Breguet 4587

Feb 24, 2021,17:21 PM
 

As some of you are aware I sometimes accept restoration/service work IF it is "interesting to me".

This piece Breguet 4587, sold in 1825 is a very small pocket watch, 38mm diameter and 5.90mm thick with a Breguet ruby cylinder escapement.
These are rarely seen so I felt some would be interested in seeing some detailed photo's of this unusually small watch.






The movement seen through a loupe, the long lever crossing the movt. is for regulating the watch, it is connected to a pointer on the dial.




The barrel retains it's Breguet stop work (all too often this is missing), note the very fine steel pin holding the center finger in place.

  



The following 4 photo's are of the balance with the ruby cylinder, the ruby cylinder is 1.4mm in diameter, note the very delicate steel frame into which the ruby cylinder is cemented











The lower balance pivot post is screwed to a plate under the balance, it is shown against a mm rule to give an idea of how delicate it is.
The jewel and endstone are cemented into the steel post.





The upper jewel is cemented into the Parachute shock system, shown here is the upper and lower images of the steel Parachute assembly.







The unusually small escape wheel with Breguet's unique tooth shape, the pivots are 0.10mm diameter.




The movement is constructed in an "Under and Over" manner, meaning each wheel has an upper and lower cock to support it in place, this is very attractive to look at but can be difficult when assembling the movement.



In this photo the steel lower balance post can be seen giving a better idea of how delicate it really is.




Here are 2 links to Youtube video's of the watch running and an under dial video of the ruby cylinder in motion.












This message has been edited by cazalea on 2021-04-29 15:22:21


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Wow! Very cool...

 
 By: mdg : February 24th, 2021-17:55
...perfect size for a wristwatch : )

Very interesting; extremely unusual.

 
 By: mkvc : February 24th, 2021-18:06
Thanks for posting.

Thanks for sharing, David. I am glad it found its way to your capable hands

 
 By: Brandon Skinner : February 24th, 2021-18:26
Here are some additional photos of our mutual friend's watch ...  

Yep👍Cheers.

 
 By: FabR : February 24th, 2021-19:30
No message body

Fab FTW!!!

 
 By: Brandon Skinner : February 24th, 2021-21:10

Offer

 
 By: Jjmcd : April 28th, 2021-17:39
Are you comfortable with furnishing an offer to the owner?

Feel free to PM me your offer and the next time I see him I can run it by him

 
 By: Brandon Skinner : April 30th, 2021-23:30
I doubt he wants to sell it, David Walter *just* delivered it to him after servicing yesterday. I would advise your offer to be higher than what he paid at auction for it last year (or was it early this year???)... I forgot which auction house but I’m sur... 

Thank you for posting this interesting and informative piece.

 
 By: andyhud : February 24th, 2021-18:44
Amazing pocket watch and the delicate pieces are neat to see from almost 200 years ago. Such skill.

Clearly the work of the Da Vinci of vintage horology

 
 By: VinnieD : February 25th, 2021-00:15
You have lots of courage/competence to take on this restoration work. It must be great to work on such a historical piece

This is really cool.

 
 By: darmatgre-1 : February 25th, 2021-11:04
Love seeing timepieces like this one. Incredible to think that it will continue on as a functional instrument well into the future! Darren

Yes, it can be. That is it's purpose

 
 By: David Walter : February 25th, 2021-11:37

Very elegant ans practical solution.

 
 By: COUNT DE MONET : February 25th, 2021-12:02

Thanks!

 
 By: eklektik : May 12th, 2021-22:02
Dear David, Thanks a lot for sharing this information. We are very lucky to have you here! I watched your videos on this watch, it add a lot and presents well how different these watches are compared to current wristwatches. Best, E. PS: from your videos,... 

I like to

 
 By: David Walter : May 22nd, 2021-16:18
Provide details on rarely seen watches as many have fascinating complications and are often unknown to many.