Two Vintage Breguet Pocketwatches Added to the Brand’s Collection of Historic Timepieces


Breguet No. 1766 pocketwatchMontres Breguet added to its private collection of historically significant watches, when brand president and CEO Marc A. Hayek acquired two important lots at a Christie’s Geneva auction last year: the Breguet no. 4039, a half-quarter repeating watch with an off-centered hour dial and date indication, and the extremely rare Breguet Tourbillon no. 1176.

The first watch, the Breguet no. 4039, was originally sold to the Duke of Berwick on September 30, 1825, and went for a final auction price of  70,000 Swiss francs at Christie’s. It is a remarkable example of one of Abraham-Louis Breguet’s extra-slim repeating timepieces made “sur les principles des chronomètres” (on the principles of chronometers). The Breguet No. 4039 has a case made of 18K gold and is outfitted with the “Caliber 21”'” movement, with an additional complication for the date indication (in a window at 6 o’clock). It has an engine-turned silver dial with Roman numerals and the famous Breguet hands.

Breguet No. 4039 - front

Breguet No. 4039 - box and documentation

The second timepiece that Hayek acquired for Breguet may be even more exceptional. It is Abraham-Louis Breguet’s very first watch with a four-minute tourbillon, and only the third tourbillon watch that the master watchmaker ever made. Well-known as the Breguet no. 1176, this pocketwatch chronometer has a fan-shaped power-reserve indicator calibrated for 35 hours, a small hour dial in the center and two additional, smaller subdials, both for displaying subsidiary seconds. This milestone watch also features one of Abraham-Louis Breguet’s pioneering horological inventions, the “échappement naturel” escapement, first designed in 1789. It also has a fascinating historical pedigree, having once belonged to Count Potocki, one of the most notable Polish figures from the Age of Enlightenment. The final auction price for the Breguet no. 1176 totaled more than 680,000 Swiss francs.

Breguet No. 1176 - fronto.

Breguet No. 1176 - back

Breguet No. 1176 - sideTogether, the two vintage pocketwatches sold for a total of 750,000 Swiss francs. In a press release issued after the auction, Breguet stated: “Montres Breguet is proud to announce the arrival of these masterworks to its important collection of celebrated horological pieces. Their acquisition demonstrates once again Breguet’s CEO Marc A. Hayek’s commitment to preserving the Manufacture’s historic and cultural legacy.”

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  1. MrTissot

    Breguet has one of the most interesting histories of any watch brand. CEO Marc A. Hayek is so fitting in his position because he has the class to match !! He’s an amazing CEO working miracles to preserve such a historical brand in every way he can.

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  2. Anthony

    I got to say 2 of the nicest pocket watches i have seen stunning !

    Reply
  3. charbel zod

    Hi please I need your help to know price of a watch I have if you can. I will send to you all what you need information tank you yours charbel zod

    Reply
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