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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Souscription pocket watch

Souscription watch by Abraham-Louis Breguet

Partially verified

This souscription pocket watch by Abraham-Louis Breguet is reported by the Science Museum Group as made in Paris circa 1801 (also noted as c.1800). The piece has a silver case with gold bezels and bow, stamped 631, bearing French hallmarks and the makers-mark of Antoine Guillemin. Its white enamel dial displays Arabic numerals, a single blued hour hand, and is signed 'BREGUET' at the lower margin, with the source reporting a secret signature below 12. The movement is reported as signed 'Breguet No. 631' and equipped with Breguet's ruby cylinder escapement, parachute suspension, and a compensation curb.

Dial and front view of Breguet souscription watch No. 631
Dial and front view of Breguet souscription watch No. 631 — Science Museum Group/The Clockmakers' Museum © 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 · Souscription pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Abraham-Louis Breguet
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
L2015-4101
Source-reported date
circa 1801
Country
France
Source-reported serial
631

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 Construction

This pocket watch is identified by the serial number 631. The case is constructed of silver with gold bezels and a gold bow.

The case features French hallmarks and the maker's mark of Antoine Guillemin. The object is recorded in the Clockmakers' Museum collection under number 1191.

Evidence for this section
  • “Silver case with gold bezels and bow, stamped 631, with French hallmarks and makers-mark for Antoine Guillemin.”
  • “Clockmakers' Museum No. 1191.”

Dial and Visual Features

The watch has a white enamel dial with a single hour hand. The dial is signed 'Breguet' around the edge and is reported to feature a secret signature below 12 o'clock.

A circular aperture is visible on the dial, and hairline cracks are present, radiating from the center arbor.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial, with secret signature below 12 and signed 'Breguet' around the edge.”
  • “Single hour hand.”
  • “A small circular winding or setting aperture visible on the dial just above 6 o'clock.”
  • “Fine hairline cracks radiating outward across the dial surface from the center arbor.”

Movement Specifications

The movement is signed 'Breguet No. 631'. The technical features, including a ruby cylinder escapement, parachute suspension, and a compensation curb, are recorded by the source.

The movement is not visible in the provided imagery.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement with Breguet's form of ruby cylinder escapement, and balance with parachute suspension and compensation curb.”
  • “Signed on the movement ‘Breguet No. 631’.”

Open research questions

  • Are there specific archival records linking serial number 631 to an original purchaser?
  • Can the secret signature be verified against the physical object, as it is not discernible in the source image?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Souscription watch by Abraham-Louis Breguet
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerAbraham-Louis Breguet“Souscription watch by Abraham-Louis Breguet”
Datecirca 1801“Made: circa 1801”
CaseSilver case with gold bezels and bow, stamped 631“Silver case with gold bezels and bow, stamped 631”
Case maker's markAntoine Guillemin“makers-mark for Antoine Guillemin”
Hand configurationSingle hour hand“Single hour hand.”
Movement signatureBreguet No. 631“Signed on the movement ‘Breguet No. 631’.”
Museum collection numberClockmakers' Museum No. 1191“Clockmakers' Museum No. 1191.”
Materialssilver, gold, steel, brass, enamel, glass, ruby“Materials: silver (alloy) , gold (metal) , steel (metal) , brass (copper, zinc alloy) , enamel , glass and ruby”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with italicized Arabic hour numerals and a fine peripheral calibration track.
  • Single blued steel Breguet-style hand pointing roughly toward 6:30.
  • Signed 'BREGUET' along the bottom outer margin of the dial below 6 o'clock.
  • A small circular winding or setting aperture visible on the dial just above 6 o'clock.
  • Fine hairline cracks radiating outward across the dial surface from the center arbor.
  • Gold bezel and pendant bow paired with a spherical silver pendant collar.

Research qualifications

  • The movement, inner cuvette, and case back are not visible in the photograph; movement features rely entirely on source reporting.
  • The secret signature reported below 12 cannot be clearly resolved in the photograph.

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

Consulted source

Souscription watch by Abraham-Louis Breguet | Science Museum Group Collection

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record bff016e0b8

Terms in this record

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

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