Description

100% Genuine & All Original

Fully Inspected, Serviced & Guaranteed

28mm, 18ct Breguet Signed Three-Hinged Watch Case

Original, Unrestored Solid Gold Dial with Champleve Breguet Numerals

‘Trois Couleurs’ Pink Gold with Yellow & White Gold Filigree Decoration

Original, Restored Blued Steel ‘Moon’ Hands in Wonderful Condition

Beautiful Floral Filigree Gold Decoration to Front and Rear of Case

Beautiful Original Breguet Movement In Wonderful Condition

Over 100 years Old, Still Running Well & Perfectly Useable

New Black Lizard Leather Strap and White Gold Buckle

Breguet

Breguet is the name of the most important inventor in horology and provider of timekeeping, fit for Kings, Queens and Emperors. In 1783, one of Marie Antoinette’s guards and secret admirers devised a way to make her fall in love with him. He had no doubt noticed the queen’s obsession with Abraham-Louis Breguet’s watches, of which she owned several, so he reached out to the watchmaker with a brief. Well, not so much a brief, more as a plea for the legendary watchmaker to make something so spectacular it would win the affections of the queen. The forlorn lover had the right idea: Breguet eventually delivered the most complicated watch in existence at the time, built with many of his original inventions, including the perpetual calendar, minute repeater and equation of time.

So accomplished did Abraham-Louis Breguet become, he is popularly regarded by watch historians as the Leonardo da Vinci of horology…

Description

The Breguet we see in major city stores today was effectively re-born in 1970 when the brand was acquired by the Chaumet brothers and moved to Vallée de Joux to re-launch its Classic line of watches. Such is the importance and scarcity of earlier Breguet watches, these are now almost impossible to find outside of museums.

The example you see here is amazingly rare and very special. Made in 18ct pink gold, with yellow and white gold filigree and a stunning, original unrestored Guilloche dial with Breguet numerals.

The Case

The solid 18ct pink gold case measures 28mm in diameter, excluding the crown. It is beautifully decorated with fine yellow and white gold filigree work around the bezel. Opening the first hinged case-back reveals it is signed ‘Breguet’ with the serial number 4633. The second hinged case-back reveals the movement. Both case-backs and hinges are in superb condition. The case has two case-backs to provide extra security to the movement and increased dust and moisture protection. The case-backs each click open and closed very securely and the integrity of the hinges is excellent. Inside the outer case-back we find a hallmark and the FB signature, along with the reference number 68558. The outer case-back carries a beautifully ornate BD script, presumably the initials of the first owner from new. This could be removed, but we feel this would lose some of the originality of the watch and it would not add to its value.

As you will see, the bezel is also hinged, opening to reveal the dial in all its original splendour. This also clicks open and closed very securely and the integrity of the hinge is excellent.

As we would expect, the case is of extremely high quality. It is of very solid construction and is quite heavy for such a small watch. There is no damage at all, visible to the naked eye.

As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Dial

The solid gold dial carries ‘1 – 12’ Breguet numerals and carries a Guilloche finish which catches the light beautifully.

The dial is completely original and untouched and although it has been affected by a little staining, it is otherwise perfect. This is remarkable for such an old dial and it is far too good to restore. We have therefore left it completely alone to retain its character and originality.

Breguet style numerals are so evocative of early wristwatches, as not only do they look wonderful, but they were created by Breguet, the most influential early watchmaker. It has been very hard to capture the full effect with the camera but suffice to say it looks much better in real life. However please take a close look at photograph 2 as this is the most representative.

The dial carries the original beautifully ornate blued steel ‘Moon’ hands which have been restored.

Usually, we restore the dials of the watches we offer for sale but here, for the sake of originality and charm, the dial has been left completely alone.

The Movement

The classic hand-wound movement is gold-plated with a large balance wheel and assembled with blued steel screws. It exquisitely designed with six bridges and 17 jewels. We believe this to be an early Jaeger-LeCoultre movement, which is quite normal as Jaeger-LeCoultre provided movements to many of the top watch manufacturers at this time. It is unsigned, which again was quite normal for this period.

The movement has been fully overhauled and serviced by our early vintage movement specialist watchmaker who reports it to be in excellent condition, therefore we are more than happy to offer this watch with our 12 months’ warranty*. Although watches of this period have movements which are relatively accurate and reliable, these watches do need to be treated with extra care, so while perfect for special occasions, we would not recommend this watch for everyday use.

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only included if the list price is paid.

Strap & Buckle

A new high quality, black Lizard strap has been fitted. Please note, we feel this strap matches the watch nicely, however, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown and black in stock in plain padded leather, and crocodile skin or lizard skin. However, we can also obtain most types and colours at short notice.

The Box and Papers

Although there is no original paperwork with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks indicate the date of this watch to circa 1910.

Our detailed ‘Particulars’ document will be included in the sale, with our detailed receipt and our 12 months warranty*. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will also be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than totally authentic, or not as described, Vintage Gold Watches of London will offer you a full refund at any time”.

This watch comes complete with the vintage watch box, as shown.

In Conclusion

A rare, ladies occasional evening wear dress watch from Breguet, one of horology’s most important names, which is a thing of beauty to use, treasure, and enjoy! It will make an excellent investment or family heirloom piece and as each year goes by and the world market for vintage watches continues to expand, the value of this watch is sure to climb ever higher!