Patrizzi & Co. sold a manuscript by Abraham-Louis Breguet for a record 2.3 million Swiss Francs (approx. $2,078,000) on Friday, May 7, in Geneva. Nicolas G. Hayek, president and CEO of Montres Breguet S.A. purchased the 354-page document on behalf of the Breguet Museum in Paris. Dictated by Breguet to his assistant over the last five years of his life, it is one of the most important horological documents in existence with in-depth explanations and drawings of Breguet’s many innovations and watchmaking legacy.
Despite technical problems that prevented online bidding, total sales from the auction were 5,802,250 Swiss Francs (approx. $5.24 million). About 70 people attended the auction in Geneva. In total, 317 lots were offered with many selling for more than double the presale estimate.
Along with the Breguet manuscript, top lots were a Patek Philippe split-seconds chronograph perpetual calendar, Ref. 5004, in 18k yellow gold that sold for CHF 210,000 (approx. $189,814), and a circa 1953, 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe perpetual calendar, Ref. 2497, which sold for CHF 200,000 (approx. $180,775). These figures reflect the total amount bid, as Patrizzi & Co does not charge a buyer’s commission.
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