Lot 132

Breguet et fils à Paris, Horlogers de la Marine Royale, Movement No. 4859, 215 x 140 x 195 mm, circa 1838
An important French ship's chronometer with the original ratchet key no. 4859, sold on June 30, 1846 for the sum of 2,400 Francs to the Ministère de la Marine Royale - with Breguet certificate no. 3139
Case: heavy mahogany box. Dial: silvered. Movm.: brass movement, 2 barrels, applied platform no. 169 with spring detent escapement according to Thomas Earnshaw, tripod adjusting device for the helical balance spring, bimetallic chronometer balance with 4 weights and 2 screws, hack feature.
Despite the complex construction - which has, for example a very intricate holder for the balance that can be adjusted with three screws - the design of Breguet's chronometers allows for a very efficient production process. The train is not fitted between the main plates but sits underneath the dial, which makes it easily accessible. The escapement can be worked on without touching the rest of the movement - a locking lever stops the movement as soon as the balance mechanism is removed.