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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Marine chronometer · Box marine chronometer

Breguet & Fils Marine Chronometer No. 4324

Partially verified

This marine chronometer is catalogued by the British Museum as made by Breguet & Fils in Paris in 1829, containing an unblued mainspring scratched with the signature of Vincent dated April 1826. It is mounted in a brass bowl within brass gimbals inside a square mahogany box. The movement features an Earnshaw spring detent escapement on a detachable lenticular platform. Its flat engraved and silvered brass dial displays an upper auxiliary dial for hours and minutes, a lower seconds dial, an up-and-down indication sector, and a large bush around the winding aperture drilled through the bezel glass.

Overall view of the Breguet & Fils marine chronometer gimballed in its opened mahogany box
Overall view of the Breguet & Fils marine chronometer gimballed in its opened mahogany box — British Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.britishmuseum.org
Category
Marine chronometer · Box marine chronometer
Maker / attribution
Breguet & Fils
Reference
1958,1006.1935
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1829
Country
France
Source-reported serial
4324

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Dial and Inscriptions

The marine chronometer features a silvered, engraved brass dial. It is signed 'Breguet et fils No 4324'. The dial is held in a shallow recess by a single screw near the center, allowing it to stand proud of the dial plate.

A large bush is integrated into the winding hole to protect the dial. In addition to the main dial for the time of day, there are subsidiary dials for seconds and an up-and-down state-of-wind sector.

Evidence for this section
  • “Signature: On the dial 'Breguet et fils No 4324'.”
  • “Flat engraved and silvered brass dial held by a single screw near the centre in a shallow recess in the dial plate so that the dial stands proud.”
  • “A large bush is fitted in the hole for winding, to protect the dial from damage when the key is inserted.”

Movement and Internal Components

The movement construction utilizes a half-plate design with three straight cylindrical pillars. The escapement is an Earnshaw spring detent type mounted on a detachable lenticular platform.

Discrepancies in serial numbers are recorded: the front plate is punched 4524, and the mainspring is scratched with the number 4325. The mainspring, signed 'Vincent', is dated April 1826.

Evidence for this section
  • “A type of half plate construction with three straight cylindrical pillars”
  • “Punched on the inside of the front plate 4524.”
  • “The well-made tapered unblued mainspring signed 'Vincent Avril 1826 76° 4325 ', scratched in the surface of the outside of the spring.”

Box and Housing

The movement is housed in a brass bowl mounted in gimbals. This assembly is contained within a mahogany box equipped with handles, a lock, and a hinged lid over a glazed aperture.

A locking mechanism, operated by a lever on the side of the gimbal ring, engages a brass frame to press against the bottom of the bowl. Spring-loaded wood screws are fitted to the sides of the box for securing the unit to a surface.

Evidence for this section
  • “The movement contained in a brass bowl directly pivoted in the gimbal ring”
  • “The gimbal ring is pivoted in a mahogany box, and fitted with a locking device in the bottom of the box operated by a lever at the side of the gimbal ring.”
  • “There are also spring-loaded wood screws in the sides of the box, to secure this to a wooden surface”

Open research questions

  • What is the significance of the differing serial numbers (4324, 4524, and 4325) within the movement assembly?
  • What is the nature of the 'Edouard Anne / Bordeaux' label found inside the lid?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Breguet & Fils Marine Chronometer No. 4324
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Dial SignatureBreguet et fils No 4324“Signature: On the dial 'Breguet et fils No 4324'.”
EscapementEarnshaw spring detent“Escapement earnshaw spring detent”
Production PlaceParis (France)“Production place Made in: Paris (France)”
Mainspring Maker and InscriptionVincent Avril 1826 76° 4325“The well-made tapered unblued mainspring signed 'Vincent Avril 1826 76° 4325 '”
Front Plate Punch Mark4524“Punched on the inside of the front plate 4524.”
Beats per hour14,400“Beats per hour: 14,400”
Box Dimensions250 mm square, 228 mm height“Base 250 mm square, h. 228 mm.”
Production Date1829“Made by Breguet et Fils, 1829”

Visible details

  • Brass bowl suspended in a gimbal ring within an open, hinged mahogany box.
  • Engraved silvered dial featuring an upper dial for mean time, a large subsidiary seconds dial below, an up-and-down sector, and a winding aperture with a large protective bush.
  • Rectangular printed trade label pasted inside the upper lid inscribed 'Edouard ANNE / BORDEAUX'.
  • Glazed circular viewing window in the upper lid above the movement bowl.

Research qualifications

  • While the dial is inscribed No 4324, the museum catalog notes the inside of the front plate is punched 4524 and the mainspring is scratched 4325.
  • Internal movement details such as the Earnshaw escapement and mainspring signatures are not directly visible in the exterior photograph.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

marine chronometer; clock-case; box | British Museum

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 91e0db653f

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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