GE1304

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Lot 326
  • 326

Antoine-Louis Breguet

Estimate
6,000 - 10,000 CHF
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Description

  • A RARE AND HISTORICAL NOTEBOOK FROM ANTOINE LOUIS BREGUET CONTAINING PERSONAL SKETCHES AND WRITTINGS FROM HIS DAILY LIFE AT WORK AND HOME AS WELL AS REFLECTIONS ON PRECISE HORLOGICAL CALCULATIONS CIRCA 1820
  • Manuscript
  • Height 16.5 cm Width 10.5 cm
notebook set in a green leather morocco binding, hidden back compartment for his personal card,  cover with the title of M. Breguet Quai de l’Horloge N. 79 

Literature

Emmanuel Breguet,  Breguet Watchmaker since 1775, Alain de Gourcuff Editeur, p. 301-308.

Condition

This notebook has always been in the family since the origin, one can notice little signs of wear with a great patina to the green morocco, his writings and sketches both with ink and paper pencil are both personal from his daily life in his country house as well as professional for his horological calculations, this manuscript is one the rarest and most exquisite testimony from the son of Abraham Louis Breguet, Antoine Louis Breguet.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Catalogue Note

After the death of his father, Abraham-Louis Breguet, Antoine-Louis, 47 years of age, succeeded him as head of the family business. Business management was not foreign to Antoine-Louis Breguet since his father had kept him closely associated with his ways of management and research for many years.
For many years after the death of its founder, the House of Breguet continued to produce timepieces with surprising complications which also reflected the elegance and sense of artistic direction by Antoine-Louis Breguet. At this time, orders for marine watches also saw an increase in production.
Amongst his principal achievements, Antoine-Louis worked on the revolutionary device of the winding crown, which he unfortunately failed to patent. The keyless winding crown was, in fact, patented by the French watchmaker, Adrien Philippe, original associate of Patek Philippe & Co.
According to the Breguet archives, the Breguet No. 4952 sold to the Earl Charled de l'Espine, December 30, 1830, was equipped with a ‘knurled knob’ serving both functions : time setting and winding mechanism.
Due to his ability as a talented watchmaker, Antoine-Louis continued to manufacture watches which maintained the same standard as those produced by his father. 
Very interested in country life and scientific research, the main topics in his personal diary entitled "Mr. Breguet Quai de l'Horloge No. 79" Antoine-Louis finally bestowed power to his son Louis-Clément in 1833, ten years after the death of his father.