Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747-1823)
Breguet was founded in 1775 by Abraham-Louis Breguet.
Abraham was a Swiss watchmaker who was born in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, but it was in Paris that he spent most of his productive life. No aspect of watchmaking escaped his study, and his inventions were as fundamental to horology as they were varied. His career started with a series of breakthroughs: the development of the successful self-winding perpétuelle watches, the introduction of the gongs for repeating watches and the first shock-protection for balance pivots.
Louis XVI and his Queen, Marie-Antoinette, were early enthusiasts of Breguet’s watchmaking. Each watch from his workshops demonstrated the latest horological improvements in an original movement, mostly fitted with lever or ruby-cylinder escapements that he perfected. Breguet took refuge in Switzerland from the perils of the French Revolution. He returned to Paris overflowing with the ideas that produced the Breguet balance-spring, his first carriage clock (sold to Bonaparte), the “sympathique” clock and its dependent watch, the tact watch, and finally the tourbillon, patented in 1801.
Breguet became the indispensable watchmaker to the scientific, military, financial and diplomatic elites of the age. His timepieces ruled the courts of Europe. For his most celebrated clients, Breguet designed exceptional timepieces. For Caroline Murat, queen of Naples, he conceived in 1810 the world’s very first wristwatch. Honours saluted his enormous contribution to horology. Appointed to the Board of Longitude and as chronometer-maker to the navy, he entered the Academy of Sciences and received the Legion of Honour from the hands of Louis XVIII.
When he died in 1823, all mourned the architect of the greatest revolution in the science and art of time-keeping.
The Breguet Classique story can be traced back over 300 years to 1775. Since then, the Swiss watchmaker has become synonymous with luxurious timepieces, which combine tradition with prestige and excellence. From the first wrist watch, to perfecting the self-winding movement, inventing the tourbillon, and designing the iconic Breguet hands, horology owes everything to Breguet.
An imposing statement, the chronograph showcases the expertise of the manufacture through its movement, skeletonized and finely engraved in the typical Breguet manner. Paying tribute to the firm’s heritage of manufacturing and selling chronographs, the calibre pays homage to the vision of A-L Breguet as well as his inventions, notably his chronomètre à double secondes, dit observation developed in 1820, or his later inking chronographs, made in 1822 in collaboration with Frederick Fatton.
Classique openworked chronograph in 18-carat white gold. Hand-wound movement with seconds subdial. 30-minute totaliser. Bezel, lugs and caseband paved with 96 baguette-cut diamonds, approx. 13cts. Silver skeletonised dial with blued steel Breguet hands. Arabic numerals. Sapphire caseback. Water-resistant to 3 bar (30m). Diameter 40,3mm.
The Precious Stone certificate confirms the clarity IF-VVS-1 of the diamonds, colour Top Wesselton.
