BREGUET | RETAILED BY RECORDON, LONDON: A HIGHLY IMPORTANT GOLD FOUR MINUTE TOURBILLON WATCH OF ROYAL PROVENANCE WITH ROBIN ESCAPEMENT, THERMOMETER AND STOP SLIDE FOR TIMING THE SECONDS 1808, NO. 1297

MADE FOR THE KING OF ENGLAND
BREGUET
RETAILED BY RECORDON, LONDON: A HIGHLY IMPORTANT GOLD FOUR MINUTE TOURBILLON WATCH OF ROYAL PROVENANCE WITH ROBIN ESCAPEMENT, THERMOMETER AND STOP SLIDE FOR TIMING THE SECONDS
1808, NO. 1297

gilded movement, Robin escapement with single lift mounted to a four-minute tourbillon carriage, free-sprung three-arm balance with adjustment screws, single arm steel cage, flat blued steel spring with terminal curve, the tourbillon carriage signed Breguet, Par Brevet d'Invention, fusee and chain, the backplate with winding sleeve, signed and numbered Recordon, London, no. 1297, gold Tavernier dial with multiple contrasting engine-turned finishes, central satin finished chapter ring with black Roman numerals for hours, minute ring to the edge, blued steel moon hands with elongated minute hand, two engine-turned subsidiary dials for constant seconds marked 'Common Seconds' and timing seconds marked 'Seconds for Observation', fan-form engine-turned sector to base of dial for state-of-wind indication marked 'Main Spring', sector for thermometer marked 'Heat, Temperate, Cold' above XII o'clock, the plaque above engraved 'Whirling About Regulator' and 'Thermometer', plaque beneath the chapter ring signed Recordon, 18ct gold case, the back of the case engine-turned and with bright cut sunburst decoration, cartouche to the centre with engraved Cypher of King George III - GR beneath a crown - the initials heightened with black enamel, heavily reeded bezels and band, stop slide beneath the bezel at II o'clock marked 'Marche/Arrête' and operating 'Seconds for Observation', gold cuvette with vacant oval cartouche, case back numbered 1297 and with maker's mark PB with a triangle above in lozenge-shaped cartouche for Tavernier, case back and cuvette with English hallmarks for 18ct gold and LC incuse mark of Louis Comtesse, accompanied by a custom made mahogany box, the hinged lid with ivory mounts to either side, blue velvet lined interior with matching watch pad, Bramah lock stamped J Bramah with a crown, key for the Bramah lock with ivory fob, with Breguet Certificate dated 7 September 1999 confirming the watch's details as recorded in the Breguet Archives
diameter 65mm

Condition Report:
Movement: running, start stop for 'observation seconds' is operational. Sector for power reserve appears to be indicating correctly. Temperature hand is periodically moving loosely within the sector.
Dial: in excellent overall condition, couple of minor spots.
Case: in outstanding condition retaining exceptionally crisp decoration to the case.
Mahogany box: some lifting of the veneer around the lock, one small piece of veneer detached above lock. The wooden base with velvet pad for holding the watch has been broken in two but it still appears to fit firmly and flush.

"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."

Provenance:
Malcolm Gardner, lent to the Five Centuries of British Timekeeping Exhibition, 1955

Property of a Gentleman, Sotheby's 9th November 1999, lot 78

Current private collection, purchased from the above auction