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BREGUET: SYMPATHIQUE NO.20., AN IMPORTANT GILT BRONZE CONSTANT FORCE SPRING DETENT 'MASTER' TIMEPIECE WITH ANNUAL CALENDAR, EQUATION OF TIME, THERMOMETER AND POWER RESERVE, ACCOMPANIED BY ITS 'SYMPATHIQUE' GOLD SKELETONIZED MINUTE REPEATING WRISTWATCH, LIMITED EDITION OF 20 PIECES, 1996
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Description
The last two decades have witnessed the renaissance of the mechanical watch making industry - an industry that many feared the quartz revolution would decimate. Breguet has been one of the most mechanically innovative companies during this period. Remaining true to their heritage, Breguet has innovated more than most to produce fascinating horological works of art for their increasingly enthusiastic patrons. It is, therefore, little surprise that Breguet chose to re-create one of their founder’s most celebrated inventions for a new era and, in their own words, offer their clients "an inimitable Breguet signature timepiece."
Sympathique no. 20 is the last in a limited series of twenty modern Sympathiques to be made by the House of Breguet. These few sets represent the first time that the principles of ‘Sympathique’ have been applied to a wristwatch. The accompanying certificate notes that this example is unique in both its function and design.
The Innovation of the Sympathique
During the French Revolution, Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747-1823) returned in exile to Switzerland and there conceived the ingenious idea of the Sympathique. The clocks were primarily designed to demonstrate the quality and ability of his craft and to enhance his already distinguished reputation as the foremost innovative horologist of his time. In a letter to his son dated June 26th, 1795 he wrote:
"I have great pleasure my friend, in telling you that I have made a very important invention, but about which you must be very discreet, even about the idea. I have invented a means of setting a watch to time, and regulating it, without anyone having to do it...Then every night on going to bed, you can put the watch into the clock. It is not even necessary to open the watch. I expect from this, the greatest promotion of our fame and fortune."
Three main types of Sympathiques were made, each were defined by the relationship between the master clock and its watch. The present lot has two of the three possible Sympathique features, comprising a special mechanism which both re-winds and sets its wristwatch.
The original Sympathiques were sold to the rich and famous of the early nineteenth century, including European Royalty. Today examples can be found in Buckingham Palace, The British Museum and the Royal Palace in Madrid.
The ‘Master Timepiece’
Eight day movement powered by twin meshed barrels, Earnshaw-type spring detent escapement, powered by a constant force device re-wound every 5 seconds, bi-metallic compensation balance, two opposed sprung gold helical springs, the gilt engine-turned mask with eccentric silver dial, roman numerals, blued steel moon hands, two sector apertures for date and day beside, two silvered sectors above indicating temperature and equation of time, separate recessed dial for moon phases, further engraved with ages of the moon, with fixing for ‘Sympathique watch’, the glazed case with retractable winder to the base, milled bun feet, the barrels encased in base with chased design, power reserve mounted on base, calibrated from 1-8 displaying degree of mainspring tension, signed and numbered silver plaque, four Corinthian columns with acanthus leaf capitals, surmounted by laurel wreath panels, carrying handle held by lion head mounts, the case further applied with a white gold oval plague engraved: 1996 3ème Repetition Squelette Breguet.
The ‘Wristwatch’
18k, skeletonized movement with Byzantine motif, blued steel screws, lever escapement, mono-metallic compensation balance, Breguet overcoil spring, 30 jewels, two polished steel hammers repeating on two coiled gongs, regulator style dial with silver chapter rings, roman numerals, blued steel moon hands, circular case with milled band, platinum repeating slide in the band, removable from strap to be wound and set by the ‘Master Timepiece’, dial and movement signed.
The ‘Sympathique Master Timepiece’ and its ‘Wristwatch’
This ‘Sympathique’ is defined by the relationship between the ‘Master Timepiece’ and its ‘Wristwatch’. The idea behind the technical design itself is simple: the clock being a stable and accurate timekeeper keeps the watch wound and sets it to time every two hours, whilst the watch is in its holder in the clock.
The clock is exceptional for many reasons but not least of which is the constant force escapement which provides a small but measured amount of power to the escapement. This negates any problems to the timekeeping that could have been caused by the fluctuating power supply of the main springs; the result is greater accuracy.
The clock is simply wound by a handle that extends from underneath the base and works on a ratchet to enable the twin barrels to be wound without the need to find a key. The winding of the watch is continual all the time the watch is in place and turns the crown approximately 15 times every hour. The clock sets the watch to time through a small water-resistant pusher in the crown.
