French 20k gold quarter repeating pocket watch Circa 1824

Gold open faced cylinder pocket watch
–
A very fine French, 20K gold quarter repeating pocket watch, circa 1824. Sold to Devolue, Meuron & Cie on January 31, 1824, for 1,254 Frs. An Empire, polished case, gilt hinged cuvette. Silver dial by Tavernier with the name THADEE TODWEN in the place of numerals, outer minute dot divisions, engine-turned centre, secured by a screw. Blued steel Breguet hands.
–
A gilt brass movement, bridge calibre, Breguet ruby cylinder escapement, plain three arms gilt balance, blued steel flat balance spring, pare-chute on the top pivot, compensating curb, repeating on two short gongs by two hammers by the pull-and-twist piston on the band at 2 o’clock. Signed on the cuvette, movement, dial and case punched with serial number, case stamped with the case maker’s mark and French guarantee marks.
–
Diameter: 53 mm
–
Signed: Breguet
–
The dial is slightly oxidized.
–
This watch testifies to the commercial relationship between Breguet and the Meuron firm of Chaux-de-Fonds, who ordered the watch to be delivered to Thadée Todwen, a member of an old Polish noble family. Further proof of these professional ties is the fact that Breguet lost a box containing several pieces, destined to be delivered to his Paris firm, in the fire which destroyed much of Chaux-de-Fonds in 1794. Emmanuel Breguet, Breguet, Horloger depuis 1775, Alain de Gourcuff Editeur, 1997.