Breguet

• manual winding skeletonized and finely engraved nickel lever movement, mono-metallic balance rotating within a one-minute tourbillon carriage, adjusted to 6 positions • skeletonized dial with eccentric silvered chapter ring, dots and Roman numerals, blued steel Breguet hands, three-armed tourbillon carriage with constant seconds • 18k white gold circular case, calibré-cut diamond-set bezel, lugs and band, diamond-set crown, sapphire crystal display back • case, dial and movement signed • with an 18k white gold and diamond-set custom-order Breguet folding clasp

Movement and tourbillon are in working order while cataloguing. Dial is clean and intact. Minor surface scuffs to the polished rims, All Top Wesselton diamonds are intact. Custom order diamond buckle with light signs of use. Overall condition appears very good. Recommended piece. **The strap of this wristwatch is made from an endangered species, please refer to important notices for further information**.
"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."

The tourbillon was invented in 1795 by Abraham-Louis Breguet and represents a milestone in watchmaking.  This ingenious device aims to balance out all differences of position by mounting the rate determinative components – the balance, balance spring and escapement – in a delicate lightweight carriage which rotates on its own axis once every sixty seconds allowing many watches to attain chronometer-like accuracy.  In his application for a patent in 1801, Breguet wrote the following,  

"By means of this invention, I have succeeded in cancelling through compensation the anomalies caused by the different positions of the centers of gravity of the regulator movements, to distribute frictions on all parts of the circumference of this regulator's pivots and of the holes in which these pivots move. This is to allow the oiling of the friction surfaces to always be even, in spite of oil coagulation, and finally to cancel many other causes of error influencing movement accuracy. This could only be attained until now by constant trial and error and often even without any certainty of success."

The Breguet Ref. 3356 displays a fully skeletonized, hand-engraved manual winding tourbillon movement.  The art of skeletonization requires the watchmaker to work as a goldsmith crafting in miniature.  Housed in a sculpted 18k white gold case, further adorned with 99 calibre baguette-cut diamonds (weighing approximately 11 carats) on the bezel and case band, this timepiece dazzles and exudes refinement.  The delicate dance of the tourbillon is further admired through the sapphire crystal display back.