Breguet continues to expand its collection of antique pieces with the recent acquisition of their watch No. 2023, a special dashboard chronograph specially made for Bugatti. The Breguet Chronographe Spécial Pour Bugatti No. 2023 was purchased on February 6th, 2016 at an auction that took place in Paris. The Breguet No. 2023 watch testifies to the brilliant and remarkable diversification demonstrated by the Maison throughout its history. The dashboard chronograph No. 2023 was acquired from Artcurial during the closing auction of the Rétromobile Exhibition, an unmissable event for classic car enthusiasts.
The piece, which was originally sold to Bugatti in 1932, belongs to a series of nine car timepieces that Breguet designed specifically for the brand. Its chrome-plated metal case measures 67 mm in diameter and houses a complication carefully chosen for the automotive industry: a tachymeter scale. Its cream dial, which bears the words “Spécial pour Bugatti”, features the famous blued-steel Breguet hands that were designed in 1783. Chronograph No. 2023 also has a cumulative minutes counter visible in an aperture at 6 o’clock and not a date aperture as many would think. The chronograph is powered by a mechanical hand wound movement with a power reserve of eight days, which is wound using a crown located at 6 o’clock. This exceptional creation was sold in its original box.
The dashboard chronograph No. 2023 was produced during the interwar years and shows the highly diverse range of activities carried out by the watch Manufacture. In addition to creating pieces for the navy and the aeronautic industry, Breguet also supplied automotive brands throughout its history. Brilliant car manufacturer Ettore Bugatti, who was a faithful friend of the Maison, placed his order at the beginning of the 1930s. He wanted to fit his luxurious “Royale” cars with a chronograph featuring a tachymeter function, intended to be placed in the middle of the steering wheel.
The Manufacture responded to his request by offering a range of timepieces that incorporated all the expertise acquired by the Maison since its foundation in 1775. Breguet is delighted to have acquired this precious timepiece, which enriches its already considerable collection of antique pieces. This purchase attests to the desire of Marc A. Hayek, President and CEO, to preserve the Manufacture’s historical and cultural heritage.
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