Pierre Giteau (Breguet), Paris, France, c. 1840. Twin barrel, single train with Robin remontoire, half second compensated gridiron pendulum, jeweled knife edge and gimbaled suspension, Graham deadbeat escapement reading seconds, gilt dial bezel, two week duration. 17 1/8" x 11" x 5 7/8"

The dial reads Giteau Eleve de Breguet, translated as Giteau student of Breguet. Brian Loomes has the following entry: "Giteau, Paris (Palais Royal) 1811- c.1870. Former pupil of Breguet  & former clockmaker to the King. Sometimes Gitau. Giteaux." The design of the frame, pendulum suspension and other components strongly resemble or even copy the same type of clocks made by Breguet. However, in Continental and American Skeleton Clocks, Derek Roberts, there is illustrated an example nearly identical to this clock, including the escapement and signed Breguet on the dial, pp. 66-67.

The theory and design behind this type of Robin remontoire is a bit different than the standard 'stop-start' governor. This is best described by observing the governor in the video at the end of this page. Instead of having a detent that is periodically released (usually every 30 seconds) as the weight descends. Here the detent is a small brush that contacts the smooth rim of the governor. It appears that this design was originated by Breguet. The design was to translate smoothly the cycling of the weight drive of the remontoire without the possible inaccuracies that might occur through the sudden periodic rewinding of the weight being transmitted through to the escapement.                                                                                                                     

The theory and design behind this type of Robin remontoire is a bit different than the standard 'stop-start' governor. This is best described by observing the governor in the video at the end of this page. Instead of having a detent that is periodically released (usually every 30 seconds) as the weight descends. Here the detent is a small brush that contacts the smooth rim of the governor. It appears that this design was originated by Breguet. The design was to translate smoothly the cycling of the weight drive of the remontoire without the possible inaccuracies that might occur through the sudden periodic rewinding of the weight being transmitted through to the escapement.

Provenance: Joseph von Marwitz, (1897-1975), Berlin, / Private collection, Brandenburg, (by decent).