Absolute reference in the field of Haute Horlogerie, the Breguet brand belongs more broadly to our cultural heritage, unique position due to the inventive spirit of its founder, A.-L. Breguet (1747-1823) and to the master watchmakers of today.
Born in Neuchâtel, A.-L. Breguet passes to Paris the essence of a life rich in inventions as important as varied. Dealing with all aspects of horology, A.-L. Breguet began his career with a series of master strokes: the development of the automatic watch known as “perpetual”, the invention of the spring-timbre for repeat watches, then that of the fall arrester, first anti-shock device .
Appreciated by King Louis XVI and Queen Marie-Antoinette, Breguet’s watches have original movements and anchor or cylinder exhausts, constantly perfected.
Falling back into Switzerland during the dark hours of the Revolution, A.-L. Breguet returns to his city of election with an abundance of inventions among which: the spiral Breguet, the first travel clock, sold to Bonaparte, the “sympathetic pendulum”, the tact watch, the tourbillon finally, which will be patented 1801.
Breguet is appreciated in all the courses of Europe and becomes the watchmaker of reference of the diplomatic, scientific, military and financial elites. He executes special pieces for his most prestigious clients. It was in this way that he created the first wristwatch in history for the Queen of Naples, Caroline Murat, in 1810. Breguet was honored to become a member of the Longitudes and Watchmaker’s Office of the Royal Navy. He also entered the Academy of Sciences and received the Legion of Honor from the hands of King Louis XVIII.
When he died in 1823, everyone greets him with a character who, by his genius, has revolutionized all facets of horology.
Today more than ever, the vitality of a brand is characterized by its ability to innovate. Breguet’s creativity and ingenuity have not slowed down over time but have increased since 1999, under the impetus of Nicolas G. Hayek, patent filings are significantly more numerous than the inventions listed by its founder.
