At the Christie’s auction in Geneva on Monday, May 12, 2014, Marc A. Hayek, Chairman and CEO of Breguet, harvested two Breguet antique timepieces that are important in the history of fine watchmaking. The first semi-engraved antique pocket watch, number 4039, is exquisitely crafted with an eccentric dial and a date display. The second Breguet Tourbillon pocket watch, numbered 1176, was very precious to Count Potocki. The total auction price of these two treasures reached CHF 750,000.
The first antique pocket watch was really rare. It was the first four-minute tourbillon watch made by Abraham-Louis Breguet, and it was also his third tourbillon watch. This famous antique pocket watch (No. 1176) features a sector-shaped power reserve display scaled to 35 hours, an eccentric hour dial, and an additional small scale ring with two small seconds. This antique pocket watch is undoubtedly the ultimate embodiment of Mr. Breguet’s ingenuity, and has an important feature, the ‘natural escapement’ designed by the master in 1789. This prestigious timepiece belonged to the Count of Pototsky, one of the most famous figures in the Polish Enlightenment, and this time sold for more than 680,000 Swiss francs.
no ° 1176 Antique pocket watch front view
Abraham-Louis Breguet’s first four-minute tourbillon watch-no ° 1176 antique pocket watch
no ° 1176 back view of antique pocket watch
The second antique pocket watch number 4039 was sold to the Duke of Berwick on September 30, 1825. It is one of Breguet’s outstanding examples of ultra-thin questionnaires made according to the specifications of precision timers. This remarkable 18K gold and silver pocket watch embodies Breguet’s brand spirit of constant pursuit of innovation. It is not only equipped with a precision movement with a diameter of 21 centimeters, but also a silver dial with date functions, mechanical carvings, and Famous Breguet pointer. The transaction price was CHF 70,000.
no ° 4039 Half-print timed antique pocket watch
no ° 4039 Frontal view of half-cut timed antique pocket watch
Breguet is proud to announce the inclusion of these two extremely precious Breguet antique timepieces, a move that fully reflects Breguet’s Chairman and CEO, Mark Hayek, in inheriting the Breguet brand culture and history. Long-term commitment and unremitting efforts.