BREGUET

BREGUET Type XX Second Generation No. 20852 Circa 1974 Steel bracelet chronograph with in-flight return function Present watch presented by His Majesty King Hassan II of Morocco to his personal physician Case: round, screw-down caseback engraved on the back with a personalized dedication, graduated rotating bezel, numbered Dial: black with homogeneous patina of Arabic numeral hour markers, two counters for seconds and minutes, external minute track, central hand with in-flight return function, signed Movement: mechanical with manual winding, caliber 235 Clasp: steel pin, unsigned Diam. 40 mm We would like to thank Emmanuel Breguet and the archives of Breguet SA for their information confirming that this watch was sold in Morocco in January 1974 for 400 francs. A stainless-steel fly back chronograph wristwatch, offered by His Majesty the King Hassan II of Morocco to his personal doctor Notes: A few rare watches were offered by King Hassan II to his close friends and family, and few examples are recorded to date in the annals of auction sales. Our example illustrates the relationship between King Hassan II and his personal doctor through the myth of the Breguet brand, defined since its founder Abraham-Louis as "the king of watchmakers and the watchmaker of kings". This "second generation" model is representative of the Type XX in its civilian version as produced in the 1970s. It bears a striking resemblance to the watches delivered to the Moroccan Air Force. In 1970, Breguet was acquired by the jeweler Chaumet, official supplier to King Hassan II and frequent source of prestigious orders. This present watch, kept for over 40 years in the family of its first owner, was given by King Hassan II to a French surgeon, who became one of his personal physicians in 1963 and remained so for 15 years. According to the professor's descendants, King Hassan II developed a significant friendship with him. This would explain the dedication on the case back, underlining the importance of medicine, mentioned as "for desperate cases". Condition report given as an indication: Sold as is, without warranty Traces of wear from use visible throughout Movement is ticking but plan for standard overhaul Condition report given as an indication: Sold as is, without warranty Signs of wear from use visible throughout Movement is ticking but plan for standard overhaul