Posts filed under Breguet

Macros: Breguet Hora Mundi ref. 5717. One of Our Favorite Worldtimers.

The Breguet Classique Hora Mundi ref. 5717 in 18K rose gold or platinum is our second favorite worldtimer right after the Patek Philippe ref. 5130 in terms of functionality and our favorite one in terms of design. This watch is fitted with a robust 43mm case and with the Breguet automatic calibre 77F0. For this particular watch, there are three versions of the dial available each representing one part of the world: the Americas, the European and African continents, or Asia and Oceania with a total of six different references. The dial features chapter ring with Arabic numerals, light blue inlay depicting the ocean, highly polished 'bass relief' continent and the Breguet secret signature between 12 and 1 o'clock.

Besides its elegant and unique design, the greatest feature about this watch, is its iconic complication with an instant-jump 24 timezone display system with synchronized date that with the push of the button located at 7 o'clock you can jump from your pre-selected home time to the pre-selected second time zone back and forth as many times as necessary with a synchronized date indicator. The home time and second time zone are displayed in a small aperture at 6 o'clock, the date is displayed at 12 o'clock and a delicate and intricately finished moon phase aperture is located at 3 o 'clock.

Sticker Price $78,900 USD —18K rose gold— $94,200 USD —platinum. For more info on Breguet click here.

Posted on January 14, 2014 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Breguet and tagged Breguet Hora Mundi ref. 5717br/us/9zu Breguet Hora Mundi ref. 5717pt/us/9zu 2014.

News: Breguet Acquires Three Antique Watches at Christie's Auction in Geneva. Over 1.5 Million Swiss Francs Paid.

Press Release

November 13, 2013. Geneva, Switzerland—The Breguet Museum and its President, Marc A. Hayek, have acquired three exceptional Breguet watches that made their mark on Fine Watchmaking history, for a price of nearly 1.5 million Swiss Francs. Among the purchased lots, an extremely rare, highly complicated pocket watch, the Breguet No. 4691. Bought at Christie’s and Sotheby’s auctions in Geneva on Monday November 11th and Tuesday 12th respectively, these masterpieces complete the already important collection of the House.

Sold on July 3, 1833 to the Marquis d’Abercorn, the first watch, No. 5015 went for the price of 38,000 Swiss Francs. This pocket watch is one of the very first watches ever made by any watchmaker featuring a keyless stem winding and hour setting system. Created in 1830, this invention is the ancestor of all modern winding mechanisms, consisting of a knurled winding button to be turned from left to right until a stop was reached. Spanning three Breguet generations, from founder Abraham-Louis and his contribution to the development of the keyless winding and hour setting mechanism, to his son Antoine-Louis who perfected and commercialized it, then the latter’s son Louis-Clément who sold it only 6 weeks after taking reigns of the firm, the No. 5015 is an important witness of the work and legacy of the House of Breguet.

The second antique piece, well-known as the No. 4420 is a historically important 18K gold and silver hunter case cylinder watch. With eccentric hour and minute dials, gold Breguet hands and surmounted by the advance/retard slide, it was purchased for more than 240,000 Swiss Francs. This pocket watch was bought on October 3, 1825 by King George IV of Great Britain. Like his father, King George IV was an aficionado of fine watches and clocks and one of A.L. Breguet’s earliest clients, admirers and most loyal customers. With this acquisition the House took the exceptionally scarce opportunity to acquire one of the Breguet’s “Royal” watches.

Last but not least, the third watch is an extremely rare extra-flat half-quarter repeating pocket watch. Sold on October 13, 1831 to Lord Henry Seymour Conway, the No. 4691 is one of the most complicated watches to have been made by Breguet in such a slim case. With a thickness of 7.7 mm, this Repeater watch displays equation of time, power reserve indication, calendar and moon phase based on chronometer principles. Reflecting the constant search for innovation that has characterized Breguet’s production since the 18th century, boasting an exceptionally large number of complications for a watch of this time, this prestigious timepiece was purchased for more than one million Swiss Francs.

Montres Breguet is proud to announce the arrival of these treasures at its museums. This unique event confirms Breguet President and CEO Marc A. Hayek’s commitment to preserving the Manufacture’s historic and cultural legacy.

For more info on Breguet click here.

Posted on November 15, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Breguet, News, Christie's, Watch Auctions and tagged Marc A. Hayek Montres Breguet Breguet No. 4420 Heures et Minutes Breguet No. 4691 Breguet No. 5015 Christie's Auction Geneva 2013.

Experience: The Breguet Exhibition Chicago. The Largest Number of Breguet Tourbillons Displayed in One Location.

This past Thursday October 24th, 2013, the special Breguet Exhibition of Tourbillons opened at the Tourbillon Boutique Chicago. This is a traveling exhibition with the largest number of Breguet tourbillons —from current collections and museum pieces— to ever be displayed in just one place outside of the Breguet Museum in Paris or their atelier in the Vallée de Joux.

