The Pendule Sympathique by Breguet: maybe the most complicated clock in the world

This is, probably, the most complicated clock in the world. Better: the clock and the watch, together.

In 1835 Abraham-Louis Breguet introduced to his son probably his most fascinating, complicated and hard to implement invention: the “pendule sympathique”. A precision pendulum clock that could mechanically wind and set the correct time on a pocket watch, when placed into a dedicated seat on the clock.

Dettaglio dell'alloggio per l'orologio da tasca all'interno della Pendule Sympathique
Dettaglio dell’alloggio per l’orologio da tasca all’interno della Pendule Sympathique

This Pendule Simpathique was made for the Duc d’Orléans. The pendulum clock features a quarter striking and the Sympathique mechanism with three control wires rising above to the watch holder; the richly decorated case is veneered overall with red tortoiseshell. The watch features an half-quarter repeating on a single gong, and has a silvered dial signed Breguet. 

La Pendola Simpatetica del Duca D'Orléan, battuta all'asta da Sothebys per la cifra record di 6,802,500 USD
La Pendola Simpatetica del Duca D’Orléan, battuta all’asta da Sothebys per la cifra record di 6,802,500 USD

Il disegno del meccanismo di sincronizzazione che anima la Pendule Sympathique. Credits: www.timezone.com
Il disegno del meccanismo di sincronizzazione che anima la Pendule Sympathique. Credits: www.timezone.com

Tags: Breguet Did you know... Watch history