A Watch From My Father's Collection

[By-Tor]

Met my father yesterday and took a look at his gen collection. 2 IWC's, 4 Rolexes, a Glashutte and many others. However one really got my attention: A pocket watch.

This watch was a gift to my great grandfather. I have no idea when he received this, but I suspect it was in the 30's. He was very highly positioned man in my country's government. All he knows that this watch was a gift from the French. That still doesn't mean it's extremely valuable, but I think it's quite a stunner, either way. The dial has no markings but my father claims this watch is a Breguet.

Well anyway... he allowed me to take his watches for a photoshoot. I was going to take a GMT Master and make a rep/gen comparison, but then again we see boring Rolexes every day so I took this. I don't know if it's valuable but it sure is interesting... and something you don't see every day.

It comes in a wooden, decorated (original) box:

Both inner and outer caseback have 18K markings. Thus I have no reason to believe this watch is "tripple wrapped"... instead of solid gold.

The inner caseback has this text (I hope I didn't misspell anything). My French is a bit rusty so I'd appreciate a translation.

Remontoir

Ecchappement a Amore

Ligne Droitelovees visible

Spiral Breguet, 16 Rubis

Balancier Coupé

Borel Nuchatel

No: 79122

The beauty is in the movement. I have absolutely no idea what it is, but it's a hand wind movement (naturally) and it keeps excellent time. The tick is very loud. Here are some movement shots I took for you to enjoy.

PS: I don't think the marking "retard" on one of the bridges was meant as an insult.

[By-Tor]

I made a little research and found out that this watch is not Breguet, it's most likely a "Borel Neuchatel". The marking "Spiral Breguet" probably refers to a Breguet manufactured balance wheel on the movement (or something similar).

This Ebay listing has good history and description of the company:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1900s-BOREL-NEUCHATEL-...VQQcmdZViewItem

PS: Not sure about the practical value but the pocket watches are beautiful items for people who like antique. Stuff from the old, better times... when men were still gentlemen... and ladies were real Ladies. You know... times before the gangsta rap and Paris Hilton.

[Pugwash]

To repeat what I said on RWI:

Remontoire

Echappement à Ancre

Ligne droite levées visibles ...

It's a 16 jewel Remontoire movement with a Breguet coil and lever escapement, made by Ernest Borel of Neuchatel.

[By-Tor]

Thanks for the translation Puggy.

[Watchmeister]

Their is nothing better than a watch rich with family history. Thanks for sharing.

[Jetsons]

That is one amazing time piece, BT!

I'm a big admirer of vintage pocket watches. One can almost picture the craftsman laboring over an old wooden bench adding all the intricate touches and assembling these fine pieces. Unfortunatley, this is mostly a lost art today with very few exceptions. The hand painted ceramic dials are fabulous.

Thanks for sharing! Your Dad has terrific taste.

[By-Tor]

Thanks guys. It's a nice thing to photograph too. Can't take a bad picture of such a beautiful thing.

And I knew you'd like it Jet.

[ubiquitous]

Gorgeous.... Amazing to think about the true artistry that went into such a piece. Each part made by hand or with simple tools and machines... No CNC, no CAD... On a piece that has survived nearly a century, and will live for generations to come.

[HauteHippie]

That's an exquisite piece, ByTor.... Many thanks for this as opposed to the gen/rep GMT compare!!

[By-Tor]

That's an exquisite piece, ByTor.... Many thanks for this as opposed to the gen/rep GMT compare!!

Thanks Ubi and Chief.

@chief:

The problem is that my fathers GMT is Master I... so comparing that to the current rep wouldn't be that useful.

[Devedander]

Nice!! I like the hands... something about that style (is that art nevou?) always makes me just stare...

Does it keep good time?

[TomBombadil]

Beautiful pocketwatch By-Tor! I love the roman numerals with the intricate hands and gold case. It all works well together and is very much a stunner. The movement is very nice looking too and I love that you have the original wood case.

Thank you for sharing.

[By-Tor]

Just a bump for this.

I got this old thing serviced recently and the watchmaker was quite thrilled to work on it.

[Jkay]

I thought I had read here that the "curved tooth" gear train was a Vacheron Constatin trademark ..

[Nanuq]

That's a beauty, BT. Very nice! It's hard not to sit and just stare at those beautiful old movements.

[esco]

Absolutely amazing! I had to laugh at the "Retard" engraving though... may I ask what it means in in horology terms?

Edited November 8, 2010 by dleerious

[vlydog]

Absolutely amazing! I had to laugh at the "Retard" engraving though... may I ask what it means in in horology terms?

to slow I suppose

[wheaton26]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzGeRR1YZA8&feature=related

[KB]

Actually retard is used in many mechanical applications not just watches, it is simply the opposite to Advance, as vlydog said "to Slow'

That is a beautiful piece By-Tor I have no idea how I missed this the first time around but glad I saw it this time.

I take it one day your father will hand it down to you and then you in turn pass it onto your son?

What a wonderful heirloom.

Ken

[redwatch]

Retard = Delay in english.

Beautiful piece BT!! What does it say on the top of retard? l'Advancé

[By-Tor]

Beautiful piece BT!! What does it say on the top of retard? l'Advancé

I don't have the watch with me here anymore but that's a good guess.

PS: Thanks all.

[richard lawton]

Hi By-Tor,

Really nice watch indeed. I have only one pocket watch in my collection

solid gold like your fathers hallmarked Birmingham UK 1919 Dial & movement

marked Rolex. Hope you get that one day, really special to have a watch of that

quality/calibre.

Regards

Richard

[By-Tor]

@Richard: Great to see you here. You should come more often, and post pics of your amazing watch collection for us mortals to see.