Another fascinating night hosted by our friends from the Tourbillon Boutique here in Chicago —their store carries the largest selection of Breguet timepieces in the Chicago area as well as some very fascinating timepieces that are very hard to find like 'La Musicale' and the 'Grande Complication'.

In addition to the more than 30 modern tourbillons on display, three very special Breguet museum pieces were brought to the store for the exhibition. These included the Breguet Tourbillon No. 2567 with a hunter case circa 1812, the Breguet Perpétuelle No. 5 with Quarter Repeater circa 1794 —one out of six— and the Tourbillon Minute Repeater Pièce Unique ref. 1907BA/12.

After a nice welcome and remarks from Michael Nelson —Breguet's Brand Manager—, this fascinating evening kicked-off on the right note. The exhibition will be on display until October 29th and then it will travel to New York City where it will be on display from November 7th thru the 17th. In the picture below, we can also see Liliana Chen —Breguet's Public Relations Manager— in the red dress.

The evening was filled with appetizing 'hors d'oeuvres', champagne, wine and of course, these unbelievable horological creations that are a treat to the eyes and that without Abraham-Louis Breguet —the father of the tourbillon— would've never existed.

We would like to thank our friends at the Tourbillon Boutique Chicago and Breguet for letting us be part of this fascinating evening. Now, enjoy the rest of the eye candy.

For more info on Breguet click here.

Posted on October 26, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Events, Breguet and tagged Breguet Tourbillons Exhibition Tourbillon Boutique Chicago Breguet Exhibition Liliana Chen Michael Nelson 2013.

Insider: Breguet Marine Royale ref. 5847. A Diver's Watch with Alarm Mechanism.

The Breguet Marine Royale ref. 5847BR/Z2/5ZV is a massive timepiece with an 18K rose gold case featuring an automatic movement with an alarm mechanism and a sporty rubber strap. The case measuring 45mm in diameter and 17.45mm in thickness is very solid, masculine and crafted like a tank. The caseband is engraved with the traditional Breguet fluting and the watch is fitted with a very solid and thick turning bezel with luminous mark at 12 and security wave shaped ratchet at 3 o'clock right between the winding crown located at 2 and the alarm setting crown —fitted with a black rubber ring— at 4 o'clock. The alarm on/off push-piece is located at 8 o'clock in the shape of a wave, with rubber casing and fluting.

The dial appears to look like a ruthenium dial and it features a beautifully done rose engine wave 'guilloché' pattern at the center and the outer rim, applied Roman numerals chapter ring in rose gold, luminous dots minute chapter on the outer rim of the dial, blue dot alarm setting chapter ring on center of dial, blue arrow-head alarm hand, alarm on/off indicator at 12 with a musical note in blue, blue and white alarm power reserve indicator at 10 and a date aperture at 6 o'clock with black calendar disc and white font. The dial is completed by the Breguet style hands with applied luminova. A downside of the dial is that the luminova is not very powerful.

This beautiful timepiece is powered by the automatic Breguet calibre 519 R that beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph with 36 jewels and that provides a power reserve of 45 hours when fully wound. This calibre is one of the most beautiful movements we've seen lately and it is fully visible via the display case back. Regardless of its display case back, this watch is waterproof rated to a depth of 300 meters. Additionally the finish of the case back is just spectacular and exceptionally executed. The third picture shows the alarm mechanism in action.

The Breguet Marine Royal ref. 5847 is fitted with a nice and thick rubber strap with pyramidal square pattern near the lugs and wave pattern on the inside with Marine Royal in blue —a very nice and unique touch. The strap comes fitted with a double-folding clasp with easy adjustment pin buckle in rose gold and with two rose gold fasteners shaped as waves.

In summary, this is a fascinating sports watch that is very solid, large and comfortable on the wrist. The strap wears like a glove and the alarm complication is just fascinating. The watch wears way larger than its actual size on a 7-7.25" wrist and almost like a 50mm timepiece —nothing wrong as long as you like to wear big watches. This watch is also available in white gold, white gold with black dial and rose gold with rose gold dial.

Sticker Price $46,300 USD. For more info on Breguet click here.

Posted on October 3, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Breguet and tagged Breguet Marine Royale ref. 5847BR/Z2/5ZV Breguet Marine Royale with Alarm Mechanism Breguet ref. 5847 Posts 2013 2013.

Insider: Breguet Type XXI Transatlantique 3810. A Sporty and Elegant Flyback Chronograph.

Whenever watchlifestylers hear the name Breguet, the first thing that comes to mind is elegance and an immediate association of the brand to their Classique, Tradition or Marine collections; however, the Type XX / Type XXI collection rarely comes to mind when thinking of this amazing manufacture.

The Type XX was designed in the 50s for the French naval air army and all the chronographs within this collection are fitted with a flyback mechanism that is labeled by Breguet in French language as 'Retour en Vol', flyback in English.

