Breguet's Resonance Pocket Watch for the Prince Regent (1818): A Horological Marvel

gadalex · 2020-10-27T09:18:08Z

Explore Breguet's Resonance pocket watch for the Prince Regent (1818) through gadalex's exclusive photos and insights. Discover its historical significance and the challenges of museum deaccession.

gadalex

WPS member · Breguet forum

20 replies3103 views7 photos

Gadalex offers a rare glimpse into horological history with his detailed photographs of Breguet's Resonance pocket watch, originally made for the Prince Regent in 1818. This article explores the profound ingenuity of Breguet, contextualized by the bittersweet circumstances of the watch's deaccession from the Institute of Islamic Art in Jerusalem. Gadalex's personal account highlights the unique opportunity to witness such a significant piece of mechanical marvel, underscoring its enduring relevance to watch enthusiasts and collectors.

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If one has been following the auction news today, it has become clear now that the planned sales of Islamic artefacts and 60 timepieces from the Institute of Islamic Art in Jerusalem, scheduled for today and tomorrow at Sotheby's in London, have hit a rather significant hurdle (search for "Times of Israel" and "Sotheby's" to read in more detail about the issues raised surrounding these auctions).

Of course when my friend and I made our way to the preview we were fully aware of this bittersweet happening: a chance to behold one of horology's most innovative moments paired with the sadness of a museum in financial difficulty deaccessioning treasured items. Having been to the museum twice I can safely say it has a rather special collection and that is without considering the fact that Breguet's Marie Antoinette sits in the rather secure basement gallery/vault.

For me personally it has been a Breguet filled year of discovery and this particular opportunity was as surreal as my photography session back in July with the Breguet tourbillon made for King George III.

I think it goes without saying that Breguet was beyond measure in his ingenuity. I leave you with some photos, a medium that never quite does justice to this level of mechanical marvel.

Regards,

Baruch

Key Points from the Discussion

The potential sale of the Breguet Resonance pocket watch highlights the financial challenges faced by museums, prompting discussions about the role of wealthy patrons in preserving cultural artifacts.
There is hope that a wealthy patron, possibly from Israel, will step forward to provide financial support to the Institute of Islamic Art, preventing the permanent loss of these treasures from public view.
The original author confirms that Israel has a high number of billionaires per capita and that the President is actively seeking a resolution for the museum's funding, making a local patron intervention plausible.
The dial and hands of the Breguet Resonance pocket watch are particularly spectacular, embodying the essence of horological artistry and innovation.
Encounters with such historically significant watches are rare, and the opportunity to photograph this Breguet piece was a unique horological dream fulfilled for the author.
The community expresses overwhelming appreciation for the detailed photographs, acknowledging the exceptional beauty and historical significance of the Breguet Resonance pocket watch.

The Discussion

dhendolan

Oct 27, 2020

Absolutely breathtaking!

I share your sadness at the factors which make the sale neccessary. That dial and those hands are really spectacular. That watch to me represents what horology is all about. Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures.

gadalex

Oct 27, 2020

A pleasure to share. Of course the story has no outcome yet... [nt]

amanico

Oct 27, 2020

I heard about this Double Resonance. Thanks for sharing this important historical pocket watch and these photos, my friend. [nt]

gadalex

Oct 27, 2020

As I have said before (I think): It would be a crime not to! [nt]

jmpTT

Oct 27, 2020

This is a truly historical watch

Given today’s realities, the museum will need to raise money. Best outcome for everyone may be that they land up on a private Israeli citizen’s collection, to be cherished and left to the museum at some time in the future for tax credits. In the meantime, this could be the last time we get to see these treasures for a while. Thank you for taking the time to post these photographs. This is a truly special watch.

gadalex

Oct 27, 2020

The financial difficulties for the museum go back to 2017, so this is definitely not a knee jerk reaction to the current climate.

Israel boasts a rather disproportionate number of billionaires per capita and the President, Reuven Rivlin, is actively seeking a resolution to the museum's funding gap, so it's not impossible to imagine someone within the country stepping in. I am glad you enjoyed the photos!

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Breguet's Resonance Pocket Watch for the Prince Regent (1818): A Horological Marvel

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