BREGUET ET FILS | A FINE AND SMALL GOLD AND ENAMEL QUARTER REPEATING JUMP HOUR 'MONTRE MÉDAILLON' DELIVERED TO "LA MAISON DE RUSSIE" CIRCA 1810, NO. 2431

• Movement: gilded bar, ruby cylinder, three-arm plain gold balance with parachute, single polished steel hammer striking an intermediate block against a coiled gong• Dial: silver engine-turned dial, satin finished chapter ring with Roman numerals,  blued steel moon hands, the hour hand advancing/jumping a full hour division each hour, signed Breguet et fils, with secret signature and numbered either side of 12 o'clock• Case: 18ct gold, the back with later added (c.1827-1834) black champlevé enamel decoration heightened with gold scrolling flowers and foliage and centred with champlevé and polychrome enamel painted arms of Princess Marie Narychkine (1779-1854), polished gold detachable cuvette secured with a screw and with apertures for winding, hand-set and regulation, case bezels and border of cuvette with fine engine turning à grains d'orge, the pendant with pull-twist plunger for repetition, cuvette signed and numbered Breguet no.2431, inside case back stamped 'R' and numbered 503

Antiquorum Geneva, The Art of Breguet, 14 April 1991, lot 48

George Daniels, The Art of Breguet, 1975, pp.212-213, figs. 218a-d

Movement: not wound at time of cataloguing due to small size of winding square. Repeating operational but will need adjustment to the gong as it is not sounding clearly at present. Dial: with some light scuffs/scratches to chapter ring Case: engine turned decoration to bezels remains clear and well defined. There are light scratches and some small chips to the champlevé enamel of the case back. Screw to cuvette is not holding the cuvette in place at present, however, there is some frictional adherence which prevents the cuvette from falling off.
"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."

Accompanied by a Certificate from Breguet dated 26 August 2019 recording its sale on 23 April 1810 for 3,600 Francs. This watch was included in 'The Art of Breguet' auction held at Antiquorum in 1991. At the time of its inculsion, research carried out using the manufacturing records and repair books held at Breguet revealed its early history. The records noted that this watch was returned for overhaul on 17th November 1825 at the request of General Brosin. On 20 November 1827, the watch was returned once again by Princess Narychkine whom the books confirmed as the owner of the watch. At that time the case back of the watch was recorded as being of engine-turned gold. However, on 14 July 1834, following correspondence sent from General Brosin in Geneva, the watch was sent to Breguet for overhaul by Bautte & Cie of Geneva and the enamel case back was mentioned in the records at that time. It is possible that the champlevé enamel decorated case back was executed at the request of the Narychkine family perhaps by Bautte & Cie in Geneva. The Breguet certificate accompanying the watch, dated 26 August 2019, notes that the arms of Princess Narychkine were added to the watch at an unknown date between 1827 and 1834. Breguet's final entry relating to the watch is dated 2 June 1853 for the account of Monsieur Narychkine and notes delivery of the watch by Monsieur Schouvaloff.

Marie Narychkine (1779-1854) was born Princess Maria Czetwertyńska-Światopełk. In 1795 she married Dimitry Lvovich Naryshkin and, with her husband's approval, in 1799 became mistress to Alexander, later Tsar Alexander I of Russia. Maria Naryshkina and the Tsar had at least 4 illegitimate children together.