French pocket watch with diamond-set visible balance Circa 1800

Gold open faced pocket watch by Breguet
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A French fine gentleman’s pocket watch with diamond-set visible balance, circa 1800.
18 carat gold engine-turned case with case design “quatre baguettes”, engine-turned band and case maker’s punch mark “IE. Silver engine-turned dial with peripheral chapter ring with radial Roman numerals, diamond-set visible balance on an engine-turned mask and blued lozenge hands. Bridge movement, keywind, frosted, gilt, with hanging barrel and cylinder escapement.
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Diameter: 42 mm
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Weight: 53 g
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Signed: Breguet
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Forgeries of A. L. Breguet watches Breguet was the best and the most renowned watchmaker of his time. He was also a most sought-after victim of counterfeiting, which made him create a secret signature to distinguish his authentic works from the forgeries. A large number of counterfeit watches with Breguet’s forged signature were produced during his life time and even after his death. Most of these watches were ofpoor quality or not even of a type ever produced by Breguet. Fakes often appear to be of genuine Breguet origin; but to the eyes of a connoisseur, the quality and technical details make the forgery glaringly obvious. However, this is an exceptionally rare watch of very high quality even if it was not made by Breguet.