Breguet - The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN Geneva Saturday, May 12, 2018 | Phillips

Create your first list.

Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.

  • Manufacturer: Breguet
    Year: 1978
    Case No: 956
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 725, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Tropic
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle
    Dimensions: 43mm Width, 44mm Length
    Signed: Case numbered, dial signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Breguet Certificate confirming production of the present watch in 1978 and its subsequent sale on May 28, 1984 for 4000 French Francs

  • Catalogue Essay

    A certain suave coolness literally oozes from this Breguet diver's chronograph. But not an ordinary coolness:a Miles Davis on stage playing the trumpet kind of cool.

    Discovering this timepiece that had not only never seen but never even heard of is one of those epiphanous moments in a watch specialist’s career where surprise, excitement and exhilaration merge into joy and enthusiasm.

    The present Breguet , bearing the number 956, presents the genetic codes of the flamboyant diver watches of the 60s/70s with its massive cushion shaped case, crown at 9 o’clock controlling the internal rotating bezel to time dives and matte black dial with luminous indexes.

    Breguet’s only known adventure into so called “tool” watches was with the Type XX originally made for the pilots of the French naval forces. However, as seen with the dive watch N°1613 also offered in this sale, Breguet experimented with dive watches but most probably decided not to pursue the adventure.

    The Type XX and aviation heritage is nevertheless present in this timepiece as Breguet interestingly used the Cal 725 also found in the Type XX and as such this piece is the first diver's chronograph we encounter which also has a flyback function, adding a technical twist to an already surprising watch.

    This explains the complete and utter novelty and rarity of this diver's chronograph in overall superb condition. A timepiece with a somewhat machismo arrogance yet sophisticated and seductive, this Breguet may be the chance of a lifetime to own such a unique timepiece.

  • 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.

    View More Works

272

An exceedingly rare and attractive diver's flyback chronograph wristwatch with internal rotating bezel

1978
43mm Width, 44mm Length
Case numbered, dial signed

Estimate
CHF20,000 - 40,000 
€17,100-34,300
$21,200-42,300

Sold for CHF62,500

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+41 22 317 81 81
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN

Geneva Auction 12-13 May 2018