Maritime Precision: Watch Manufacturer Breguet

To mark Breguet’s 250th anniversary, an exceptional example of the famous French watchmaker’s art will be sold at auction at Dorotheum: the Marine Tourbillon Équation Marchante Grande Complication. Breguet was a pioneer of his time. His inventions, which include the tourbillon und the Breguet balance-spring, revolutionised the fine art of watchmaking.

The story of Breguet is one of innovation, precision and timeless elegance. Since its establishment in 1775 by Abraham-Louis Breguet, the company has set the gold standard in the art of watchmaking. Its timepieces have been valued by kings, scientists and artists alike. Abraham-Louis Breguet was born in Neuchâtel, Switzerland in 1747, and settled in Paris, where he established his watchmaking business. An exceptionally talented and inventive man, he developed numerous ground-breaking innovations, including the Breguet hands, the tourbillon and the shock absorber. His watches possessed a unique aesthetic and matchless precision.

Over the centuries, the company has remained true to its founder’s legacy and has continued to set new standards in the art of watchmaking. The brand became the official supplier to the French Navy and developed instruments for scientists and explorers. Famous wearers of Breguet watches include such notable figures as Napoleon Bonaparte, Marie-Antoinette and Winston Churchill. Breguet is now part of the Swatch Group, and remains one of the most famous watchmakers in the world. Combining traditional craftsmanship with state-of-the-art technology, Breguet continues to make exclusive timepieces that delight both watch enthusiasts and collectors.

The Breguet Marine Tourbillon Équation Marchante Grande Complication is an outstanding example of Breguet’s inexhaustible spirit of innovation. This exceptional watch combines masterful engineering with the maritime tradition and, inspired by Breguet’s historical links to the French Navy, classic elegance with cutting-edge technology. The highlight of the watch is the Équation Marchante function, a true masterpiece of mechanical sophistication. This complex system allows the wearer to see the time difference between actual solar time and standard time, and to do so in real time. The mechanism has been combined with a tourbillon, which offers outstanding precision and minimises the effects of gravity.

The housing of the watch is made from precious materials, often platinum or rose gold, and features a dial with artistic guilloché engraving in the company’s distinctive style. The maritime inspiration is reflected in the decorative wave shapes and engraved elements reminiscent of the brand’s nautical connection.

The Breguet Marine Tourbillon Équation Marchante Grande Complication is more than just a watch: it is a symbol of technological mastery and aesthetic perfection. And it represents the spirit of Abraham-Louis Breguet, whose legacy lives on in every single component of this unique creation. With this model, Breguet remains true to its tradition while demonstrating that innovation and craftsmanship are timeless.