Breguet - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XII Hong Kong Saturday, June 5, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Breguet
    Year: Circa 1923
    Reference No: 2783
    Case No: 40’275
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 18”’, lever escapement
    Dimensions: 51mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and cuvette signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present Breguet open-faced pocket watch from circa 1923 features a complicated split-seconds chronograph function. Encased in a beautiful “demi-bassine” style 51mm diameter case, the white enamel dial decorated with painted black Breguet numerals are a signature trait for the firm. Opening the cuvette, the sophisticated straight line lever escapement movement is revealed featuring impressive rhodium plated caliber with "fausses côtes" decoration on the plates. Furthermore, a keen eye may notice the firm’s patented blued steel balance spring with an elegant swan neck micrometric index. Stamped with French assay owl hallmarks on the case it is believed that the watch was originally made for the French market and according to research it was purchased by Mr. Coutteaux on 19th April 1923 for the sum of 2,800 French Francs at the time. Preserved in attractive overall condition, the present example is a testament of Breguet’s fine craftsmanship of complicated timepieces.

  • 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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927

Ref. 2783
A fine and rare yellow gold open-faced split-seconds chronograph pocket watch with small seconds, enamel dial and Breguet numerals

Circa 1923
51mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and cuvette signed

Estimate
HK$75,000 - 100,000 
€8,100-10,800
$9,600-12,800

Sold for HK$119,700

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XII

Hong Kong Auctions 5-6 June 2021