Brequet 18ct Solid Gold c 1790 1/4 hr repeater A rare and mint watch signed "Breguet a Paris" Start Price USD 99.99 Current Price USD 3,500.00 Time Left - Bid Count 12 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, August 30, 2008 End Time Saturday, September 06, 2008 Location Dublin See more about ' Brequet 18ct Solid Gold c 1790 1/4 hr repeater ' Description This is a magnificient watch signed   Breguet a Paris  18ct Solid Gold, in excellent condition, 100% mint throughout, I hope that my photos do it justice. This 18th century chain driven fusee verge pocket watch, has a plunge acton repeater The watch is keeping good verge time, and repeats the hours and 1/4 hour on demand.   Most unusually the watch features a center  dial calender, a rare feature on a repeater watch of the period. The watch comes from a private collection ,  well looked after, stored and displayed . Fully serviced and overhauled in 2006  Overall a lovely watch, a real late 18th century gem.          Weight 114 grams   Depth, back of casing to domed crystal, c25mm CASE;  In excellent unmarked condition, the 18ct gold case measures 54mm in diameter, excluding bow.  The three knuckle outer case hinges are in perfect condition, the front bezel and rear cover close tightly, and likewise the inner case.  The fully hallmarked 18ct gold plunge pendant and bow are in superb condition.  The case  has french control marks and 18ct gold marks. the case and movement have matching numbers.  The inner gilt cuvette springs open when a small lever is depressed, this is signed " Berguet a Paris"  and numbered 7749..  There is a slide on the case band which switches on or off the repeater, and this is fully working.  The watch has a , good feel and weight in the pocket. The case band is sculpted, ribbed surface.  The case back with fine engine turned engraving is in fresh crisp condition. DIAL;  100% mint,white enamel with black Arabic numerals, in bright condition, no visible chips or hairlines.  Finely made blued steel early Breguet hands with gold tips, beautifully cut and polished.   The central calander is numbered 1 thru' to 31, , and fully working  CRYSTAL;  The domed glass crystal is in excellent condition MOVEMENT;   100% mint condition, with richly gilded full plate movement, in wonderful condition.  Nicely engraved and carved rococo style double foot balance cock, and foot in supberb condition with foliage decoration and a ruby end stone to the centre.  The back plate is also decorated with finley silvered Tompion time regulator plate, and a finly pierced and decorated additional plate. Uncut, three arm steel balance, verge escapement, flat hair spring and fusee.    Signed " Breguet a Paris number 7749. Key wound, with key, probably original, certainly from the period.   The movement has elegant tapered pillars, pierced,and gilded fusee stop work.  This movement has several high quality features that you would expect, such as  fusee ratchet on the outside of the fusee.the main spring set up is located under the dial. The finly blued screws are original, and the gilding is still bright anfd fresh. Complete with gilded dust cover. REPEATER;  In excellent condition, the repeater is activated by pushing down the gold plunger.  The steelwork, hammers, and all wheels are clean and bright, and the repeater works perfectly.  The repeater barrel is finly engraved and gilded.. The bridge holding the barrel in place is finly shaped, pierced, engraved and richly gilded Clearly when viewing the  movement quality. and features  of this watch, price was of no concern to the original 18th century owner. This is an honest appraisal of the watch.  There is opnion and counter opinion when it comes to derermining the authenticity of Breguet watches, did he make it?,was it made by one of his pupils?,was it made by somebody copying his style.   One thing is certain , a watch movement and case, built to the quality and standard of this watch, and consistant in every detail with the period, cost a lot of money to make.   If I were certain of its authenticity it would be on the market for tens of thousands of $, not for the low reserve I have put on this watch Place a Bid!