c.1805 Breguet Souscription Watch, No. 1584.
Period French
Inv. #: p303
Maker: Breguet et Fils, 1584.
Circa: 1805
Size: 61 mm.
on request
Case
The large gold and silver case made by Jean Louis Joly has hinged doors front and back. The back door carries the French assay marks on the interior.
Dial
The white porcelain dial has Arabic numbers, a steel-cut Breguet-style hand, a minute's chapter with 5-minute marks and larger highlighted 15-minute marks, Breguet's secret signature and is signed along the bottom 'Breguet Et Fils'.
Movement
The gilded brass ruby cylinder movement with central going barrel can be wound out the dial or off the backplate. It has a plain three arm brass balance, pare-chute suspension on the pivot, a blued steel flat balance spring with bimetallic compensation curb on the regulator and is signed 'Breguet et Fils, 1584'.
Ref: According to the Archives of Montres Breguet, the present watch was sold on 18 Prairial An 13 (7 June 1805), last year of the Republican calendar, to Monsieur Romarino for the sum of 600 Francs. The unique idea of the Souscription watch was first conceived by Abraham Louis Breguet in 1794 during the French Revolution as a method to remain financially stable. A buyer could do a down payment of 25 Francs for a watch of a limited series, with the balance due upon delivery. In this manner, Breguet watches became more accessible and the payments in advance helped finance the development of other projects. To see this watch in auction see: https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5731495. The watch was purchased by Gerald Marsh who used it for some time as his personal watch.
