Breguet

Breguet luxury watches represent both cutting-edge technology and traditional watchmaking skills that have existed for over two hundred years. Breguet's revolutionary inventions include the 'Pare-chute' shock protection and the tourbillion. Breguet watch models were and are worn by exclusive clientele, which even then included Napoleon. Abraham-Louis Breguet was born in 1747 in Neuchâtel/Switzerland and founded his first atelier as a watchmaker in Paris in 1775. It was here that Breguet invented a pocket watch, the first to feature automatic winding, as well as the No. 160 (Marie-Antoinette). The latter model is still one of the most complicated luxury watches in the world today.

Abraham-Louis Breguet - Genius of watchmakers

A.-L. Breguet is considered the greatest genius among watchmakers. He revolutionized the watchmaking craft with his extraordinary creations at that time. The tourbillon is still used today to increase the accuracy of mechanical wristwatches. The reason for this invention was the fact that during the 18th/19th century, gentlemen wore their pocket watches mainly in a vertical position inside their vest pockets. This resulted in significant rate deviations due to gravity. In 1801, Breguet constructed a bogie in which he inserted the escapement as well as the oscillating system. The bogie rotates once per minute around its own axis. The rotation predominantly compensates for accelerating as well as braking moments. Even today, Breguet's luxury watches with tourbillion still achieve excellent scores in luxury watch tests.

Valuable materials and perfect design

After several investor/owner changes, the Breguet watch manufacture has been part of the Swiss Swatch Group since 1999. The designers of the group create, among others, traditional-nostalgic series or luxury watches with double tourbillion, similar to Breguet watch models invented during the early decades. One of the most famous series of the present is the Classique collection. The luxury watches of the series 'Reine de Naples' are designed for lovers of classic ladies' wristwatches. This collection is meant to recall the chronograph that A.-L. Breguet designed for Caroline Murat (Napoleon's sister) in 1810. With the 'Marine' series, a design was created that combines traditional features with modern sporty charm. At first glance, these watch models from Breguet are reminiscent of compact diving watches. However, upon closer inspection, interested parties will recognize the noble workmanship with materials such as rose or white gold and platinum, each in 18-karat finish.

Innovation in the 21st century - Components made of silicon

Focusing on the future is a matter of course for the designers of Breguet's luxury watches. The processing of silicon is just one example of this. The semi-metal, which is also used in the IT sector, is specifically used within the in-house manufacture calibers. Silicon has many advantages for luxury watches: It has a density that is three times lower than that of brass or steel. In addition, the semi-metal is amagnetic. The components are corrosion-resistant, abrasion-resistant and thus very robust. Breguet spent years developing the 'Classique' 5177 and 5197 and 5837 luxury watch series - the first chronographs in the world to use silicon components. Breguet's 'XXII 10 Hz' watch models have a balance spring, escapement wheel and anchor made of silicon. This Breguet model is a mechanical stopwatch that is the first luxury watch from the Manufacture to tick at 72,000 (A/h) vibrations per hour. This corresponds to a frequency increase of 150 percent, which significantly increases the accuracy of the rate.

The signature of Breguet luxury watches

Since the Breguet watch manufacture is highly popular and has achieved enormous success, A.-L. Breguet had to protect itself from quite a few imitators right from the beginning. Therefore, as early as 1795, Breguet relied on a secret signature. This was added to the dial and is almost invisible - unless daylight/illumination falls on the display at a flat angle.