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Lot Essay
According to the Archives of Montres Breguet, the present wristwatch with 14''' movement with bulletin adjustment, Guillaume balance, silver "old Breguet style" dial, covering bezel with blue enamel Roman numerals and blued steel hands was made in 1937 and sold on 21 December 1937 to Ch. Cahen d'Anvers for the sum of 7,000 French Francs.
This previously unknown watch is a highly unusual example within the family of Breguet's vintage wristwatches; the combination of the technical and aesthetic elements has never been seen in any other watch from the period lead to the assumption that it is a unique piece made by special order. In fact, to date no other example of such watch is known to exist.
It is part of an exceedingly small series of only a handful of watches fitted with Observatory movements made by Breguet and furthermore believed to be the only example featuring such half-hunter-style case with enlarged bezel.
The movement is of highest quality, a feature even emphasized in the archives of Breguet: the mention "réglage bulletin", bulletin adjustment, indicates that it was built to chronometer standards, including a large size Guillaume balance, to ensure utmost precision, even if an Observatory Bulletin has not been requested.
Possibly commissioned with these specifications by its first owner, Charles Cahen d'Anvers, its case design, reminiscent of 19th century pocket watches as used on ships, impresses with its large bezel protecting the dial while allowing to read the time without opening it. The combination of these two features pays tribute to Abraham-Louis Breguet's "garde temps", precision timekeepers with no further complication, conceived to carry exact time from one place to another.
Watch no. 3135 is an epitome of Breguet's classical design introduced by Georges Brown in the 1930s. These highly luxurious timepieces for his longstanding clientele feature not only the elegance but also the main characteristics of Breguet watches, including a gold case with fluted band and an engine-turned silver dial. These stylish watches were the beginning of a new collection, notably the celebrated "Marine" series, combining timeless aesthetics and highest technical craftsmanship.
Fresh to the market, the present watch and its combination of rarity and provenance must be considered among the most important collector's wristwatches of Breguet's 20th century production.
We are indebted to Mr. Emmanuel Breguet for his valuable assistance in researching this timepiece.
This previously unknown watch is a highly unusual example within the family of Breguet's vintage wristwatches; the combination of the technical and aesthetic elements has never been seen in any other watch from the period lead to the assumption that it is a unique piece made by special order. In fact, to date no other example of such watch is known to exist.
It is part of an exceedingly small series of only a handful of watches fitted with Observatory movements made by Breguet and furthermore believed to be the only example featuring such half-hunter-style case with enlarged bezel.
The movement is of highest quality, a feature even emphasized in the archives of Breguet: the mention "réglage bulletin", bulletin adjustment, indicates that it was built to chronometer standards, including a large size Guillaume balance, to ensure utmost precision, even if an Observatory Bulletin has not been requested.
Possibly commissioned with these specifications by its first owner, Charles Cahen d'Anvers, its case design, reminiscent of 19th century pocket watches as used on ships, impresses with its large bezel protecting the dial while allowing to read the time without opening it. The combination of these two features pays tribute to Abraham-Louis Breguet's "garde temps", precision timekeepers with no further complication, conceived to carry exact time from one place to another.
Watch no. 3135 is an epitome of Breguet's classical design introduced by Georges Brown in the 1930s. These highly luxurious timepieces for his longstanding clientele feature not only the elegance but also the main characteristics of Breguet watches, including a gold case with fluted band and an engine-turned silver dial. These stylish watches were the beginning of a new collection, notably the celebrated "Marine" series, combining timeless aesthetics and highest technical craftsmanship.
Fresh to the market, the present watch and its combination of rarity and provenance must be considered among the most important collector's wristwatches of Breguet's 20th century production.
We are indebted to Mr. Emmanuel Breguet for his valuable assistance in researching this timepiece.