Breguet. A fine and large 18K pink gold à toc quarter repeating openface ruby cylinder watch

SIGNED BREGUET, NO. 1061, CASE NO. 47, SOLD TO MONSIEUR JOSEPH BONAPARTE IN 1802

細節

Breguet. A fine and large 18K pink gold à toc quarter repeating openface ruby cylinder watch
Signed Breguet, No. 1061, case no. 47, sold to Monsieur Joseph Bonaparte in 1802
With gilt-finished ruby cylinder movement, plain three arm brass balance with parachute on the top pivot, blued steel flat balance spring with bimetallic compensation curb on the regulator, à toc quarter repeating on two polished steel hammers onto the case, gilt cuvette, the white enamel dial with Breguet numerals, blued steel Breguet hands, secret signature No. 1061 Breguet underneath 12 o'clock, in massive, circular plain case, repeating through the pendant, together with a short length of gold chain and gold ratchet key, case numbered 1061 and 47, cuvette signed and numbered 1061, dial signed Breguet and numbered 1061
53 mm. diam.

拍品專文

Accompanied by a photocopy of the Breguet Certificate no. 4091 dated 11 September 1996 confirming the sale of the present "montre à répétition à cuvette" with case by Gros and enamel dial by Borel, à toc quarter repeating, to Monsieur Joseph Bonaparte in 1802, price unknown.

Joseph-Napoléon Bonaparte, King of Naples and Sicily, King of Spain and the Indies, Comte de Survilliers (7 January 1768 - 28 July 1844) was the elder brother of French Emperor Napoleon I, who made him King of Naples and Sicily (1806-1808) and later King of Spain. A faithful client of Breguet, he is mentioned on several occasions in Breguet - Watchmakers since 1775 by Emmanuel Breguet (pp. 187, 188, 204 & 206).
Joseph Bonaparte was a good politician and skilful diplomat, serving in the Cinq-Cents and as France's ambassador to Rome. In 1806, he was given a military command and then the crown of Naples. Forced, by Napoleon, to relinquish the throne in favour of Marshal Murat - Caroline Bonaparte's husband - he then became King of Spain.

His enlightened views on governing were shattered by a disastrous series of military campaigns in the Peninsula and, after defeat at Vitoria, he fled for France.

After the 100 Days' Campaign, Joseph spent 17 years in America before returning to Europe. He died in Italy in 1844.