28 July 2022
On the 28th July the Master announced the launch of fundraising for the exciting plan we have assembled to mount a series of annual specialist displays in our Museum, commencing in the autumn of next year with ‘Breguet: the English Connection’.
Dr Peter Thomas, Chair of our Collections Committee, and Anna Rolls, our Curator, are already working at pace on the organisation of next year’s exhibition, in close collaboration with our Science Museum colleagues.
Collection item No. 469. A silver one-minute tourbillon watch by Breguet et Fils, sold to the Princess de Valençay in 1812. The watch has a silver case, with the case back engine turned with an engraved crown covered with clear grey enamel in the centre. The cuvette is signed ‘Breguet et Fils. Regulateur à Tourbillon no. 2571’. The dial is signed ‘Breguet’ in cursive script, with the famed secret signature underneath. The watch movement includes a one minute tourbillon with Breguet’s first form of lever escapement.
Originally purchased by Princess de Valençay in 1812 for 1600 francs. The watch later became part of the renowned collector Sir David Salomons collection of Breguet watches. The watch was presented by Salomons to the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in 1924.