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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Montre de Souscription

Breguet Montre de Souscription No. 2738

Partially verified

This Breguet No. 2738 is an 18K gold 'Montre de Souscription' pocket watch, originally sold to Leriche on November 8, 1815. The watch features a white enamel dial with characteristic Breguet numerals, an outer track with 2 1/2 minute divisions, and a secret signature below the 12 o'clock position. The three-body, Empire-style case includes a glazed back. The movement is a 57 mm (25 ligne) frosted gilt souscription calibre with a central barrel that can be wound from either the front or the back. It incorporates an overhanging ruby cylinder escapement, a three-arm brass balance, a pare-chute system on the top pivot, a blued steel flat balance spring, and an index regulator fitted with a temperature compensation curb. Both the dial and movement are signed and numbered. The total diameter of the watch is 60 mm.

Front view of the Breguet Montre de Souscription, showing the white enamel dial and blued-steel hand signed 'Breguet et Fils'.
Front view of the Breguet Montre de Souscription, showing the white enamel dial and blued-steel hand signed 'Breguet et Fils'. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Montre de Souscription
Maker / attribution
Breguet
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
143
Source-reported date
1815
Source-reported place
Not established
Source-reported serial
2738

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 case is notable for its glazed back, which allows for visibility of the internal frosted gilt movement.

The white enamel dial displays standard Breguet numerals and a peripheral minute track marked with 2 1/2 minute divisions. The dial incorporates a secret signature positioned below the 12 o'clock numeral. The time is indicated by a single blued-steel hand, also in the Breguet style, consistent with the minimal aesthetic of this reference.

Evidence for this section
  • “C. Three-body, ?Empire?, with glazed back.”
  • “D. White enamel, Breguet numerals and outer five-minute track with 2 1/2 minute divisions, signed on the reverse ?Borel, 250?, secret signature below 12. Blued-steel Breguet hand.”

Movement and Escapement

The watch utilizes a 57 mm (25 ligne) frosted gilt souscription calibre. A defining technical feature of this movement is the central barrel, engineered to be wound from either the front or the back of the watch. The escapement is an overhanging ruby cylinder type, paired with a three-arm brass balance.

Technical enhancements within the movement include a pare-chute anti-shock device fitted to the top balance pivot. Regulation is managed via an index regulator that incorporates a temperature compensation curb. The balance spring is a flat, blued-steel hairspring. Both the dial and the movement bear the maker's signature and the serial number 2738.

Evidence for this section
  • “frosted gilt, souscription calibre, central barrel wound from the front or back, overhanging Breguet ruby cylinder escapement”
  • “the top pivot with pare-chute, blued steel flat balance spring, temperature compensation curb fitted to the index regulator.”

Condition and Provenance

Records indicate that this watch was originally sold to a client named Leriche in November 1815 for the price of 845 Francs. The auction description provides a formal grading for the individual components of the watch, noting the case as 'Fair' and mentioning that it is lacking certain elements.

The dial is also assessed as 'Good,' despite noting that it shows minor signs of damage.

Evidence for this section
  • “Sold to Leriche on November 8, 1815, for 845 Francs.”
  • “Case: 4-29 Fair Lacking elements”
  • “Movement: 3* Good Overhaul recommended”
  • “Dial: 3-13-01 Good Slightly damaged”

Open research questions

  • What specific elements are missing from the case as indicated by the 'Lacking elements' description?
  • To what extent has the movement been modified or repaired since the 1815 sale to Leriche?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Breguet Montre de Souscription No. 2738
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerBreguet“Breguet, No. 2738.”
Sale DateNovember 8, 1815“Sold to Leriche on November 8, 1815”
Case Material18K gold“18K gold Montre de Souscription”
Case Diameter60 mm“Diam. 60 mm.”
Movement TypeSouscription calibre“frosted gilt, souscription calibre”
EscapementRuby cylinder“ruby cylinder escapement”
Dial FeaturesSecret signature“secret signature below 12.”
WindingFront or back“central barrel wound from the front or back”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with Breguet numerals
  • Glazed back view of the internal movement
  • Single central blued-steel Breguet hand
  • Breguet et Fils signature on the dial

Research qualifications

  • The auction description reports the case is 'Fair' and 'Lacking elements'
  • The auction description reports the movement is 'Good' but states 'Overhaul recommended'
  • The auction description reports the dial is 'Good' but 'Slightly damaged'

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

Consulted source

'Souscription' Breguet, No. 2738. Sold to Leriche on November 8, 1815, for 845 Francs. Fine, 18K gold Montre de Souscription, pocket watch with ruby cylinder escapement.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 7aa9c69dbf

Terms in this record

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