A very rare early Vidie aneroid barometer with thermometer No 264 by Breguet c1863

Aneroid barometer having 5½” silvered and die struck dial, the upper part marked with standard meteorological terms, the semi-circular barometric scale calibrated in inches of mercury with a range from 28” – 31” divided down to 1/50th, signed “Breguet’s Barometer,” the lower with semi-circular thermometer, the register calibrated in degrees Fahrenheit with a range from 20° – 140°, further marked “Fahrenheit’s Thermometer,” Breguet logogram and serial no. “264.” Blued steel pointer, gilt brass index, gilt brass reflector ring, and flat glass held within a knurled brass bezel.

The highly developed movement following Vidie’s patented ‘bielle oblique’ design from 1858 with fine rod and rack and pinion transmission, static mass, all driven from a single 3” 2nd pattern capsule tensioned on a braced C spring, micro-adjustment for gain and ratio.

All contained within a lacquered brass drum form case with belled mouth, calibration port to verso, pendant and suspension ring.

Condition: The subject of a full service, conservation, and calibration under laboratory conditions, see performance chart from dynamic test. The movement working exceptionally well with high sensitivity and about stepless progression. Noted accuracy with maximum error of 0.15” across the scale.

The dial with minor marks to centre only really visible with certain incident lighting, otherwise crisp and clear. The thermometer with unbroken thread, working though reading about 3 degrees high. The brass case essentially clean and crisp, some minor distortion at movement fixing points to verso. Retains traces of original lacquered finish.

Comments: Without doubt one of the hardest to find of all the C19th aneroid barometers, this example, larger than usual and serially numbered 264, was made within the first months of production of Lucien Vidie’s barometers moving to Breguet in early 1863.

Breguet was a maker of fine timepieces and this is reflected in the execution of the movement completed to the highest standards, comparable or better than those instruments by Eugene Bourdon or Jules Richard in France, or JH Steward in England. This barometer provides a fascinating commentary on the design and development of the initial Vidie pattern, seeking to reduce or eliminate static friction improving sensitivity and accuracy.

As part of the collaboration between Vidie and Breguet, Vidie retained the rights to sell these aneroid barometers into the English market, whilst Breguet concentrated on the continental audience.