$2 million watch for sale in Massachusetts

Published 1:30 pm Tuesday, May 17, 2016

ANDOVER, Massachusetts — In 1794, one of the world’s first automatic timepieces was sold to Count Journiac-Saint-Meard. More than 200 years later, a reproduction of the Breguet N°5 perpétuelle pocket watch can be found in Andover.

The $1.9 million replica is for sale at Royal Jewelers on Main Street, and according to Royal Jewelers president Steven Leed, “it is the only Breguet N°5 that is available for private sale.”

“This offering is the first time the watch has been seen in the United States,” Leeds said. “Timepieces of this historical relevance and rarity are never available for such intimate viewings. If you wanted to see a watch like this, it would be behind guarded unbreakable glass in a museum, so we’re thrilled to be able to offer this opportunity to our collectors.”

According to experts, the Breguet N°5 watches were originally owned by only a few members of the aristocracy, “namely Queen Marie-Antoinette and the duc-d’Orléans.”

The Breguet N°5 was one of the first self-winding pocket watches. This watch is particularly recognized for a component that shows the phases of the moon.

“We are delighted to once again partner with Royal Jewelers, whose discerning collectors have a deep appreciation for watches,” said Breguet U.S. Brand President Mike Nelson. “It was a natural fit to have Steven offer this opportunity to his loyal clientele.”

Cruz is a reporter at The (North Andover, Massachusetts) Eagle-Tribune.