French platinum and gold quarter repeating watch Circa 1822

Gold, platinum hunting cased cylinder watch by Breguet
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A rare and slim French gold and platinum hunting cased quarter repeating ruby cylinder watch no. 3773, circa 1822. This watch features a 20”’ gilded movement with an underslung ruby cylinder escapement, a plain flat three-arm balance with bimetallic compensation curb and parachute suspension, two polished steel hammers repeating on two short polished gongs, and a polished gold cuvette with apertures for winding and regulation. The cuvette is secured by a single-blued steel screw and is signed and numbered faite par Breguet no. 3773. The silver engine-turned dial is adorned with a satin-finished chapter ring displaying Roman numerals, an outer minute ring, blued steel moon hands, and an aperture for hand adjustment. It bears the signature Breguet et Fils at the base.
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The gold and platinum case, made by Joly, has engine-turned covers, a platinum body and engine-turned band, and a quarter-turn plunge pendant for repeat. Both covers are numbered 3773 B and 2459 with stars beneath, and the back cover bears Paris control marks for 1819–1838 and a rubbed case maker’s mark. The watch was sold to Comte Potocki on March 14, 1822, bought back, and re-sold to Mme Dupaty on November 3, 1829, for 2,400 francs. It comes with a Breguet certificate dated September 2, 2020.
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Diameter: 53 mm
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Signed: Breguet et Fils
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The movement is running smoothly and appears to be operating well. The dial has some scuffs towards the centre but is generally in good, clean condition. The case is also in generally good condition, with some rubbing to the engine-turning at the edges of the case back and wear to the bow peak. There are no control marks on the inside front cover.
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This fine and slender hunting-cased watch is notable for its unique combination of gold and platinum in the construction of its case. Count Stanislas Kostka Potocki (1755–1821) was born in Lublin, Poland, and married Princess Aleksandra Lubomirska (1760–1836), the daughter of Stanislaw Lubomirski, a Grand Marshall of the Crown, in 1776. Count Potocki held the Knighthood of the White Eagle and Saint Stanislaus Merits and was Great Master of the Polish Freemasons. He founded the University of Warsaw in 1816 and was elected President of the Senate in 1818. He dedicated his fortune to promoting literature, sciences, and the arts. He amassed a beautiful collection of paintings, Etruscan vases, and engravings at his castle, Wilanów, near Warsaw. Potocki’s collections were displayed to the public in a portion of the castle, making it one of Poland’s earliest museums. Among the other Breguets owned by Count Potocki were: no. 1176, a four-minute tourbillon (purchased in 1809); and a ring watch (1810).