Breguet et Fils

• openwork brass movement, with Harrison's maintaining power and Earnshaw's spring detent escapement mounted on a signed and numbered kidney shaped plate, Arnold's three arm compensation balance, undersprung polished conical hairspring, with spring clamps and leveling facility, twin barrels turning a single fusee, wound through the glazed case back  • eccentric silver matte dial, Arabic indexes, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds • mounted in an octagonal mahogany box with hinged lid, glazed brass bezel and folding brass handle

George Daniels, The Art of Breguet, 1974, pp.84 and 157, figs. a-b

CASE Wooden exterior box in overall good condition with wear to the corners, some material loss at the lock. Scratches to the surface of the box overall. Interior of lid with wear, some denting, and missing material to the interior of the bezel, not visible from the outside. Exterior of lid with some wear. Interior wood portion where dial sits with some wear, some loss of glossy finish to the wood, patinated bronze. Interior of the box has had repainting at some point in its life. DIAL Dial in good condition with spotting and light oxidation overall. Light scratches overall, notable scratch at 1-2 o'clock, small nick to the dial at 8. Minute hand has been repaired, previously broken in half. MOVEMENT The movement is running at time of cataloging, however it was not tested for the accuracy of time or duration of the power reserve and may need service at the buyer's discretion. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement. We would recommend having the movement serviced.
"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."

Accompanied by Breguet Certificate number 4511 dated 24 April 2018, recording the sale of no.106 Montre Marine in an octagonal case to “Monsieur Ducom (Breguet’s Bordeaux Agent)” on 11 January 1816, for the price of 2000 Francs. The certificate further records the ebauches was made by Samuel Roy before 1800. Breguet’s earliest marine chronometers are numbered 104, 105, and 106 (the present lot).  No. 106 has the distinction of being the maker’s earliest known recorded sale of a marine chronometer in 1816.  Its sale predates those of Nos. 104 and 105, which occurred in 1817 and 1818 respectively, each selling for 2000 Francs.  Of the three, No. 106 is thought to be the only known survivor.  Work on the chronometers was believed to have started prior to Breguet’s exile to Switzerland in 1793.

The construction of these three early pieces testifies to the influence of the work of English watchmaker John Arnold.  Indeed, like many of Arnold’s marine chronometers, they are housed in octagonal mahogany boxes, see Sotheby’s London, The George Daniels Horological Collection 6, November 2012, lot 101.

The two makers became aware of each other’s work when they met during Breguet’s first visit to London in 1789. Their friendship and mutual admiration for each other’s work lead to the apprenticeship of Breguet’s son, Antoine-Louis, with Arnold in London.  At the same time, Arnold sent his son, John Roger Arnold to apprentice for Breguet. Unfortunately, the apprenticeships were interrupted when Breguet had to flee France in 1793 due to the Reign of Terror.

George Daniels, considered to be the Modern Day Breguet, wrote about No. 106,“The external appearance is remarkably like the early 1790s work of John Arnold. This further emphasizes the ties which existed between the two men,” see George Daniels, The Art of Breguet, 1974, p. 84 and illustration of the present lot p.157.

In 1815, Breguet received the title of Horologer de La Marine. Shortly thereafter, he sold No. 106.  From 1818, Breguet’s production of marine chronometers was well under way.

The Breguet certificate records that the ebauche for No.106 was supplied by Samuel Roy.  Roy was a Swiss clockmaker from La Chaux-de-Fonds, and was known to supply Breguet with ebauches per Breguet’s designs.  He is also thought to have supplied the ebauche for Breguet’s three wheel clocks, see George Daniels, Op.Cit, p. 80, for a discussion of Roy's work for Breguet.

Of further interest is that the Certificate also mentions the sale of the piece to his agent Ducom in Bordeaux.  Ducom represented Breguet in the port city of Bordeaux to sell his Marine Chronometers. For another Breguet Marine Chronometer also sold to Ducom De Bordeaux see, Sotheby's Geneva, 12 November 2013, lot 328.