Accompaniments
Accompanied by a red Morocco leather case with draw containing magnifying glass, screwdriver and key for adjusting the ‘Master Timepiece’, further red leather traveling case, Breguet certificate signed by Nicolas G. Hayek, dated July 2002 and personalized letter to the original owner confirming that this ‘Sympathique’ is the last in a limited edition of 20 pieces.
Sympathique no. 20 is the last in a limited series of twenty modern Sympathiques to be made by the House of Breguet. These few sets represent the first time that the principles of ‘Sympathique’ have been applied to a wristwatch. The accompanying certificate notes that this example is unique in both its function and design.
The Innovation of the Sympathique
During the French Revolution, Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747-1823) returned in exile to Switzerland and there conceived the ingenious idea of the Sympathique. The clocks were primarily designed to demonstrate the quality and ability of his craft and to enhance his already distinguished reputation as the foremost innovative horologist of his time. In a letter to his son dated June 26th, 1795 he wrote:
"I have great pleasure my friend, in telling you that I have made a very important invention, but about which you must be very discreet, even about the idea. I have invented a means of setting a watch to time, and regulating it, without anyone having to do it...Then every night on going to bed, you can put the watch into the clock. It is not even necessary to open the watch. I expect from this, the greatest promotion of our fame and fortune."
Three main types of Sympathiques were made, each were defined by the relationship between the master clock and its watch. The present lot has two of the three possible Sympathique features, comprising a special mechanism which both re-winds and sets its wristwatch.
The original Sympathiques were sold to the rich and famous of the early nineteenth century, including European Royalty. Today examples can be found in Buckingham Palace, The British Museum and the Royal Palace in Madrid.
The ‘Master Timepiece’
Eight day movement powered by twin meshed barrels, Earnshaw-type spring detent escapement, powered by a constant force device re-wound every 5 seconds, bi-metallic compensation balance, two opposed sprung gold helical springs, the gilt engine-turned mask with eccentric silver dial, roman numerals, blued steel moon hands, two sector apertures for date and day beside, two silvered sectors above indicating temperature and equation of time, separate recessed dial for moon phases, further engraved with ages of the moon, with fixing for ‘Sympathique watch’, the glazed case with retractable winder to the base, milled bun feet, the barrels encased in base with chased design, power reserve mounted on base, calibrated from 1-8 displaying degree of mainspring tension, signed and numbered silver plaque, four Corinthian columns with acanthus leaf capitals, surmounted by laurel wreath panels, carrying handle held by lion head mounts, the case further applied with a white gold oval plague engraved: 1996 3ème Repetition Squelette Breguet.
The ‘Wristwatch’
18k, skeletonized movement with Byzantine motif, blued steel screws, lever escapement, mono-metallic compensation balance, Breguet overcoil spring, 30 jewels, two polished steel hammers repeating on two coiled gongs, regulator style dial with silver chapter rings, roman numerals, blued steel moon hands, circular case with milled band, platinum repeating slide in the band, removable from strap to be wound and set by the ‘Master Timepiece’, dial and movement signed.
The ‘Sympathique Master Timepiece’ and its ‘Wristwatch’
This ‘Sympathique’ is defined by the relationship between the ‘Master Timepiece’ and its ‘Wristwatch’. The idea behind the technical design itself is simple: the clock being a stable and accurate timekeeper keeps the watch wound and sets it to time every two hours, whilst the watch is in its holder in the clock.
The clock is exceptional for many reasons but not least of which is the constant force escapement which provides a small but measured amount of power to the escapement. This negates any problems to the timekeeping that could have been caused by the fluctuating power supply of the main springs; the result is greater accuracy.
The clock is simply wound by a handle that extends from underneath the base and works on a ratchet to enable the twin barrels to be wound without the need to find a key. The winding of the watch is continual all the time the watch is in place and turns the crown approximately 15 times every hour. The clock sets the watch to time through a small water-resistant pusher in the crown.
Accompaniments
Accompanied by a red Morocco leather case with draw containing magnifying glass, screwdriver and key for adjusting the ‘Master Timepiece’, further red leather traveling case, Breguet certificate signed by Nicolas G. Hayek, dated July 2002 and personalized letter to the original owner confirming that this ‘Sympathique’ is the last in a limited edition of 20 pieces.