- 1146
A RARE SET OF GOLD MODERN SOUSCRIPTION WATCHES, Breguet, “SOUSCRIPTION SET”, NO.1, CIRCA 1996
Description
- Breguet
- wristwatch: diameter 36mm.
- watch: diameter 62mm.
THE WRISTWATCH
A GOLD SKELETONISED ONE MINUTE TOURBILLON WRISTWATCH
18k, skeletonised gilt lever movement finely pierced and engraved with scrolls and decorative motifs, one minute tourbillon with mono-metallic compensation balance, complete skeletonised dial, silvered off-center chapter ring for time with Roman, dot and lozenge numerals, blued steel Breguet hands, sector for graduated constant seconds combined with the one minute tourbillon carriage at 6, polished circular case with fluted band and down-turned lugs, water-resistant type case with press-down sapphire crystal display back, case, dial and movement signed, with an 18k yellow gold Breguet buckle.
THE WATCH
A GOLD SKELETONISED AUTOMATIC WATCH WITH DATE, MOON PHASES AND POWER RESERVE INDICATION
18k, skeletonised gilt lever movement engraved with decorative motifs, 28 jewels, mono-metallic compensation balance, massive platinum oscillating weight pivoted on the edge of the movement with spring banking, skeletonised dial, silvered outer ring with Roman and dot numerals, subsidiary dial for constant seconds with silvered guilloche center and aperture for passing dates, fan form sector for 45 hours power reserve indication between 10 and 11, sector for moon phases combined with lunar calendar between 1 and 2, blued steel Breguet and baton hands, large circular case with coin-edge band and glazed display back, case, dial and movement signed, movement further engraved "Breguet No. 1".
Catalogue Note
Souscription Watch
During the French Revolution, Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747-1823) conceived the idea of souscription while he was in exile in Switzerland. Launched by means of a publicity brochure in 1797, clients were all requested to pay a deposit (1/4 of the full price) for their advance order and complete the payment upon delivery of the finished watch. This clever markting approach finally allowed Breguet to remain financially stable during the tremulous times in the early 19th century. Another modern Breguet Souscription watch see this sale, Lot XX.
Tourbillon Regulator
Invented in 1795 and patented in 1801, the tourbillon regulator remains the most familiar of Abraham-Louis Breguet’s many inventions today. Since 1980, Breguet has started to produce a wide variety of wristwatches equipped with this famous tourbillon. Illustration of this model see "Breguet, Watchmakers Since 1775", 2001, by Emmanuel Breguet, P. 322.
Perpetuelle
The pocket watch contained within this set exists as a replica of an early pocket watch ("Perpetuelle") originally created by Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1791. With the platinum oscillating weight, the watch can be wound automatically while the wearer is in motions. Illustration of an early "Perpetuelle" see "Breguet, Watchmakers Since 1775", 2001, by Emmanuel Breguet, P. 89.