Horology: The Estate of David G. Newsom
Description:
Abraham-Louis Breguet No. 2729 "Une Minute" Tourbillon Watch, sold to Le Baron de Pomaniczky, October 28, 1817, for 1800 francs, engine-turned dial with silver roman numeral chapter ring, subsidiary seconds at 12, blued-steel Breguet hands, signed "Breguet et Fils," one-minute tourbillon chain fusee movement, with lever escapement, three-arm compensated balance, spiral steel spring with terminal curve, and gold timing screws, "secret" signature and movement number, dia. 58 mm.
Provenance: The estate of David G. Newsom.
Note: The 18kt gold three-piece engine-turned case, chain, and key were reproduced and manufactured by Breguet from 2014 to 2019. According to Breguet Depuis 1775 the watch no. 2567 that is in the possession of the Frick museum offered the nearest clues to be able to reproduce this case. This watch also belongs to a set of ten watches that incorporate a tourbillon movement produced by Frederic Houriet and was manufactured by Breguet between 1810 and 1817. There is a two-page document from Breguet regarding the restoration and cost dated January 20, 2014.
Estimate $200,000-300,000
Update 10-12-21. The watch no. 2567 is in the Frick Museum in new York, not the Breguet museum. A two-page letter from Breguet Depuis 1775 dated January 14, 2014 to Mr. Newsom explains a brief history of the tourbillon watch 2729, and a "rough" estimate for the completion of the case that was $42,500, that included the gold. The restoration was $18,200.
Items may have wear and tear, imperfections, or the effects of aging. Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.
Keywords
Breguet, David G. Newsom, Frederic Houriet
Jonathan Dowling
Director, Clocks, Watches & Scientific Instruments
508-970-3131

John Colasacco
Deputy Director, Jewelry
617-874-4313