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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch

Breguet 'répétition à ponts' quarter repeating pocket watch, No. 1944

Partially verified

This 20K gold quarter-repeating pocket watch, numbered 1944, was produced by Breguet and sold on November 15, 1809, to Monsieur Hemoc for Monsieur de Bourienne. The timepiece features an Empire-style case by the casemaker Joly, characterized by engine-turned surfaces and a polished bezel. Internally, the watch is fitted with a gilt movement measuring 51 mm, incorporating a standing barrel and an overhanging ruby cylinder escapement. Timing regulation is provided by a plain three-arm balance with a parachute shock protection system on the top pivot and a bimetallic temperature compensation curb. The white enamel dial displays Breguet numerals, an outer minute track, and includes a secret signature. The piece retains its original blued steel Breguet-style hands.

Front view of the enamel dial and movement assembly, showing the repeating mechanism and balance wheel
Front view of the enamel dial and movement assembly, showing the repeating mechanism and balance wheel — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Breguet
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
19
Source-reported date
1809
Source-reported place
France
Source-reported serial
1944

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 watch is housed in a four-body, Empire-style gold case, identified by the serial number 1606. The exterior surfaces are finished with engine-turning, complemented by a polished bezel and border. A hinged gold cuvette protects the internal movement, which is accessed from the rear.

The white enamel dial was produced by Borel and features the characteristic Breguet-style numerals and an outer minute track. A secret signature is positioned below the numeral 12. Time is indicated by original blued steel hands in the Breguet style.

Evidence for this section
  • “C. Four-body, ?Empire?, No. 1606, by Joly (master mark), engineturned with polished bezel and border.”
  • “D. White enamel by Borel with Breguet numerals and outer minute track, secret signature below 12.”

Movement and Mechanism

The 51 mm gilt movement features a standing barrel and a jeweled train. The watch employs an overhanging ruby cylinder escapement for timekeeping. Regulation is managed via an index regulator equipped with a bimetallic temperature compensation curb, while the balance assembly includes a parachute system on the top pivot to protect the balance staff.

The repeating function is an all-or-nothing system. When the pendant is depressed, the mechanism engages a single hammer that strikes against a block mounted directly to the case, enabling the quarter-repeating acoustic display.

Evidence for this section
  • “M. 51 mm. (23???), gilt, standing barrel, jeweled train, overhanging ruby cylinder escapement, plain three-arm balance with parachute on the top pivot”
  • “all-or-nothing repeating with a single hammer on a block on the case activated by depressing the pendant.”

Provenance and Condition

The auction house records indicate that the watch was purchased on November 15, 1809, for 2,000 francs by Monsieur Hemoc for Louis Antoine Fauvelet de Bourienne.

Regarding the current state of the piece, the auction house grades the case and dial as 'Good' and the movement as 'Good'.

Evidence for this section
  • “sold to Monsieur Hemoc pour Monsieur de Bourienne on November 15, 1809, for 2,000 francs.”
  • “Louis Antoine Fauvelet de Bourienne (1769 - 1834) was a French diplomat”
  • “Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense”

Open research questions

  • What is the current mechanical state of the repeating hammer block assembly?
  • Are there additional records in the Breguet archives detailing the maintenance history of this watch since 1809?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Breguet 'répétition à ponts' quarter repeating pocket watch, No. 1944
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerBreguet“Breguet, No. 1944”
Serial Number1944“Breguet, No. 1944”
Date of SaleNovember 15, 1809“sold to Monsieur Hemoc pour Monsieur de Bourienne on November 15, 1809”
Case Material20K gold“20K gold 'répétition à ponts'”
CasemakerJoly“No. 1606, by Joly (master mark)”
Movement Diameter51 mm“M. 51 mm. (23???)”
Original PurchaserMonsieur Hemoc (for Monsieur de Bourienne)“sold to Monsieur Hemoc pour Monsieur de Bourienne”

Visible details

  • Case is engine-turned with a polished bezel
  • Repeating mechanism strikes a block inside the case
  • White enamel dial includes a secret signature below the 12
  • Movement includes a parachute shock protection system

Research qualifications

  • Condition of the movement is rated as 'Good' but the auction house recommends an overhaul
  • Specific details regarding the long-term history of ownership beyond the 1809 sale remain reliant on the archival record

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

Consulted source

'A Monsieur Hemoc pour Monsieur de Bourienne' Breguet, No. 1944, sold to Monsieur Hemoc pour Monsieur de Bourienne on November 15, 1809, for 2,000 francs. Very fine and rare, 20K gold 'répétition à ponts', quarter repeating à toc pocket watch with ruby cylinder escapement.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record c7d2e2651c

Terms in this record

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

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