French 18K gold quarter repeating cylinder watch Circa 1805

Gold open faced pocket watch
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An exquisite French 18 carat gold, keywinding, open faced, quarter repeating cylinder pocket watch, made by Breguet & Fils, circa the early 19th century. This watch features a mechanical movement with key winding, cylinder escapement, spiral balance, and an advance/delay adjustment. It includes a fall prevention system and chimes with a two hammer quarter repeater on the gong, activated by the pendant crown. The silvered, guilloché dial is signed Breguet & Fils, with Roman numerals, outer minute dots, and Breguet hands. The gold case has a guilloché back, is signed and numbered HOR ger DE LA MARINE ROYALE, and has a square winding crown with an inside case back numbered. It comes with archival information confirming the first sale in 1805 and subsequent resale by Breguet in 1822.
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Diameter: 56 mm
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Weight: 118.28 g
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Signed: Breguet et Fils
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The watch was refurbished and sold to Mr De Clercy on August 22, 1822. It was formerly watch No. 1453, sold in Spain in 1805. The watch comes from Breguet’s early production period, when Abraham-Louis was supported by his son, as shown by the signature on the dial, Breguet et Fils.
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Though born in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, Abraham-Louis Breguet is regarded as the most French among Swiss watchmakers. He operated from the Quai de l’Horloge in Paris and created some of the most renowned pieces in watchmaking history, including the famous watch no. 160, made for Queen Marie Antoinette in 1783.
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The two dates found in the archives mark different eras, with clients ranging from the Empire to the Restoration. This long history allowed Abraham-Louis Breguet to earn the title “the king of watchmakers and the watchmaker to kings, as evidenced by the prestigious honour Horloger de la Marine Royal awarded by the king. Although this watch was initially sold in Spain without a specific name for delivery, it likely belonged to an illustrious family like the Marquise de Santiago (1804).
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The dial shows scratches and signs of use, with visible wear throughout. The movement operates intermittently, and the striking mechanism is nonfunctional and requires a full overhaul.