Unsigned manuscript, probably attributed to Breguet, discuss - Lot 44

Unsigned manuscript, probably attributed to Breguet, discussing several key aspects of the House of Breguet and entitled "Sur un projet de circulaire - Horlogerie de Breguet à Paris". Ten-page manuscript evoking several important aspects of the House of Breguet thirty years after its beginnings in 1775, the latter is unsigned but can be accurately dated by reading the writings "... it has been more than 30 years since Breguet enjoyed in Europe a rather great celebrity, as much by the variety of these products as by their perfection of beauty..." page 1. These writings also describe the company and Breguet's position at the time, thirty years after its foundation, which brings us back to 1815, a pivotal year with the end of the Empire and the restoration of the Monarchy: "Today, Breguet et Fils believe they must make known to the public the changes required in their establishment, a change necessitated by the new order of things being established & which leads minds to value objects much more for their usefulness than for their luxury of work..." page 1. Speaking of the work of the Breguet watchmakers, our manuscript evokes the importance of their achievements: "they have consequently focused their research on a simpler construction, which removes all that is unnecessary to obtain as much solidity and regularity as their first-class work, without changing anything to their exterior..." page 1. Economic considerations are also evoked for more efficient watchmaking in terms of the company's profitability, "in order to save more on accounting costs and lower the price of the work, Breguet & fils abolishing all credit ... each piece will bear the acknowledgement of its value ..." page 2. The manufacture of watches in two distinct sectors is mentioned to describe Breguet's work and the division of tasks: "the establishment will be divided into two parts, one for observation works, the other for those for civil use, each of these two parts will be divided into two classes, one whose work will not exceed what is necessary to have solidity and good working order, and the other whose luxury work added to the solidity and beauty of the work will make it more valuable" pages 5 and 6. Watches are described in two categories for observation: "the first class of the part of the works of observation is out of gold case and with holes of rubies around the pivots of the wheel train... the second class has rubies only with the rubbing parts of the escapement and the regulator... in this class there is only the useful one and the work of the movement is without luxury of workmanship..." page 6. Price is also mentioned to position the different classes of watches designed and produced by Breguet Fils: "price of clocks and observation watches ... 1st class tourbillon 2'400 fr ... same class without tourbillon 2'100 fr ... 2nd class silver case 1'200 fr ... watches for civilian use ... 1st class for men 2'400 fr ... same class for women 3'000 fr ... 2nd class for men 1'000 fr ... same class for women 1'200 fr" page 8. The ordering and delivery of watches is also mentioned, with interesting details: "to ensure the sale of a work when there are none ready, and when an order is placed, Breguet & Fils receives from the purchaser a quarter of the price of the work for arrher and to count up to the time of delivery in fragments the other three quarters..." page 8. Imitations of Breguet watches at the time are mentioned with precise facts and information: "Breguet & Fils believe they must also warn the public ... that many in foreign countries and even in Paris claiming to be their pupils are not at all so, not recognizing any who can legitimately claim this title, the abuse of their name either by placing it on watches of all kinds or by arranging it under the title of pupil, authorizes them and even obliges them to complain publicly ..." page 10. This historical manuscript, entitled "sur un projet de circulaire - Horlogerie de Breguet à Paris" (on a circular project - Breguet watchmaking in Paris), discusses several aspects of the Breguet company, and is also accompanied by a few torn or cut-out handwritten letters. In many respects, this manuscript lays the foundations of our modern watchmaking industry, discussing watch manufacturing costs, the different types of watches and, last but not least, the subject of counterfeiting, probably for the first time in the history of watchmaking, which testifies to the importance of the House of Breguet and its founder, rightly considered its founding father.