E. BUFFAT | AN EXTREMELY RARE AND INTERESTING GOLD TWO MINUTE TOURBILLON WATCH WITH DUPLEX ESCAPEMENT, THE MAIN WHEEL BRIDGE IN THE FORM OF AN 'N', THE NUMERALS SPELLING NAPOLEON IIICIRCA 1855

• Movement: four-armed two minute tourbillon carriage with duplex escapement, requiring 4 vibrations of the balance per impulse to advance the carriage by one-second intervals, compensation balance, spiral spring with terminal curve, the disc of the carriage engraved overall with a floral design, the main plate of the watch engraved E. Buffat, Fec. & Inven. and with bees surrounding the crest, crown and sceptre of Napoleon III, " Alma and Inkermann" and "Exposition Universelle" are inscribed on the central bridge which is in the form of the letter N, to honor the monarch's victories• Dial: white enamel, the hour markings spelling Napoleon III in blue and red enamel paint, the ten minute indications on the seconds dial similarly rendered and spelling La Glo[ir]e, outer red minute track• Case: 18ct gold, the engine turned case back centred with engraved Imperial Coat of Arms, milled band, glazed cuvette with aperture for winding and hand-set, case maker's mark CAD incuse and numbered 56402 further scratch numbered 5379• Accompaniments: fitted leather box, the lid with impressed gilt 'N' beneath a crown, the back of the box with a Patek Philippe label numbered 5379 and a retailer's name of Pleister of 31 Regent Street, London

Captain Peter Belin
Sotheby's London, The Belin Collection, 29 November 1979, lot 176
Christie's London, 9 June 1999, lot 343

R. Meis, Das Tourbillon, 1986, pp. 119 & 344, figs. 67 & 68
Horological Journal, Vol. 122, No. 9, March 1980, pp. 28 and 31

Movement: running at time of cataloguing and appears to be in good aesthetic condition, however, may benefit from a service. Dial: appears to be in good overall condition, a couple of small scratches close to the centre. Case: Decoration to case remains clear and crisp, very light and minor depression towards to top left edge of the case back.:
"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."

The Imperial arms engraved to the mainplate of the movement are those of the Second French Empire under Napoleon III. The Imperial crown is shown above the imperial sceptre which is crossed with a staff representing the hand of justice. At the base of the arms, the chain of the Légion d'honneur is shown. Engraved and gilded bees fill the ground. The bee, a symbol of immortality and resurrection was chosen by Napoleon I to link the dynasty to the very origins of France and was subsequently adopted by Napoleon III. The watch's main bridge forms a Napoleonic 'N' and is engraved with the names of the battles of Alma and Inkerman that took place in 1854 during the Crimean war and in which the French, the British and their allies were victorious. An eagle is engraved to the base of the mainplate beneath the centre of the 'N' bridge. Louis Napoleon III (1808-1873), nephew of Napoleon I, was President of the Second Republic of France. In 1852 he became Emperor of the French and, following two prosperous decades in office, his reign was brought to an end in 1870 by the defeat of his army during the Franco-Prussian war.

An incredibly rare tourbillon watch with duplex escapement, this famous watch formed part of the Belin Collection which was sold at Sotheby's in London exactly 40 years ago. By repute, the watch was traditionally believed to have been presented to Napoleon III at the Paris Exposition of 1867. However, a presentation at or shortly after the 1855 Paris Exposition Universelle now seems more likely, given the style of the watch and the fact that the battles of Alma and Inkermann took place in 1854.