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Lot Essay
With Breguet Certificat No. 2691 signed G. Brown confirming that the present tourbillon watch with Guillaume balance, enamel dial, First Class bulletin and first prize at the Neuchâtel Observatory was sold to Monsieur Jean Dollfus on 1st February 1926. Furthermore delivered with Neuchâtel Observatoire Astronomique et Chronométrique Bulletin de Marche dated 23 December 1925 and original fitted burgundy presentation box no. 986.
According to the Archives of Breguet, the watch, fitted with a Pellaton tourbillon and originally sold to Mr. Dollfus for the amount of 20,000 Francs (information not stated in the Certificate), was returned to them in 1954 and sold to Louis Harrison Dulles on 3 September 1954 (price not mentioned), a procedure not unusual at the time - several other watches made by the celebrated house for Mr. Dollfus were later taken back and sold to Mr. Dulles.
The present high precision watch is a most impressive example of one of the exceedingly rare tourbillon chronometers of Breguet's recent production. The ébauche was commissioned by Breguet and made by the celebrated Jämes C. Pellaton of Le Locle. Jämes Cäsar Pellaton, better known as James C. Pellaton, (b. 1873 in Le Locle, d. 1954), was one of the most esteemed 20th century makers of tourbillon carriages. He learned his craft from his father Albert Pellaton-Favre (1832-1914), also a highly respected tourbillon maker. Pellaton's tourbillons were supplied to the world's most celebrated watch manufacturers and are a class apart in the area of precision horology. In addition to the outstanding result obtained, these timepieces are distinguished by their esthetical concept combined with the highest technical perfection and craftsmanship.
Since its first public appearance in 1989, the present watch has remained in the same private collection, unused and locked away in a vault, until its consignment to this auction in 2011. It combines all aspects requested by the demanding collector, made by one of the world's most famous watch manufacturers, fitted with the most discerning complications, the tourbillon regulator supplied by the renowned Jämes Pellaton, a First Prize at the Neuchâtel Observatory and prominent provenance.
Offered here for only the second time at public auction and preserved in excellent overall condition, this masterpiece pays tribute to Abraham Louis Breguet's horological legacy. It combines past and modern watchmaking in a most harmonious way and is part of what is considered the pinnacle of 20th century watchmaking.
The Tourbillon
On 10 November 1801, horological legend Abraham Louis Breguet (1747-1823) received a patent for his ingenious tourbillon invention. Breguet designed the tourbillon (or whirlwind) to compensate for fluctuations and errors in time measurement caused by the position a watch is placed in. For example, watches with traditional movements may keep excellent time when resting on a desk horizontally, but when that same watch is placed vertically in a pocket, gravity affects the frequency or rate of the escapement and thus its accuracy.
Breguet's invention compensated for these gravitational effects by placing the escapement in a revolving carriage. As the tourbillon carriage revolves (usually one entire revolution per minute), its position constantly changes and consequently the fluctuations in rate caused by gravity are averaged out. Once a tourbillon watch is properly adjusted, the effects of gravity are essentially nullified, regardless of how it is positioned.
Precision timekeeping has always been vital to the scientific community, and in 1873, the first annual chronometer competition was held at the Geneva Astronomical Observatory. Rigorous quantitative internationally recognized testing standards were established. The testing, which initially lasted for 40 days, consisted of placing the watches in various positions and temperature conditions. The prestigious watchmakers Patek Philippe were awarded First Prize in the competition as early as 1884.
According to the Archives of Breguet, the watch, fitted with a Pellaton tourbillon and originally sold to Mr. Dollfus for the amount of 20,000 Francs (information not stated in the Certificate), was returned to them in 1954 and sold to Louis Harrison Dulles on 3 September 1954 (price not mentioned), a procedure not unusual at the time - several other watches made by the celebrated house for Mr. Dollfus were later taken back and sold to Mr. Dulles.
The present high precision watch is a most impressive example of one of the exceedingly rare tourbillon chronometers of Breguet's recent production. The ébauche was commissioned by Breguet and made by the celebrated Jämes C. Pellaton of Le Locle. Jämes Cäsar Pellaton, better known as James C. Pellaton, (b. 1873 in Le Locle, d. 1954), was one of the most esteemed 20th century makers of tourbillon carriages. He learned his craft from his father Albert Pellaton-Favre (1832-1914), also a highly respected tourbillon maker. Pellaton's tourbillons were supplied to the world's most celebrated watch manufacturers and are a class apart in the area of precision horology. In addition to the outstanding result obtained, these timepieces are distinguished by their esthetical concept combined with the highest technical perfection and craftsmanship.
Since its first public appearance in 1989, the present watch has remained in the same private collection, unused and locked away in a vault, until its consignment to this auction in 2011. It combines all aspects requested by the demanding collector, made by one of the world's most famous watch manufacturers, fitted with the most discerning complications, the tourbillon regulator supplied by the renowned Jämes Pellaton, a First Prize at the Neuchâtel Observatory and prominent provenance.
Offered here for only the second time at public auction and preserved in excellent overall condition, this masterpiece pays tribute to Abraham Louis Breguet's horological legacy. It combines past and modern watchmaking in a most harmonious way and is part of what is considered the pinnacle of 20th century watchmaking.
The Tourbillon
On 10 November 1801, horological legend Abraham Louis Breguet (1747-1823) received a patent for his ingenious tourbillon invention. Breguet designed the tourbillon (or whirlwind) to compensate for fluctuations and errors in time measurement caused by the position a watch is placed in. For example, watches with traditional movements may keep excellent time when resting on a desk horizontally, but when that same watch is placed vertically in a pocket, gravity affects the frequency or rate of the escapement and thus its accuracy.
Breguet's invention compensated for these gravitational effects by placing the escapement in a revolving carriage. As the tourbillon carriage revolves (usually one entire revolution per minute), its position constantly changes and consequently the fluctuations in rate caused by gravity are averaged out. Once a tourbillon watch is properly adjusted, the effects of gravity are essentially nullified, regardless of how it is positioned.
Precision timekeeping has always been vital to the scientific community, and in 1873, the first annual chronometer competition was held at the Geneva Astronomical Observatory. Rigorous quantitative internationally recognized testing standards were established. The testing, which initially lasted for 40 days, consisted of placing the watches in various positions and temperature conditions. The prestigious watchmakers Patek Philippe were awarded First Prize in the competition as early as 1884.