Breguet was founded in 1775 by Abraham-Louis Breguet. Abraham was a Swiss watchmaker who was born in January of 1747 in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Breguet’s father’s died in 1758. Some years later, Abraham’s mother remarried to Joseph Tattet. Tattet came from a family of watchmakers. They moved to Paris where they had a showroom. The family tried to draw Abraham into the trade. Eventually he found interest and in 1762 he was sent to be apprenticed to a Versailles master watchmaker. Abraham studied watchmaking for 10 years under Ferdinand Berthoud and Jean-Antoine Lépine before setting up his own watchmaking business in Paris, France. The business was a success. Breguet made three series of watches, and the highest numbering of the three reached 5120. It is estimated that his shop produced around 17,000 timepieces during Breguet’s life. Because of his minute attention to detail and his constant experimentation, no two Breguet pieces are exactly alike.
His achievements soon attracted a wealthy and influential clientele: Louis XVI and his Queen Marie-Antoinette, Louis XVIII, Napoleon Bonaparte, and the 1st Duke of Wellington to name a few. In 1783, Breguet invented the gong spring for the minute repeater. He also designed the famous open-tipped hands known as “Breguet hands” and Breguet’s Arabic numerals. Later, in 1789, he invented the ratchet key known as the “Breguet key” which allows the escapement to work without oil.
In 1807, he took on his son Louis-Antoine as his partner, renaming the firm “Breguet et Fils” (Breguet and Sons). Louis-Antoine took over the firm upon the death of his father in 1823. After a couple of generations taking over the business, Abraham-Louis’ great-grandson, Louis Antoine (1851-1882) was the last of the Breguet family to run the business. The Breguet company hired English watchmaker Edward Brown to manage the factory. Brown eventually became a partner and, after Breguet’s grandson’s death, the owner and head of the company.
To this day, watches are manufactured that are committed to the famous tradition of Brequet horology. The best known models among these are: Grande Complication, Aeronavale Type XX, Heritage, Flying Tourbillon, Marine and the Classique series. The Classique exemplifies the watchmaking ideals of precision, clarity and elegant lines. Whether extra-thin models or complicated watches, they are all true to the technical principles, the artistry and the traditional values of Breguet.
In a world preview, Breguet unveiled its pre-Basel highlight for 2016, a Classique timepiece adorned with one of the most poetic complications in watchmaking: the moon phase. The Classique Phase de Lune Dame 9088 takes its place among the brand’s timeless women’s watches. It captures the quintessential Breguet style and perpetuates the House tradition of devoting its mastery of watchmaking to women.
This discreet and remarkable white-gold watch, measuring 30 mm in diameter, features exquisitely fluted sides and a dial in white ‘grand feu’ enamel. It is adorned with Arabic numerals, also known as ‘Breguet numerals’ in reference to the founder of the House, who designed them in 1783. The minutes track, made up of tiny stars, together with stylised fleurs-de-lis for the five-minute fractions are another homage to the Breguet watchmaking tradition. The Classique Phase de Lune Dame houses the Breguet 537L calibre.
The elegance of this timepiece is enhanced by a series of sublimely delicate brilliant-cut diamonds that grace the bezel and lugs. Visible through a sapphire crystal case back, the movement of this timepiece reveals a range of finishes that reflect the highest Haute Horlogerie tradition. ‘Côtes de Genève’ decorative ribbing graces the bridges, while the gold oscillating weight is adorned with ‘barleycorn’ engine-turning.
With its Classique Phase de Lune Dame 9088, Breguet enhances its collection of timepieces for women with a watch of timeless elegance. Its pure lines faithfully reproduce the hallmarks that have ensured the success of the House for over 240 years.
Classique wristwatch in 18-carat white gold. Bezel and lugs set with 66 diamonds, approx. 1.04ct. Self-winding movement with moon-phase indicator and small blued steel seconds displayed at 6 o’clock. Balance spring, lever and escape wheel in silicon. White ‘grand feu’ enamel dial with Breguet Arabic numerals and secret signature. Breguet open-tipped hands in blued steel. Minute markers around the outer rim. Sapphire caseback. Water-resistant to 3 bar (30m). Diameter 30mm. Also in rose gold. Available with white gold bracelet, ref. 9088BR/29/BC0 DD00.
