Patrizzi & Co is proud to announce its first auction to be held in Geneva Switzerland on 18 November 2008. Brequet tourbillons will be the focus of the event. Probably the most creative of all watchmakers, Abraham Louis Breguet was a genius of horology, inventing everything from grand complications to the constant force escapement that allows you to take and regulate your position. But perhaps the invention he is most remembered for is the tourbillon regulator. Breguet used these inventions together in only three watches: the BREGUET No. 2396, No. 2436, and No. 2441. These three watches are the absolute masterpieces of Breguet precision portable horology. One of them is to be found in the Hermitage Museum (BREGUET No. 2436), the whereabouts of another is unknown, and the third one is the one offered for sale in the upcoming Patrizzi & Co November auction.
BREGUET – NO. 2396 was originally sold to General Yermoloff in October 1815 for 4,000 Francs. One of only three ever made, this highly important, exceptionally fine and extremely rare 18K gold Garde Temps four-minute tourbillon regulator with constant force escapement (now converted), independent seconds, 36-hour power reserve indicator, and fast frequency balance, is accompanied by a certificate, copies of Tourbillon and Constant Force Escapement patents, and copies of the original Breguet development papers for the model. The estimated price is $550,000 to $850,000.
Other Highlights
BREGUET – NO. 2807 sold to General Yermoloff on 26 August 1817 for 4,000 Francs.
An extremely rare and exceptionally fine 18K gold and enamel astronomical, equation of time pocket watch with mean and true solar time, manual perpetual calendar and phases of the moon, presented in its Morocco fitted box, accompanied by Breguet certificate dated 1857, and a copy of the original Breguet drawing. In his manufacturing registers, Breguet called this type of equation, “Premier équation”. Its production cost was over eight times greater than the cost of the entire movement (without the escapement)!
Breguet started building just five of these watches, but only three were completed by him; this one, one in a Middle Eastern collection and watch No. 3947. The No. 2807 is not only the earliest but also the only one known to be still entirely in its original condition. Estimated at $1,400,000 to $1,850,000.
BREGUET & FILS, HORLOGERS DE LA MARINE ROYALE, BREGUET – NO. 3787
sold to Comte de Schouvaloff on 27 December 1823 for 2,520 Francs.
One of the world’s first Garde Temps deck chronometer with double barrels, this exceptionally fine piece is made in silver and is accompanied by Breguet certificate No. 2732 and photocopies of the original records. Estimated at $160,000 to $180,000
Vacheron Constantin extra flat minute repeater
During the 1940s, Vacheron Constantin produced many of its most exquisite watches, combining the typical Vacheron Constantin features of exceptional beauty of design and masterly complications. Among the highlights of this sale is a superb example of their expertise – an elegant extra flat Vacheron Constantin minute repeater wristwatch in rose gold circa 1940. Estimated at $180,000 to $360,000.
Patek Philippe Ref 1518
A magnificent yellow gold Patek Philippe Ref 1518 perpetual calendar with moon phases, square button chronograph, register and tachometer, typical of the exceptional quality of craftsmanship exhibited by watchmakers in the 1940s. One of a limited edition of 281 examples made between 1941 and 1958 based on the Patek Philippe 13’’’ chronograph movement. Estimated at $180,00 to $360,000.
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