BREGUET | A VERY FINE GOLD QUARTER REPEATING WATCH WITH CALENDAR, YEAR INDICATION AND THERMOMETER NO. 1806 SOLD TO CAROLINE BONAPARTE, PRINCESS MURAT ON 25 MARCH 1807 FOR 4000 FRANCS AND LIKELY PURCHASED AS A GIFT BY THE PRINCESS FOR LE COMTE DE FLAHAULT

THE CAROLINE BONAPARTE NO. 1806

BREGUET

A VERY FINE GOLD QUARTER REPEATING WATCH WITH CALENDAR, YEAR INDICATION AND THERMOMETER
NO. 1806 SOLD TO CAROLINE BONAPARTE, PRINCESS MURAT ON 25 MARCH 1807 FOR 4000 FRANCS AND LIKELY PURCHASED AS A GIFT BY THE PRINCESS FOR LE COMTE DE FLAHAULT

• Movement: gilded, ruby cylinder escapement, plain three-arm brass balance, parachute suspension, spiral spring with regulator and compensation curb, repeating on a single gong, numbered to the top-plate beneath the dial 1806
• Dial: gold, satin-finished chapter ring, Roman numerals, subsidiary dials to the right for seconds combined with inner circle for days of the week and to the left for date of the month combined with inner circle for month of the year, the day, date and month each with arrow indicating their counter-clockwise progression, aperture between subsidiaries for year indication, sector above for thermometer, blued steel hands with jumping hour hand, signed Breguet et Fils, further signed and numbered with secret signature and numbered 1806 either side of XII, dial plate also numbered to the underside 1806
• Case: gold, engine-turned, fluted band against an engine-turned ground, quarter turn repeating piston in the pendant, secret inner concealed hinged cover with vacant reserve for portrait miniature, recessed pusher to the band with two settings, first releasing case back, the second releasing the concealed cuvette, further gold cuvette over movement with apertures for winding and regulation and signed Breguet No. 1806, case back refinished and numbered 1806, pendant with French control marks
• Key: with a gold chain, ratchet key and hinged blued steel pointed tool for engaging button for releasing case back and concealed cuvette, the blued steel tip hinged into a pink gold shaft
• Certificates: with a Breguet Certificate dated 1 April 1899 carrying the stamp of Desoutter and annotated by hand with David Salomons' collection number • further Breguet Certificate dated 18 August 2020

diameter 62mm

Condition Report:
Movement: running and repeating at the time of cataloguing. The year disc was not removed however, with the dial removed, the back of the year disc is clearly seen to be calibrated from 1902-1911 and as the current year visible to the front is 1901, it seems likely that the disc's front is calibrated from 1892-1901.

Dial: with scuffing to the surface, the hole for the arbor of the hands in the day/date subsidiary dial is uneven with gapping to the lower side, some indentations at the centre of the same dial.

Case: in refinished condition with clear engine-turning. No French hallmarks to inside back or either cuvette. Movement cuvette is lacking securing screw and is therefore loose. To release the case back the pusher to the band is pressed in lightly, to release the concealed cuvette the pusher must be pushed in deeper - at present the catch is slightly sticky and does not always release the secret cuvette.

"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."

Provenance:
Vendu à la Princesse Murat, le 25 Mars 1807, pour le prix de Fr. 4000 [from 2020 Breguet...