Breguet

• gilt movement, early form of straight line lever, early form of bi-metallic compensation curb on the regulator index • white enamel dial, Breguet numerals, symmetrical subsidiary dials for constant seconds and date, outer star minute divisions • polished case • dial singed and signed to the inner band

The present watch was exhibited at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia, 2004 and illustrated in the catalogue exhibition, Breguet in the Hermitage, Slavia, p. 68.

This watch is very characteristic of the early production from Abraham Louis Breguet between 1785 and 1787 from the same period as the first large model with 'perpetuelle' movements. The case designed here by Mermillod is also very similar along with the typical dials with Breguet numerals including minute divisions and five minutes stylised hour markers like fleur de lys, symbol of the French Royalty. From a technical point of view, the present example is also considered as one of the earliest known movement equipped  with lever escapements made by Breguet. This calibre is also unusual in the sense that it has the balance on the front plate beneath the dial with back plate for the escapement. It is in many ways a similar calibre to the 'perpetuelle'  fitted also with one of the first ever made jumping hour hand. Finally, the present example is also part of very few examples made with a ten minute repeating mechanism which makes it a highly collectable piece.