificate No. 3230 dated June 29, 1907. By Tavernier. Outer: two-body, the back in red translucent champlevé enamel over "sunburst" engine-turning, with gold paillon work around the border, gold paillon rosette in the center, bezels in opaque azure enamel alternating with gold and pink enamel shell pattern. Inner: four-body, polished with reeded borders, gold hinged cuvette with winding aperture. Notes From Thomas Engel Collection The present watch is a classic example of the influence of Lépine’s work on Breguet. Indeed, in his early years Breguet often made use of the Lépine caliber, either in the form of ébauches supplied by Lépine himself, or of movements made in the Breguet workshop. For an example of a Lépine watch with a similar movement, see lots 45 and 46. Esseid Ali Effendi (d. 1809) Born in Morée, he began his career in Istanbul in the Chancellery of the Sublime Porte. In response to the arrival of Marshal Sebastiani as French Ambassador in Istanbul, the Sultan of Turkey sent Ali Effendi to Paris in a similar capacity in 1796. After a stay of three years, he returned to Turkey and was put in charge of the Naval Shipyards, eventually becoming Minister
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2005-10-16
