Breguet

• rectangular brass movement with canted top corners, two trains driven from the same barrel, anchor escapement, brass bob pendulum, steel rod with loop for the winding arbor, striking on a bell • white dial, Breguet numerals, outer minute ring, blued steel Breguet hands • rectangular veneered case, back panel sliding to reveal the movement, gilt brass bezel, chased gilt brass paw feet • dial signed

Jean-Conrad, Baron Hottinguer (1764 - 1841), was a banker and close friend of Abraham-Louis Breguet. Originally from Zurich, Switzerland, he began his career in Paris before the French revolution, opening his own banking business in 1786 and France's first insurance company in 1787. Wisely returning to Switzerland under the terror of the Revolution, he spent some time in London where he married the daughter of the wealthy Redwood family.
Hottinguer was amongst the 200 largest shareholders in the newly formed Banque de France, and he became the bank's Governor in 1803.
The records of the Breguet's firm list show that more than 26 clocks and watches have been either bought by Hottinger or given to him by Breguet himself.