Breguet

• 23’’’ gilt bar caliber lever movement, two armed steel compensation balance with blued arms and gold screws, blued steel balance spring with terminal curve and regulator, balance lock beneath cuvette, split seconds stop watch activated with clutch lever by depressing the button to the case band at one o’clock • silver engine turned dial, outer matte seconds track, eccentric dial at 6 o’clock for time, blued steel chronograph hand, gold seconds hand, the dial signed Breguet • gold engine turned case, pusher at 11 o’clock to start stop watch, pusher at one o’clock to stop, gold cuvette • dial and case signed, cuvette engraved Breguet Horloger de la Marine Royale 3168, case stamped B 3168 and T 3635 for Tavernier

Movement running at time of cataloging, however not tested for the accuracy of time and may need service at the buyer's discretion. Stop seconds function (secondary hand) works sporadically. Case in very good condition with minor wear, light scratches. Dial in good condition with some discoloration and scratches. The movement in very good condition with some patina and pitting to the edges.
"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."

Accompanied by Breguet Certificate number 3886, dated 1 August 1986, listing the sale to a M. Fournier on 14 January 1822, for the price of 2,800 Francs.

The present lot is one of four split-second stop watches made by Breguet. These watches illustrate Breguet’s experiments with different techniques to record elapsed time with chronographs. Each of these pieces is constructed in a purely brilliant way, and all four exhibit the same bridge structure and large size. The proportions and layout of the dial, the thin and simple engine turned case, and the genius lever and clutch system utilized in the complication of the present lot all demonstrate the simplicity and compilation of Breguet’s work.

"Watches of this type made by Breguet fall into three categories: inking chronographs, split-seconds stop watches, and pace-counting watches referred to as the compteur militaire.

…

Split seconds stop watches are much rarer than the chronographs…[They are] high-grade lever watches capable of maintaining a very close rate…the elapsed time is indicated by stopping one of the two seconds hands instead of marking the dial. The hands cannot be set to zero, and so the position of the two hands running as one must be noted before the timing starts."

George Daniels, The Art of Breguet, pp. 72-73

Daniels illustrates three other examples of the split-second stop watch, numbered 3167, 4000 and 4009 (illustrations 269a-b, 310a-b and 312a-b respectively). Three main variations are apparent when comparing them: the locking bolts, lever system and size for the chronograph, and balance lock feature. All of the examples feature locking slides for the chronograph. Both 3167 and 3168 (the present lot) have only one bolt underneath the one o’clock pusher, whereas the others have locking bolts under both pushers. The lock for the balance on the 3168 must be stopped via a slide on the inside under the cuvette, unlike the 4000 and 4009, which can be activated by a slide on the case band. A balance lock appears to not be implemented on 3167, whose movement also has a more rudimentary lever system than that of the other three. Almost everything else between the three watches is identical, save for the screw to the dial below the signature on the present lot.

Chronograph 3167 (illustrations 269a-b) bears the preceding number to the present lot. The lever/clutch system of 3167 differs in size, and thus the proportions of the entire movement are smaller.  The layout of the start/stop levers above the gear train are angled slightly differently. Technology vastly advanced between the creation of these two watches, and it could be argued that 3167 was Breguet’s first attempt at such a mechanism, and Breguet 3168 (1822) is a transitional type of piece, possibly a stepping stone for the ultimate version in numbers 4000 (circa 1825) and 4009 (circa 1845).

The present lot sold in January, 1822, before Breguet’s death in September, 1823.  Nos. 4000 and 4009 were finished after his death.

Abraham Louis Breguet (1747-1823) is credited with countless inventions in relation to horology, and is most certainly considered one of the most influential makers in the horological field. Breguet’s singular and immediately recognizable style continues to influence modern watchmakers in mechanical and aesthetic design.