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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Deck watch

Deck watch by Breguet et Fils

Partially verified

This deck watch by Breguet et Fils is dated to circa 1830 in Paris. According to the Science Museum Group, the timepiece features a silver case stamped 1240 and 5077B, housed in an outer mahogany transport box lined with purple velvet. The silvered dial has Roman numerals, central blued steel Breguet hands, a subsidiary seconds dial at the top, a broad arrow insignia, and the signature '5077 Breguet et Fils'. The source reports a movement with a spring-detent escapement, two-arm compensation balance, helical spring, and diamond endstone. Purchased by the Royal Navy in July 1846, it was presented to the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in 1906.

Breguet et Fils deck watch no. 5077 in its fitted mahogany box
Breguet et Fils deck watch no. 5077 in its fitted mahogany box — The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk
Category
Pocket watch · Deck watch
Maker / attribution
Breguet et Fils
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
c. 1830
Country
France
Source-reported serial
5077

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 Exterior Identification

The timepiece features a silvered dial displaying Roman numerals, a subsidiary seconds dial, and blued steel Breguet-style hands. The dial is signed '5077 Breguet et Fils' and includes a military broad arrow insignia.

The watch is housed in an outer mahogany transport box lined with purple velvet. The lid features an ivory inset tab, and the box is signed with a broad arrow and 'Breguet et fils 5077'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Silvered dial with subsidiary seconds and signed ‘5077 Breguet et Fils’ also with the broad arrow mark.”
  • “Blued steel 'Breguet' hands.”
  • “Outer mahogany box lined with purple velvet, with ivory inset tab on lid, signed with a broad arrow and 'Breguet et fils 5077'.”

Internal Mechanism

The movement is described as a jewelled mechanism featuring a spring-detent escapement, a two-arm compensation balance, a helical spring with terminal curves, and a diamond endstone.

Internal markings include a broad arrow on the movement and the signature 'Breguet et Fils N5077' on both the movement and the gilded brass cuvette.

Evidence for this section
  • “Jewelled movement with spring detent escapement with a two-arm compensation balance, and a helical spring with terminal curves. Diamond endstone.”
  • “Signed ‘Breguet et Fils N5077’ on movement and on the gilded brass cuvette.”
  • “Broad arrow on movement.”

Provenance and Documentation

The watch is dated to approximately 1830 in Paris. The silver case is stamped with the numbers 1240 and 5077B.

The provenance records indicate the watch was purchased by the Royal Navy on July 1, 1846, and later presented to the museum of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in 1906.

Evidence for this section
  • “Deck watch with spring-detent escapement by Bregeut et Fils, Paris, c.1830.”
  • “Silver case stamped 1240 and 5077B.”
  • “Purchased by the Royal Navy 1st July 1846, and presented to the museum of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, 1906.”

Open research questions

  • What is the significance of the two distinct case numbers '1240' and '5077B' in relation to the serial number '5077'?
  • What criteria determined the application of the broad arrow military insignia in this instance?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Deck watch by Breguet et Fils
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
EscapementSpring detent escapement“Deck watch with spring-detent escapement by Bregeut et Fils, Paris, c.1830.”
Case Numbers1240 and 5077B“Silver case stamped 1240 and 5077B.”
Object NumberL2015-3360“Object Number: L2015-3360”
ProvenancePurchased by the Royal Navy in 1846“Purchased by the Royal Navy 1st July 1846, and presented to the museum of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, 1906.”
Watch Dimensions82 mm x 59 mm x 24 mm“watch (bow up): 82 mm x 59 mm x 24 mm”
Clockmakers' Museum ReferenceNo. 448“Clockmakers' Museum No. 448”

Visible details

  • Deck watch mounted bow-up inside an open hinged mahogany transport box.
  • Silvered dial displays Roman numerals, subsidiary dial at 12 o'clock, and blued steel Breguet hands.
  • Serial number '5077', a military broad arrow mark, and 'BREGUET ET FILS' are visible on the dial.
  • Brass hinges and a latch mechanism join the two halves of the wooden box.

Research qualifications

  • Internal jewelled movement, gilded brass cuvette, and the exterior of the box lid are not visible in the photograph.
  • Movement specifications, casing numbers, and provenance rely on source documentation.

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

Consulted source

Deck watch by Breguet et Fils | Science Museum Group Collection

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 39ae5db27a

Terms in this record

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

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