Important French gold lever chronometer watch Circa 1933

Gold watch in Breguet morocco leather covered box
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A very fine, rare and very important French, 18 Carat yellow gold, keyless lever chronometer pocket watch, circa 1933. Having obtained a first class gold medal at the Besançon Observatory Timing Contest, with 236 points, with split seconds chronograph, 60-minute register, Guillaume balance and the original Breguet morocco leather covered box. Sold on November 30, 1933, for 7,000 French francs, to John Wanamaker.
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A massive Empire case polished with a coin edge band. Hinged gold cuvette. White enamel dial, radial Roman numerals, outer minute and fifths of a second division with five minute Arabic numerals, subsidiary dials for the seconds, 60 minute register at 12 o’clock. Blued steel spade hands. A frosted gilt movement, 24 jewels, straight line lever escapement, Anibal-brass Guillaume balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring, index regulator, chronograph and split seconds mechanism set on the back. Dial signed, case and movement numbered.
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Diameter: 53 mm
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Signed: Breguet et fils
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The viper’s head was the official Besançon Observatory hallmark. The more complicated a timepiece is, the more difficult it is to adjust, particularly as concerns complications such as a chronograph, split seconds function, and/or a register. The additional wheelwork affects the timepiece’s functioning, because of the amount of energy required but often only sporadically, when, for example, the chronograph is in use and because of the friction to which the moving parts of the mechanism levers, springs, etc. are subjected.
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John Wanamaker Born in Philadelphia in 1838, John Wanamaker pioneered the concept of the department store. In 1861 Wanamaker and his brother-in-law, Nathan Brown, opened Oak Hall, a men’s clothing store. The concept of truth in advertising earned him the public’s trust, which he never lost. In 1911 Wanamaker expanded the Philadelphia store, featuring a 150-foot-high Grand Court with the world’s second largest organ and a great eagle from the 1903 St. Louis World’s Fair, which became a popular landmark and meeting spot.