Lot 74
  • 74

BREGUET | YELLOW GOLD QUARTER REPEATING WATCH WITH CONCEALED PORTRAIT MINIATURE AND HANDWRITTEN INVOICE, SOLD TO COMTE ALFRED DE MONTESQUIOU FOR 2'700 FRANCS CIRCA 1818

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 CHF
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Description

  • YELLOW GOLD QUARTER REPEATING WATCH WITH CONCEALED PORTRAIT MINIATURE AND HANDWRITTEN INVOICE, SOLD TO COMTE ALFRED DE MONTESQUIOU FOR 2'700 FRANCS CIRCA 1818
Dial: gilt, guillochéCalibre: key winding cylinder Movement number: 3274Case: 18k yellow gold, hinged cuvette with miniature portrait and backCase number: 3274, 2898 and 2169 on cuvetteDimensions: 53 mmSigned: case and dialAccessories: Breguet handwritten invoice confirming date of sale in 1818, display stand and 18k yellow gold chain and key

Provenance

Comte Alfred de Montesquiou
Property of the Marquis de Brantes, by descent

Condition

MVT: running at the time of cataloguing. Repeating working correctly. CASE: in very good condtion. Engine turning to case back very crisp, and band well defined. Inside case back with some scratches to the back of the portrait plate. Light surface scratches to the dust cap. DIAL: engine turning in overall very good condition. Some very light scratches visible in certain light. Some minor loss to the enamel at I and XI, and to the dot at VIII. The bezel looks as though it would have accommodated a second crystal which is now missing. Please note that the movement has not been tested for the accuracy of time and may need a service at the buyer's expense. Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement and we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. You are advised that watch straps or bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator or crocodile) are not sold with the watch and we reserve the right to remove these straps or bands prior to shipping. Furthermore, the watch may not come with its original manufacturers strap or band. Prospective bidders should review the Conditions of Business, Authenticity Guarantee, the Guide for Prospective Buyers, and any Important Notice in the sale catalogue.
"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."

Catalogue Note

This very rare 200-year old Breguet quarter repeater is offered for the first time at auction as it was kept within a noble family over many generations. Accompanying this watch is an exquisite handwritten invoice from the year 1818, confirming the manufacturing specifics and the date of sale to the original owner Comte Alfred de Montesquiou for 2'700 Francs. In very nice condition the watch still retains well-defined engine turning to the back and its repeating mechanism is chiming nicely in phase.

A hidden miniature portrait can be discovered on the back of the cuvette. It is of exceptional quality displaying beautiful and consistent colours. The piece of art is crafted on a thin plate of ivory, signed by the artist 'Jacques' and dated 1819. The young attractive lady adorned with jewellery and a pearl-set tiara is Countess Alfred de Montesquiou-Fézensac, born Madeleine Perron. She was the daughter of General Pierre Cuillier-Perron (1754-1834), soldier of fortune in India (Perron jumped ship from the French Royal Navy off the Malabar coast in 1780, whence he made his way to upper India, enlisting first in the Rana of Gohads troops, and then under de Boigne, who appointed him to the command of his second brigade). Upon de Boigne's retirement, Perron became commander-in-chief of Maratha General Mahadji Sindhias’ army, defeating the Rajput forces at the battle of Malpura in 1800. In 1803, Perron defected to the British and subsequently returned to France with a large fortune, dying in 1834 at his Château du Fresne in the Loire Valley.

Comte Alfred de Montesquiou, who originally ordered the watch from Bréguet in 1818, passed it down the family. When Comte François de Brantes married Aymone, Princesse de Faucigny-Lucinge et Coligny (and great-granddaughter of the last king of France, Charles X), the watch was her wedding gift.

Bidders need to be aware that this watch cannot be shipped to France or the United States due to the presence of ivory. For every other location outside of Switzerland, it is the responsibility of the buyer to organize and apply for a CITES license, if permitted by the respective local laws, in order for us to ship it.