Born in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, in 1747, Abraham-Louis Breguet spent much of his working simultaneously in all the areas of watchmaking, beginning his career with a series of masterly inventions: the automatic watch, referred to as “a perpetual”, the gong spring for repeater watches, and the first shock-absorber device, the “pare-chute”. The House of Breguet was founded in 1775, and holds a unique position in the world of watchmaking.
Breguet watches contained original movements, with anchor or cylinder escapements, that were constantly improved. King Louis XVI and Queen Marie-Antoinette were among his clients. Breguet was admired in all the Royal courts of Europe and became the principal watchmaker of the elite in the worlds of diplomacy, science, finance and the military. For his most prestigious clients he created special pieces, including the very first wristwatch, produced in 1810 for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples.
Their simple lines, their refinement and their distinctive Breguet features delight all collectors and brand enthusiasts. The famous Breguet hands in blued steel with the offset, openwork “moon” tip have graced its watches for more than 200 years. Fluted case bands have also been an integral part of the restrained “Breguet style.” One of its most precious attributes is the manually engine-turned dials of its watches since 1786.
It is not only connoisseurs who understand that owning a Breguet means owning something exceptional. For many people, the originality and timeless style of the watches expresses a philosophy and an identity that clearly sets them apart.
