


Quarter-repeating, self-winding watch with gold engine-turned case, by Abraham-Louis Breguet c.1783.
On the back of the case is a crowned ‘N’. The white enamel dial has Breguet's secret signature. Both dial and case are later replacements by Breguet. Blued steel 'Breguet' hands Cylinder escapement, with no compensation on the balance. Quarter repeating and self-winding. Signed ‘Breguet à Paris 810/83’.
This watch is said to have been sold originally to the Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia, later Czar Nicholas I, who presumably had it re-cased with a short pendant by Breguet c. 1800. It is probably the oldest surviving 'perpetuelle' or self-winding watch.
Clockmakers Museum' No. 347
On display
Science Museum: Clockmakers' Museum Gallery
If you are visiting to see this object, please contact us in advance to make sure that it will be on display.
Details
- Category:
- Clockmakers
- Object Number:
- L2015-3292
- Materials:
- brass (copper, zinc alloy), enamel, glass, gold (metal) and steel (metal)
- type:
- watch
- credit:
- Lent by the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers
Cite this page
Rights
We encourage the use and reuse of our collection data.
Data in the title, made, maker and details fields are released under Creative Commons Zero
Descriptions and all other text content are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence
Download
Download catalogue entry as json
View manifest in IIIF viewer
Add to Animal Crossing Art Generator
Download manifest IIIF
Our records are constantly being enhanced and improved, but please note that we cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information shown on this website.