Cogs and Pieces

Description

Paris, c1810
Ruby cylinder, quarter repeating
Gold case, 52 mm.


A large and impressive gold cased pocket watch, with a quarter/hour repeating, ruby cylinder movement.

MOVEMENT Fine quality ruby cylinder movement, with parachute shock resistance, and temperature correction curb. Incorporating an hour/quarter repeating function which is activated by pushing down the stem. The polished hammers strike two gongs, with one chime for the hours and two for the quarters.

The serial number (12314) is stamped on the movement, under the dial.

Both movement and repeat function are working correctly, with the repeat striking clearly. The matte gilt movement is in wonderful condition, with very little wear. The blued screws are still in good condition.

DIAL White enamel dial with gold coloured Breguet style hands. Perfect condition except for one very light hairline running from 7 towards 12. The mineral crystal is fine.

CASE The large engine turned gold case, with milled band, has no marks except for the movement serial number (12314) stamped on the inside of the back. The gold cuvette is heavily engraved and includes the following

Breguet
Horloger de la Marine royale
A PARIS
ECHAPPEMENT A CYLINDRE
en Pierre
HUIT TROUS EN RUBIS

The gold case is in very good condition with very little wear to the engine turned decoration and just a couple of very light bruises on the back, just below the stem.

All hinges and catches are fine and both covers (and bezel) snap closed.

The ruby cylinder was used by Abraham Louis Breguet to reduce the friction in cylinder escapements. The cylinder itself is composed of a half tube formed ruby, set into two steel plugs, each with a pivot. This was a very expensive innovation and is rarely found.

Free worldwide postage.
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