Lot 247

Breguet à Paris, 27 x 18 x 10 mm, 15 g, circa 1820
An extraordinary, navette shaped ring watch with visible balance and decorated with enamel - with original box
Case: 18k rose gold. Dial: eccentric white enamel dial with Arabic hours, upper part with a polished disc with four curved arms illustrating a visible balance surrounded by an opaque blue enamelled ground with golden flowers. Movm.: moulded movement, cylinder escapement.
Ring watches
Even as early as in the 16th century watchmakers were fascinated by the idea of fitting a watch into a ring – however, only a few of them managed such a feat. This did not change during the 19th century; any successful attempt to create a watch of this kind brought immediate fame to its maker, especially if the watch found a prominent buyer. It was probably James Widman's ring watch that was worn by the Duke of Mantua and Antoine Rojard’s fame based itself on Napoleon Bonaparte's watch – even the young John Arnold was able to present an exquisite ring watch to King George III of England; this immediately made him a celebrated watchmaker.
This ring watch bears the signature of Breguet à Paris.

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