BREGUET SOUSCRIPTION N 3808, CIRCA 1790

An extremely rare Open-face pocket watch in gold, case "Empire" with guilloché engraving style pattern, white enamel with Arabic numerals has 5 5-minute hour division.  winding in the centre of the dial, gilt brass movement, cylinder escapement, plane balance with three-arms parachute suspension, curved bimetallic compensation on the index, completed with original chain.

Signed and numbered.

Diameter 62 mm


NOTE
Introduced by Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1797, the celebrated “montres à souscription” were designed to make Breguet’s craftsmanship accessible to a wider clientele. Buyers would pay a deposit — a subscription — upon ordering, with the balance due on delivery, giving the model its name.
Produced primarily during the first quarter of the 19th century, fewer than 1,000 examples are believed to have been made. Each watch followed a minimalist yet highly refined design: a single hand for simplicity, a large central barrel ensuring long autonomy, and Breguet’s signature attention to detail.
These pieces not only represent a milestone in horological history but also embody Breguet’s genius for combining technical innovation with elegant design. Today, surviving Souscription watches are regarded as rare and highly desirable among collectors, prized for both their historical significance and their timeless aesthetic.