All Entries Tagged With: "Breguet"

Basel Preview: Breguet Tradition Fusee Tourbillon With Silicon Balance Spring

In 1795, Breguet conceived the “Breget overcoil” spring, today still the reference in terms of balance springs. In 2006, Breguet introduced its first wristwatches with silicon balance spring and escapement. Today, the new Breguet silicon balance spring is featured in the Breguet Tradition 7047 model with tourbillon and fusee-and-chain transmission. Inspired by the design of the first tourbillon-equipped pocket watches devised by Breguet, a platinum version is now available fitted with a movement fashioned in an anthracite-toned metal alloy.

Breguet Marie-Antoinette No. 1160 Coming to LA and NYC

Breguet No. 160 generated two of the greatest mysteries in watchmaking: who ordered it, and who stole it? Commissioned by an unknown admirer of Marie-Antoinette in 1783 as a gift for the queen, it was not completed until 1827, 34 years after her death. In 1983 it was stolen from a Jerusalem museum in a daring heist. In 2005, Nicolas G. Hayek, President and CEO of Montres Breguet, commissioned the manufacture to exactly recreate No. 160. The result was No. 1160 – a treasure in its own right, and it’s coming to the USA.

Patek World Records at Antiquorum’s New York Sale

490 internet bidders joined an SRO crowd in the auction room at Antiquorum’s New York sale on September 17, and in the end two Patek Philippe references took top honors, bringing world record prices. The sale of 414 rare and important timepieces generated $9,214,074, representing 85% sold by lot and 133% sold by value. Breguet, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Blancpain, Cartier, and Seiko also made strong showings.

Summer Reading: Five Great Watch Books

You’ve got about a month to get to that summer reading that you promised yourself you would do. If you are in the mood for a whale of a watch tale, here are five books guaranteed to please.

Breguet at the Louvre: An Apogee of European Watchmaking

Apogee means culmination or high point. In astronomy, it refers to the point in a heavenly body’s orbit when it is furthest from earth, or, in other words, when it is most out of this world. All of these describe “Breguet at the Louvre,” a retrospective exhibition that runs through September 7.

Breguet Travel Clock No. 1 for Only Watch

Breguet built the first modern travel clock in 1796. He equipped it with a balance spring, successfully replacing the pendulum balance that was unfit for travel. Glass-covered on four sides and small in size, this clock bore the number 178. In April 1798, General Bonaparte purchased it to take with him on his Egyptian campaign.

Breguet Marine Royal Ref. 5847 Alarm Watch

In 2004 Breguet launched a new interpretation of the Marine line, and for 2009 they introduce the Marine Royal Ref. 5847 with 300 meter water resistance and an alarm designed to operate under water. The case is an imposing 45mm and is available in 18k pink or white gold. Twin barrels provide the power – one for timekeeping and one for the alarm. Both barrels are wound by a single crown.

Breguet Classique 5967

Though it did not appear in Breguet’s press materials, the Classique 5967 was shown as a new model for 2009, and based on my conversations in Basel, this watch was very well received. During our meeting with Breguet, we learned that their in-house guilloché shop has been expanded, and this watch wears the first pattern developed in-house. Called Art Deco Damier, the name refers to a chess board, and it creates a rich, three-dimensional feel.

This thin watch measures 41mm in diameter – a nice size for a simple dress watch. Look through the display back and you will see a lovely, case-filling Frédéric Piguet cal. 506.2 pocket watch movement. The Classique 5967 is available in yellow gold priced at $16,400, and in white gold priced at $17,300. Look for the 5967 at retailers this fall.

Breguet and the Louvre: June 25 – September 7

An exhibition of Breguet timepieces will be held at the Louvre Museum from June 25 – September 7, 2009. The exhibition will be located in the Sully Wing, salle de la Chapelle. This event provides an exceptional opportunity to view an extraordinary variety of watches by Breguet, including items from the Louvre’s own collection and from the Breguet Museum. The exhibition will also display a number of remarkable items on loan from private collections and prestigious institutions such as the British Royal Collections, the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris, the Kremlin Museum and the Swiss National Museum. No. 1160, the modern Marie-Antoinette, is included in the exhibit.

Breguet High Jewelry Minute Repeater

In 2008, Breguet introduced a new way of designing minute repeaters, fitting them with re-engineered movements incorporating new materials and featuring innovative positions for the gongs, gong rests and hammers. This patented technique is now available in Breguet minute repeater ref. 7639. The 44.5 mm case houses a minute repeater movement, but some might say the real treasure is on the outside. The 18K white gold case is set with 178 baguette-cut diamonds totaling 11.81 carats. The 18K gold dial is set with 392 princess-cut diamonds that are mounted upside down.