Breguet - The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN Geneva Saturday, May 12, 2018 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Breguet
    Year: 1952
    Case No: 1164
    Model Name: "Pre Type XX"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 14", 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle
    Dimensions: 38mm Diameter
    Signed: Case numbered, dial signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Breguet "Attestation" confirming production of the present watch in 1952 and its subsequent sale to Société d'Aviation Louis Breguet on February 3, 1953 for 27,000 French Francs.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The discovery of the “blue print” of one of the most iconic watches of the second half of the 20th century results in an uncontrolled sense of exhilaration.

    Breguet’s Type XX doesn’t really need an introduction. Delivered to the pilots of the French navy in 1955 this chronograph was commissioned by the French government seeking a more accurate timekeeper for both their Naval and Air Force. They sought a multipurpose chronograph wristwatch with flyback function, which allowed the user to quickly reset and restart the chronograph from an instantaneous timekeeping in order not to fly off course. The ‘type’ designation was not a specific model name for a particular brand, but rather it was the military specification commissioned by the French government, which several brands provided. Breguet’s “Type XX” became the best known of these military chronograph watches.

    The present watch sold to aircraft manufacturer (and descendant of Abraham-Louis Breguet) Louis Breguet in 1953 (two years before the delivery of the first Type XX to the French government) sets the codes of the future Type XX such as syringe hands, large luminous Arabic numerals and grooved rotating bezel.

    This Breguet n° 1164 is not only historically important but it is a slice of pure awesomeness. It lures in seductively with its large masculine case, short thick lugs and flat bezel. The dial however is the most striking element of this Breguet chronograph. The unusual and rarely seen vibrant black glossy dial is a wonderful canvas for the Arabic numerals that have turned to an elegant cappuccino color.

    A timepiece of incomparable elegance and rarity, the present watch is a must have in the collection of the savvy collector.

  • Artist Biography

    Breguet

    Swiss • 1775

    Established in 1775 by Abraham Louis Breguet, widely considered the greatest watchmaker of all time, the storied brand continues to thrive in the modern era, creating exceptional high-end watches as the Swatch Group's premier prestige brand. Some of the most important and lasting inventions in watchmaking are attributed to Abraham Louis Breguet, including the tourbillon, shock resistance and the use of hammers and gongs employed in nearly all minute repeating watches made since.

    Eighteenth and nineteenth century Breguet pocketwatches are especially sought-after by collectors, and many of them were made for the elite of European society, including Napoléon and Marie Antoinette. Key wristwatches from the twentieth century include oversized dress watches, two-register chronographs, triple calendars and Type XX aviator's chronographs made for the French military and civilians.

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119

A very rare, attractive and historically important stainless steel flyback chronograph wristwatch with black glossy dial

1952
38mm Diameter
Case numbered, dial signed

Estimate
CHF25,000 - 50,000 
€21,400-42,900
$26,500-52,900

Sold for CHF102,500

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+41 22 317 81 81
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN

Geneva Auction 12-13 May 2018