Breguet

The Palacio Real de Madrid sent me a picture of a clock at the bequest of my inquiry regarding the Spanish Breguet Sympathique clocks. The Breguet literature suggests Breguet Sympathique No. 46 and Breguet Sympathique No. 247 were sold to the King of Spain but details and images of the two clocks has been elusive (at least for me). The Palacio Real de Madrid tells me (via email) the clock enclosed is neither No. 46 nor No. 247 ("The clocks you mention, 46 and 247, are not preserved") and that the clock was purchased in 1850. 

The enclosed clock certainly looks like a Sympathique clock given the watch-holder at the top of the clock. Amelia Aranda Huete (Curator of clocks, Patrimonio Nacional, 2012) in her article on the the clocks of the Spanish court mentions in footnote 332...

Note 332: The Patrimonio Nacional collection preserves a sympathetic clock made by Breguet’s firm but dated 1850; it was made in the nineteenth century by the firm’s heirs.

The enclosed clock must be the clock referenced in Amelia Aranda Huete's article but if as the Palacio Real de Madrid tells me the clock is neither  No. 46 nor No. 247 then what could it be? The Breguet literature suggests three Sympathique clocks were sold to the Spanish court; Sympathique No. 421 was sold to Joseph Bonaparte and the enclosed clock is certainly not Sympathique No. 421. It may be the case the Palacio Real de Madrid is in error regarding the enclosed clock's Breguet #. Breguet experts' opinions welcomed and appreciated.

  login to reply