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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Perpetual calendar openface pocket watch

Breguet yellow gold perpetual calendar openface pocket watch

Partially verified

According to the auction catalogue, this openface pocket watch by Breguet features an 18K yellow gold case measuring 48 mm in diameter, housing a manual, keyless movement. The silvered guilloché dial displays Roman numeral hour markers and blued hands. Complications include a perpetual calendar system with leap year indication alongside moon phases situated beneath the 12 o'clock position. The source notes the lot was accompanied by a certificate of origin dated December 29, 1999, a purchase receipt, product literature, and a leather folder.

Dial view of the Breguet 18K gold perpetual calendar openface pocket watch
Dial view of the Breguet 18K gold perpetual calendar openface pocket watch — Christie's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
onlineonly.christies.com
Category
Pocket watch · Perpetual calendar openface pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Breguet
Reference
1800BA
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1990
Country
Switzerland

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

Identity and Reference Discrepancy

Catalogued under the title designation reference 1800BA, this openface perpetual calendar pocket watch in 18K gold is assigned an estimated production period circa 1990. The cataloguer notes that it was consigned by the original owner and accompanied by a certificate of origin dated 29.12.1999, purchase receipt, product literature, and a leather folder.

There is an unresolved contradiction in the cataloguing records concerning the model reference. While the auction lot title records the reference as 1800BA, the lot essay specifically designates the timepiece as reference 3747. Neither movement nor interior case engravings are provided in the source to determine which reference number is stamped on the physical object.

Evidence for this section
  • “BREGUET, YELLOW GOLD PERPETUAL CALENDAR OPENFACE POCKET WATCH, REF. 1800BA,”
  • “Consigned by the original owner the present ref. 3747 has never been offered in public before”
  • “CIRCA: 1990”
  • “WITH: Certificate of origin dated: 29.12.1999, purchase receipt, product literature and leather folder”

Case and Dial Configuration

The 18K gold case measures 48 mm in diameter and is described as featuring a coin-edge band alongside visible elements including a round bow and pendant positioned at 12 o'clock. The condition report noted minor surface wear with crisp engravings on the case, alongside an overall evaluation of very good.

The dial is catalogued as silvered guilloché engraved, with visible engine-turned patterning and a brushed hour ring carrying Roman numerals. The layout features blued steel Breguet-style hands, a moon phase aperture positioned beneath 12 o'clock showing a gold-toned moon and stars against a blue disc, and three subsidiary dials indicating the date at 9 o'clock, the day of the week at 3 o'clock, and a 4-year perpetual calendar leap year cycle at 6 o'clock.

Evidence for this section
  • “CASE MATERIAL: 18K gold”
  • “CASE DIAMETER: 48 mm. diam.”
  • “DIAL: Silvered guilloché engraved”
  • “The engine-turned dial and coin-edge band are typical Breguet traits”
  • “Moon phase aperture situated beneath XII featuring a gold-toned moon and stars against a blue disc.”
  • “Subsidiary dials located at 9 o'clock for the date, 3 o'clock for the day of the week, and 6 o'clock for a 4-year perpetual calendar cycle.”
  • “Blued steel Breguet-style hands for hours and minutes, with blued subsidiary hands.”
  • “Engine-turned guilloché silvered dial plate with a brushed hour ring bearing Roman numerals.”
  • “Round bow and pendant positioned at 12 o'clock on the gold case.”

Mechanism and Source Limitations

The pocket watch is fitted with a manual-winding, keyless movement providing moon phases, perpetual calendar, and leap year functions. The specialist condition report indicated the movement was in working order at the time of cataloguing but had not been tested for accuracy, recommending a service.

Interior components of the watch are not visible in the provided auction documentation or photograph. Information regarding the internal movement calibre, jewel count, serial numbers, and cuvette or caseback stampings is not recorded in this source.

Evidence for this section
  • “MOVEMENT: Manual, keyless”
  • “FUNCTIONS: Moon phases, Perpetual Calendar, Leap Year”
  • “Movement: The movement is in working order at the time of cataloguing, consistent with the age of the watch. The movement has not been tested for accuracy. A service is recommended.”

Open research questions

  • Does the physical caseback or inner cuvette bear the model reference 1800BA or 3747?
  • What specific base calibre is utilized for the manual keyless movement and perpetual calendar mechanism?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Breguet yellow gold perpetual calendar openface pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case Material18K gold“CASE MATERIAL: 18K gold”
Case Diameter48 mm. diam.“CASE DIAMETER: 48 mm. diam.”
Circa1990“CIRCA: 1990”
DialSilvered guilloché engraved“DIAL: Silvered guilloché engraved”
MovementManual, keyless“MOVEMENT: Manual, keyless”
FunctionsMoon phases, Perpetual Calendar, Leap Year“FUNCTIONS: Moon phases, Perpetual Calendar, Leap Year”
AccompanimentsCertificate of origin dated 29.12.1999, purchase receipt, product literature, and leather folder“WITH: Certificate of origin dated: 29.12.1999, purchase receipt, product literature and leather folder”
Case Design DetailCoin-edge band“The engine-turned dial and coin-edge band are typical Breguet traits”

Visible details

  • Moon phase aperture situated beneath XII featuring a gold-toned moon and stars against a blue disc.
  • Subsidiary dials located at 9 o'clock for the date, 3 o'clock for the day of the week, and 6 o'clock for a 4-year perpetual calendar cycle.
  • Blued steel Breguet-style hands for hours and minutes, with blued subsidiary hands.
  • Engine-turned guilloché silvered dial plate with a brushed hour ring bearing Roman numerals.
  • Round bow and pendant positioned at 12 o'clock on the gold case.

Research qualifications

  • The auction lot title designates the watch as ref. 1800BA, whereas the lot essay refers to it as ref. 3747.
  • Movement and interior case components are not shown in the provided photograph.

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

Consulted source

BREGUET, YELLOW GOLD PERPETUAL CALENDAR OPENFACE POCKET WATCH, REF. 1800BA, | Christie’s

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 81593dfd00

Terms in this record

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