Phillips in Association with Bacs and Russo will present the Breguet Sympathique N°1 at their upcoming Geneva Watch Auction: XXI to be held during 10 – 11 May, 2025.
Breguet commissioned François-Paul Journe to recreate Abraham-Louis Breguet’s (10.05.1747 – 17.09.1823) original Pendule Sympathique, conceived by him in 1795. The Pendule Sympathique “was a system that allowed a paired pocket watch to be automatically wound, set, and adjusted by its accompanying clock.” A.L. Breguet made eleven Pendule Sympathiques, “each a mechanical marvel.”
Almost 200 years later, F.P. Journe, part of Technique Horlogère Appliquée (THA), together with Denis Flageollet (De Bethune fame), Dominique Mouret, and Vianney Halter (joined later) took on the herculean task of recreating A.L. Breguet’s almost forgotten masterpiece for the 1991 “Art of Breguet” exhibition and auction.
Key Features
Breguet Sympathique N°1 by F.P. Journe
Master clock
“Empire” style case. Height: 255 mm. Width: 170 mm. Depth: 125 mm. Gilt base.18K yellow gold panels. British horologist and illustrator David Penney designed its classical architecture.
Functions: Hours and minutes. Moon phase display. Equation of time. Thermometer. Full calendar functions of day, date, and month.
“Even more impressively the clock features a highly accurate detent escapement, the balance wheel swings undisturbed during most of its cycle, except the brief impulse period, which is only given once per cycle. It runs virtually without friction and the escape wheel teeth do not require oiling. Adding extra technical prowess is the fact that the clock also features a constant force device ensuring the even distribution of energy to the balance regardless of if the state of wind.”
Accompanying watch
Diameter: 36 mm. Crafted in 18K yellow gold.
Functions: Regulator style hours and minutes. Tourbillon. Moon phase display. Power reserve indicator.
The watch is delivered with a 18K yellow gold pocket watch holder. After removing its alligator leather strap or 18K yellow gold mesh bracelet, the pocket watch holder converts the watch into a pocket watch.
“When the wristwatch is docked within the clock, the Sympathique mechanism winds the watch, sets the time, and regulates its balance to match its own.”
The Sympathique N°1 is the first and only example of the initially planned 20 clocks by F.P. Journe. It made its debut at the “Art of Breguet” exhibition in 1991 and sold for Swiss Franc (CHF) 1,546,250 at the subsequent auction in Geneva on 14 April 1991. It has remained with the same owner ever since.
“As Breguet celebrates its 250th anniversary this year, the return of the Sympathique N°1 is a testament to Journe’s early genius and long fascination with the tourbillon and complex timekeeping systems — an obsession that would later define his eponymous brand.”
Our Thoughts
When Breguet commissioned F.P. Journe / THA to recreate the Sympathique N°1, he was “not quite Journe yet.” Over the years that ensued, “Journe became Journe.” He earned a stellar reputation, and his eponymous brand oozes prestige and desirability, with demand far outstripping its annual output.
When we view the Sympathique N°1 today, we see a horological masterpiece invented by A.L. Breguet, considered the greatest watchmaker ever, and recreated by F.P. Journe, one of the greatest living watchmakers today. It is a meeting of two great minds almost 200 years apart. A goose bump moment. As Breguet celebrates its 250th anniversary this year, it is amazing that the Sympathique N°1 resurfaces at auction. We should celebrate this moment. For the fortunate bidder, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire a masterpiece the likes of which does not come around very often.
Auction Details
Pendule Sympathique N°1 by F.P. Journe X THA for Breguet
Created in 1991
Lot 18
Estimate: More than Swiss Franc (CHF) one million.
Phillips in Association with Bacs and Russo
Geneva Watch Auction: XXI
Venue: Hotel President in Geneva
Date: 10 – 11 May, 2025
Please visit the Phillips website for more information.
