Breguet - Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR Geneva Friday, November 11, 2016 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Breguet
    Year: 1948
    Case No: 123'717
    Model Name: N° 267
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. Valjoux 88, 25 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel riveted expandable bracelet, 195mm length
    Clasp/Buckle: Folding deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 37mm. Diameter
    Signed: Dial signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Breguet manufactured many superlative chronographs over its long history - from the collectible and sought after Type XX, made for the French navy in the 1950s, to more complicated chronograph models with triple calendar functions. The present lot in stainless steel is a rarity in Breguet’s mid-20th century wristwatches since most known examples of Breguet chronographs with calendar and moonphase are cased in gold. Hardly ever seen, it is an exceptionally rare watch that may only be seen once a generation.
    Manufactured in 1948, and sold to M. Milleret in Paris on September 4, 1952, this unusual and beautiful Breguet timepiece shares a similar movement to Rolex’s Dato Compax model, also known as the “Jean-Claude Killy”. While the Rolex models featured a Valjoux 72C caliber, Breguet used the Valjoux caliber 88, which is a modified 72C caliber with additional moonphase complication. The purity and equilibrium of the dial also draws comparison to other horological greats, where a keen observer can see similarities to Patek Philippe’s iconic 1518 and 2499 references.
    Breguet’s N°267 has its own charm and charisma. The large case with its strong lugs and convex bezel is fitted with a lovely dial with blue tachometer scale and red calendar indications. The result is a practical, highly complicated wristwatch with an elegant and sophisticated appeal. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge, this is the only non-military Breguet timepiece featuring luminous markers and hands. Preserved in superb, untouched condition, it’s an exciting timepiece certain to delight even the most discriminating connoisseur.

  • 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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123

An extremely rare and unusual stainless steel triple calendar chronograph wristwatch with moonphases and luminous markers and hands

1948
37mm. Diameter
Dial signed

Estimate
CHF80,000 - 120,000 
€73,400-110,000
$82,400-124,000

Sold for CHF286,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR

Geneva Auctions 12 – 13 November 2016