Breguet - Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR Geneva Friday, November 11, 2016 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Breguet
    Year: 1938
    Movement No: 4096
    Case No: 53347
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13''', 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel buckle
    Dimensions: 32.5mm. Diameter
    Signed: Dial signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by a letter from Breguet confirming the present watch was manufactured in 1938, and subsequently sold on June 10, 1939.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Breguet’s earliest chronograph wristwatches can be traced back to 1935. These early examples are extremely sought after amongst collectors, and were the guiding predecessors for the firm’s most recognizable wristwatch of the mid 20th-century - the “Type XX”. The present example was made in 1938, and showcases Breguet’s pioneering design skill in wristwatch chronographs. Its elegance rests in its high quality craftsmanship and simplistic design for which the brand is best known. Fresh to the market, it is fitted with a rare black dial that over the years has taken on a beautiful “tropical” shade of dark brown. Enhancing its beauty is the crisp, copper colored printing, with a tachymeter scale along its outer circumference.
    For a watch like this to have survived over 70 years with no signs of restorations is remarkable. The stainless steel case, with its original crown and olive-shaped pushers, remains crisp and in overall excellent condition, illustrating how carefully its past owner wore and preserved it. This watch comes accompanied with a certificate from Breguet confirming the authenticity of this watch, and indicating that it was in fact sold on June 10, 1939 for 2,800 FFR. One of the earliest examples of a Breguet chronograph wristwatch, together with its superb overall condition makes this a unique opportunity for collectors of vintage steel chronographs.

  • Artist Biography

    Breguet

    Swiss • 1775

    Established in 1775 by Abraham Louis Breguet, widely considered the greatest watchmaker of all time, the storied brand continues to thrive in the modern era, creating exceptional high-end watches as the Swatch Group's premier prestige brand. Some of the most important and lasting inventions in watchmaking are attributed to Abraham Louis Breguet, including the tourbillon, shock resistance and the use of hammers and gongs employed in nearly all minute repeating watches made since.

    Eighteenth and nineteenth century Breguet pocketwatches are especially sought-after by collectors, and many of them were made for the elite of European society, including Napoléon and Marie Antoinette. Key wristwatches from the twentieth century include oversized dress watches, two-register chronographs, triple calendars and Type XX aviator's chronographs made for the French military and civilians.

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An extremely rare and elegant stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with 'tropical' black sector dial

1938
32.5mm. Diameter
Dial signed

Estimate
CHF40,000 - 60,000 
€36,700-55,100
$41,200-61,800

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR

Geneva Auctions 12 – 13 November 2016