Patrizzi & Co Auction To Feature Historic Breguet Watches

Osvaldo Patrizzi's new auction company, Patrizzi & Co, will begin its debut sale in grand style with an authoritative offering of three exquisite 19th century pocket watches attributed to Abraham-Louis Breguet.   Dated to October 1815 is Breguet's No. 2396, a remarkable 18k gold pocket watch which unites a four-minute tourbillon, independent seconds, and a power reserve indicator; notably, this timepiece is one of only two watches made by Breguet which features a tourbillon in tandem with a constant force escapement--both original inventions of the master.  Pre-sale estimates are between 600,000 and 900,000 Swiss Francs.

The Breguet No. 2807 is no less rare or extraordinary.  Combining equation of time with perpetual calendar and moon phases, this 18K yellow gold pocket watch with enamel dial is accompanied by a copy of a Breguet technical drawing, and a fitted box. Only three such models were known to have been made by Breguet during his lifetime.  Pre-sale estimates for the No. 2807 are CHF 1,500,000-2,000,000.    

A Breguet Garde Temps deck chronometer No. 3787, originally sold to Count Schouvaloff in 1823, completes the trio.  Representing one of three such timepieces known to exist today, this silver chronometer with two barrels carries great significance as being among the very first practical deck watches.  The pre-sale estimate for the Breguet No. 3787 is CHF 150,000-200,000.

Patrizzi & Co will hold the auction on November 18, 2008 at the Hotel Richmond in Geneva, with additional participation welcomed via the Internet.  Prior to the sale, exhibitions will take place in New York, Milan, and finally Geneva, on the 15th through the 17th of November.