AuthenticWatches.com is proud to announce the introduction of Breguet into the collection of brands we carry! In our excited state, as we begin listing current-production items from the brand, we would like to take the opportunity to present the history of the company to our watch enthusiast customers who are unfamiliar with the glory of this name.
Abraham-Louis Breguet established his business in 1775 in
Paris, France. By 1780, Breguet released a collection of self- winding watches known as “perpetuelles” with features such
as two going-barrels, which was a unique advent of the
company. The inventions of this manufacturer continues
well into the future. In example, the gong spring for minute
repeaters was developed in 1783 along wish the iconic Arabic
numerals of Breguet and the famous open-tipped hands of
the brand.
Breguet has a history of patenting trademarks of the company. There are many examples of this, but the following are several of the key patents made over time:
1798 – The Constant Force Escapement.
1801 – “Tourbillon Rregulators”
1834 – The “Sympathique clock”, & new system for rewinding the piece
1939 – Patent of the sidereal timekeeper
1991 – Wristwatch with perpetual equation of time
1997 – Straight-line perpetual calendar watch movement & instant year-jump
2002 – Moon-Phase Mechanism in the “Reine de Naples” piece
2003 – In the alarm watch named “Le Réveil du Tsar”: a column-wheel mechanism to activate/ strop the alarm
2003 – Also for the “Le Réveil du Tsar”: a tool coordinating alarms with local time.
2004 – Titanium Balance
2005 – For the Breguet Detent Escapement: Centrifugal Strike Governor
2005 – For the Breguet Detent Escapement: Surprise-Piece Lifting Lever
Unique Inventions by Breguet:
- “Perpetuelles”
- Ratchet Key
- Ocular of an Astronomical Telescope
- Musical Chronometer (Metronome for Watches)
- Observation Chronometer
- Magnetic Governor for Transmission Wheel(s) of Movement or strike (La Musicale)
- First watch with Keyless Winding
- Magnetic Pivot, (Shock-Protection Device)
With a keen attention to detail, Breguet was one of the first to hand engrave on guilloche dials through the use of a rose engine. To advance the functionality and convenience of using timepieces, Breguet invention the ratchet key and an escapement that would work without oil in 1789. Soon after, the “pare-chute” began development in 1790 and achieved its perfected state in 1806, a sixteen year production time.
The company’s prestige and quality had been known throughout Europe, proven by the order for the first wristwatch of Berguet designed specifically for the Queen of Naples, which was in production from 1810 – 1812. Another royal name, Queen Vitcoria, purchased a Breguet in 1838, just one year into taking reign.
In the years coming, the manufacturer emphasized precision of time. In one attempt of ensuring that their pieces are precise, the successful invention of the Ocular of an astronomical telescope permitting the measurement of “tenths of seconds and even, approximately, hundredths.” Continuing on a long era of inventions, the development of the musical chronometer which serves as a metronome on watches, made Breguet a favored brand of iconic musicians who were interested in watches with a functionality to serve their needs.
The founder of Breguet passed away at 76 years old in 1823, but
his legend continued into the future. Over a century after his death, the company was still thriving but chose to relocated the factory adn all production to Switzerland. By 1999, Breguet joined other top-class watch manufacturers in the Swatch Group. All the while, advancements continued to be made in watch production. In 1998, the Marine Line was launched with the smallest ever self winding chronograph movement, and the reproduction of the Marie-Antoinette watch was initiated in 2008, based only on pictures and descriptions of the piece.
The 2011 release of the Classique Hora Mundi 5717 was equipped with the first ever instant dual time-zone that enables two pre-selected time zones to be displayed by with the simple press of a pushbutton. Then, in 2013, the Classique Chronométrie 7727 finally integrated the first magnetic pivot ever to be invented, delivering timing more accurate than the majority of items on the markey (-1/+3 seconds a day).
Here, we have condensed a major history of watch making, growth, and beauty that was beloved by some of the most iconic royals of all time. Few brands have made such an impressive impact in designs fit for royalty, but Breguet collections have succeeded for over two decades in remaining one of the most sought after items available.