Breguet

• gilt brass three quarter plate movement, Earnshaw spring detent escapement, fusée and chain, helical steel spring, two armed compensation balance spring, regulator screw • silvered dial signed Breguet Fils Horloger de la Marine Royale with eccentric hours and minutes, power reserve indicator to the right • brass bowl gimballed in a mahogany case, hinged lid with glass inspection hole • movement finished by Hanriot, regulated by Courtin and suspension by Chicot, delivered to Ducom, Breguet agent in Bordeaux

Overall this rare piece retains its original patina, movement in working condition, dial in good condition and case with normal signs of wear due to its aging. Overall this is to be considered as a rare example of a marine chronometer with specific eight day power reserve movement unusual for that period.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Even if some of his personal records dated 1796 mention chronometers made earlier, most probaly in the years of 1780, it is not until 1815 when Abraham Louis Breguet was appointed Horloger de la Marine that he started to develop a commercial interest in producing Marine Chronometers. The production really developped between 1817 and 1818 at the approximate cost of 2 000 FF (French Francs) for each piece. Most of production was made with two-day power reserve movements, eight-day models were rarer and constructed differently. In order to obtain a uniform running for eight day models, Breguet used the fusee in place of the second barrel as it had been developed for two-day models. The fusee and barrel were placed in between two plaques to contain the necessary power. All Marine Chronometers from that period can be seen as horological master works of art, no two are identical; today they can be considered the perfect object for a drawing room's decoration, as the ultimate precision timekeeper.  Abraham-Louis Breguet would open a prosperousera with the Marine Department, which paid very high prices for these instruments of precision, the relationship would follow on both with his son and grandson, even more extensively the firm Breguet developped new devices for the French Aeronavale during the course of the 20th century, such as the famous military flyback chronograph wristwatch the Type XX.