Clock · Travelling clock

Breguet Gilt Brass Travelling Clock No. 4768

Partially verified

This gilt brass travelling clock, numbered 4768, was completed on 5 December 1903. It features an eight-day movement with two trains, housed within a rectangular case. The object is designed for both timekeeping and audible functions, including hour and half-hour striking, an alarm, and a push-button repeating mechanism that functions on a gong. The construction employs a horizontal platform fitted with a straight-line lever escapement and a cut bimetallic balance, accompanied by a blued-steel Breguet balance spring. The exterior aesthetic includes Empire-style elements such as Corinthian columns, floral and palm leaf decorations, and a single loop handle with lion's head supports. The clock stands on spiral rope pattern feet. The primary dial is engine-turned silver with Roman numerals, supplemented by an auxiliary dial for the alarm setting. The auction description notes the piece was sold on 3 September 1909 for 1000 Francs to Mademoiselle Sonia Darbell.

Gilt brass travelling clock, numbered 4768, featuring a silver dial and an alarm setting sub-dial. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category: Clock · Travelling clock
Maker / attribution: Breguet
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 141
Source-reported date: 1903
Source-reported place: Not established
Source-reported serial: 4768

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

Case and Dial

The clock features a gilt brass case constructed in an Empire style. It is glazed on four sides as well as the top, allowing for visibility into the interior mechanisms. The design incorporates Corinthian columns at the corners and includes decorative elements such as palm leaf foliage and flowers. The clock rests upon spiral rope pattern feet and is equipped with a single loop handle supported by lion's heads.

The dial is composed of engine-turned silver and features Roman numerals on a plain reserve. It is signed with the maker's name and the serial number. An auxiliary dial, also engine-turned, is positioned below the main dial to facilitate alarm setting using Arabic numerals. The dial assembly includes a gilt metal engine-turned mask and blued-steel Breguet hands.

Evidence for this section

“Case: Empire style with corinthien columns, glazed on four sides and the top, and decorated with palm leaf foliage and flowers.”
“Dial: Engine-turned silver, signed: "Breguet, No. 4768", with Roman numerals on a plain reserve.”
“Small auxillary dial for alarm setting with Arabic numerals.”

Movement and Functions

The interior contains an eight-day movement with rectangular brass plates and a two-train configuration. The back plate is signed with the Breguet name and serial number. The movement is mounted with a horizontal platform containing a straight-line lever escapement. Timekeeping accuracy is regulated by a cut bimetallic balance and a blued-steel Breguet balance spring.

Audible functions include hour and half-hour striking, as well as an alarm, both of which operate on a gong. The clock also provides a user-activated repeating function, which is triggered by a push button and strikes the hour on a gong.

Evidence for this section

“Movement: Eight day, rectangular brass plates, two train, the back plate signed: "Breguet, No. 4768”
“the horizontal platform with straight line lever escapement, and cut bimetallic balance.”
“Hour and half-hour striking, and alarm on a gong, with push botton released hour repeating on a gong”

Provenance and Documentation

The record identifies the clock as number 4768, which was completed in December 1903. According to the auction description, the clock was sold to a Mademoiselle Sonia Darbell several years later, on 3 September 1909. The purchase price recorded at that time was 1000 Francs.

The auction house reports that the clock is currently in good condition. The provided dimensions for the piece are 125 mm by 90 mm by 70 mm.

Evidence for this section

“A Mademoiselle Sonia Darbell Clock No. 4768, completed on 5 December 1903, sold on 3 September 1909, for the sum of 1000 Francs.”
“In good condition.”
“Dim. 125 x 90 x 70 mm.”

Open research questions

What is the specific archival context of the 'A Mademoiselle Sonia Darbell' designation?
Does the serial number 4768 correspond to specific production ledgers in the Breguet archives?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Breguet Gilt Brass Travelling Clock No. 4768
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Maker	Breguet	“signed: "Breguet, No. 4768”
Serial Number	4768	“Clock No. 4768”
Date of Completion	5 December 1903	“completed on 5 December 1903”
Date of Sale	3 September 1909	“sold on 3 September 1909”
Case Dimensions	125 x 90 x 70 mm	“Dim. 125 x 90 x 70 mm”
Movement Type	Eight day, rectangular brass plates	“Eight day, rectangular brass plates”
Sale Price	1000 Francs	“sold on 3 September 1909, for the sum of 1000 Francs.”

Visible details

Engine-turned silver dial with Roman numerals
Blued-steel Breguet hands
Single loop handle with lion's head support
Spiral rope pattern feet

Research qualifications

The exact country of manufacture is not stated in the source
The source provides a record of sale but does not provide additional provenance history

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

Consulted source

A Mademoiselle Sonia Darbell Clock No. 4768, completed on 5 December 1903, sold on 3 September 1909, for the sum of 1000 Francs. Gilt brass travelling clock with striking, repeating and alarm.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record bb8604c398

Terms in this record

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