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拍品專文
According to the Archives of Montres Breguet, the present watch, a small souscription à tact with case by Tavernier, was sold on Germinal an 8 (March-April 1800) to Monsieur Bastreche for the amount of 1,440 Francs.
The "montre à tact" or "tactful watch" was invented by Abraham Louis Breguet in the late 1790s during an epoch when it was unseemly to read the time in public. The "à tact" system helped to tactfully tell the time in polite society without taking the watch out of your pocket.
It is also known as the "watch for the blind" as the exposed pointer and markers on the band allow the wearer to determine the time by touch.
The present watch, sold in early 1800, is one of the earliest examples of a "montre à tact", which Breguet introduced in spring 1799. These watches were also called "médaillon à tact" and destined to be worn on a chain around the neck which explains the absence of a bow.
Breguet's à tact watches were fitted with a so-called variation of the "souscription" movement, classified as "petite" (small), "moyenne" (medium) and "grande" (large). It is thought that a total of around 915 of these movements were made, out of which about 35 "petites", such as the present watch, are known. These exclusive watches were quite costly, priced between 1,000 and 2,000 francs, those fitted with a jewelled case would cost as much as 5,000 francs.
The "montre à tact" or "tactful watch" was invented by Abraham Louis Breguet in the late 1790s during an epoch when it was unseemly to read the time in public. The "à tact" system helped to tactfully tell the time in polite society without taking the watch out of your pocket.
It is also known as the "watch for the blind" as the exposed pointer and markers on the band allow the wearer to determine the time by touch.
The present watch, sold in early 1800, is one of the earliest examples of a "montre à tact", which Breguet introduced in spring 1799. These watches were also called "médaillon à tact" and destined to be worn on a chain around the neck which explains the absence of a bow.
Breguet's à tact watches were fitted with a so-called variation of the "souscription" movement, classified as "petite" (small), "moyenne" (medium) and "grande" (large). It is thought that a total of around 915 of these movements were made, out of which about 35 "petites", such as the present watch, are known. These exclusive watches were quite costly, priced between 1,000 and 2,000 francs, those fitted with a jewelled case would cost as much as 5,000 francs.