Eli
98
Can someone *please* explain the serial numbers on Breguet dials? (more)
I've been wondering about this for a while now, but never asked the question: How does Breguet number their dials? I remember that when I first saw Breguet watches, I thought 'Gee, these must be really exclusive.... never a serial number over 10,000!'. Now I've got no idea what their annual production is, but I'm sure that by now, they've made more than a few thousand watches. 
So, does anyone know what the serial numbers on the dials represent? Does Breguet start afresh, numbering every different model from say 100? In that case, how do they have tourbillons with numbers in the thousands?
Or are they simply meaningless artifice? Check out these three scans from Antiquorum. Three different watches, each ref. 3650 with the same movement (it's not just the same watch that's been auctioned three times; one has a different dial - look at the 24-hour chapter. It is, I suppose, possible that the first watch and the third watch are the same piece. In any case, we're definitely talking about at least two different watches). All say 'Breguet 5088' on the dial. The watch whose caseback is pictured has case number 5088 F - well, at least this is something. So is the dial-side number just the case number? Is there any significance to the 'F', perhaps? You can also see that the movement is numbered 540. Why not put 'Breguet 540' on the dial?
Well, I'm confused. Anyone have an idea?
cheers
eli
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