The Type XX / Type XXI collection features watches divided into two lines: the Aéronavale and the Transatlantique. The main difference is that the latter includes a date indicator while the first one doesn't. The Breguet Type XXI Transatlantique ref. 3810ST/92/9ZU in stainless steel has a solid and robust case measuring 42.5mm in diameter and 15.4mm in thickness. Because of the unique shape and width of its turning bezel, the watch appears somewhat larger than its actual size. The attention to details on the construction of the case is remarkable and the fluting on the caseband is very unique and great at refracting light. The watch is fitted with a screw-down crown and pump chrono pushers.

The dial is perhaps the most interesting and fascinating part of this watch. Made of ruthenium —a material rarely used by other watch manufacturers—, the dial appears brownish or even grayish depending on the lighting conditions. The dial features a running seconds register at 9, an hour chrono register and a trapezoid date aperture at 6 and a 24-hour indicator at 3 o'clock. The seconds and minutes for the chrono are indicated with two hands set at the center pinion and a minute scale imprinted on the outer ring of the dial. The white Arabic numerals along with the diamond shaped markers round up the dial configuration very nicely. The movement inside this watch is the Breguet calibre 584Q with 25 jewels and a power-reserve of 48 hours. One downside of this watch is that it is fitted with a solid case back; therefore, the calibre cannot be admired as on most Breguet watches.

This watch is fitted with a brown crocodile strap with a deployant buckle. The strap is quite comfortable as well as nice and thick. For sure, this is a strap that will last a long time and that can take on daily abuse and wear.

If you are looking to get your first Breguet but you can't afford one of their complications, this is the perfect watch with a very nice price point. Also available with stainless steel bracelet or in 18K rose gold with a brown crocodile strap.

Sticker Price $10,300 USD. For more info on Breguet click here.

Posted on August 10, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Breguet and tagged Retour en Vol Breguet Type XX Collection Breguet Type XXI Collection Breguet Aeronavale Breguet ref. 3810ST Flyback Chrono Breguet Calibre 584Q Breguet Type XXI Transatlantique ref. 3810ST/92/9ZU Breguet Transatlantique 2013.

Insider: Breguet Classique Grand Complication ref. 5447. A Handmade 'Guilloché' Dial in a Stunning Timepiece.

Breguet has always been synonym of 'haute horlogerie' since the time in which Abraham-Louis Breguet started creating timepieces in France. Breguet was originally from Neuchatel, Switzerland but at age 15, he relocated to France to begin his fantastic career as a watchmaker. As most of you know, Breguet is the creator of innovative escapements, the tourbillon and some of the most amazing and fascinating complications in the horological world.

The Breguet Classique Grand Complication ref. 5447BB1E9V6 in white gold is a masterpiece from the Classique Complications collection that features the hand-wound calibre 567 RMP1 with minute-repeater and perpetual calendar. The dial is a silvered 18-carat gold dial that has been hand-engraved on a rose engine with a level of intricate work that is just mesmerizing and unfathomable.

This amazing timepiece features a moonphase indicator at 1, the day at 4, the date at 6, the leap-year in a sub-dial at 8 and a retrograde month indicator at 10 o'clock. The dial includes roman numerals and anodized blue hands that contrast perfectly against the silver finish. The watch is fitted with a display case back that allows for full view of the highly hand-decorated calibre 567 RMP1 —with 31 jewels and a power-reserve of 40 hours when fully wound.

The case on this watch measures 44 mm in width and is perfectly finished. All complications can be set via the push-pieces located on the sides of the case. The lever mechanism to activate the gong for the minute-repeater complication is located on the left side around 9 o'clock.

The watch comes with a crocodile strap with deployant buckle that is very comfortable and that does not require any breaking in period as the leather is nicely crafted and very supple.

In our watch collecting life, we have perused and owned fantastic references and unbelievable timepieces that are just a work of art; nevertheless, this is a watch that takes your breath away and leaves you in awe like no other watch we've reviewed so far. By the way, this watch is also available in 18K rose gold.

Sticker Price $314,300 USD. For more info click here.

Posted on July 18, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Breguet and tagged Breguet ref. 5447BB/1E/9V6 in white gold Breguet Grande Complication ref. 5447 Breguet Calibre 567 RMP1 Breguet ref. 5447BB1E9V6 Breguet Classique Grand Complication Posts 2013 2013.

Baselworld: Breguet Museum's Special Exhibit. Tourbillons and Grande Complications.

In addition to Breguet's beautiful pavilion, this manufacture also featured a special exhibit where they showcased fantastic museum pieces to portray the innovations and inventions of Breguet since 1775 to date.

The small exhibit located right in between Glashütte and Jaquet Droz took us on a beautiful journey through Breguet's history and wowed us with some of their most amazing historical pieces, mainly tourbillons and grande complications.

See for yourself and live vicariously.