Saturday, 16 June 2012

Breguet Inaugurates Exhibit of Vintage Aviation Timepieces on Board The Intrepid

June 15, 2012—New York, NY. Breguet, the world’s most prestigious watch brand, continues to highlight the legacy of its founder Abraham-Louis Breguet (“A.-L. Breguet”) with an exhibit entitled: “Breguet: Watchmaker, Aviator, Innovator.” celebrating a century in aviation inspired timepieces.
Photo courtesy of Breguet and Camilo Munar 
The exhibition launched on Flag Day, June 14th, under the New York City skyline against the backdrop of a fleet of fighter planes on board the deck of The Intrepid. A cocktail reception unveiling the exhibit was hosted by the Board of Montres Breguet represented by Mr. Rodolphe Schulthess, VP of Global Sales, Mr. Jean-Charles Zufferey, Head of Marketing and Mr. Michael Nelson, Breguet USA Brand President. Over 300 guests were treated to a private viewing of the exhibit and a sneak peak of the Space Shuttle Enterprise. VIP guests included Mr. Floyd Cardoz, winner, Top Chef Masters and preferred clients.
Photo courtesy of Breguet and Camilo Munar 
The evening was amplified by an expansive display of 26 Breguet watches, including 10 vintage timepieces on display for the first time in the U.S.

Starting in New York City, Breguet embarks on a two month tour that traces the history of Breguet in aviation and showcases the brand's legacy of innovation with a variety of historical timepieces including the original Breguet Type XX, and Breguet’s 10Hz technology which is integrated into the Type XXII.  

Breguet’s most celebrated clients included Napoleon, Marie-Antoinette and Winston Churchill to name a few. His extraordinary talents were undoubtedly passed down to his descendants, namely his great-great grandson Louis-Charles, who turned his talents to the fledgling world of Aviation.


The evolution of the clock is closely linked to the development of long distance transportation. During the age of A.-L. Breguet, it was ship and sea travel that influenced innovation. In 1815, A.-L. Breguet developed the marine chronometer that helped usher in a more efficient age of sea travel. The invention was adopted by the French Navy, and Breguet was appointed “Horloger de la Marine Royal" (watchmaker to the Royal Navy).

By the beginning of the 20th century, the demands of the sea gave way to the demands of the sky. Hence, the evolution of the aircraft soon prompted the evolution of the wristwatch. In 1918, the Breguet watch company first began producing watches for aviators and also developed chronograph mechanisms mounted in cockpit instrument panels.

Breguet’s ties to the French Navy grew as the need for military aircraft at sea became evident soon after the first planes took flight. The French ministry of war formed the French Naval Air Arm (“Aéronavale”) in 1910 and by 1913 was using Breguet planes in its fleet. For the next 60 years, Breguet planes were the primary aircraft used by the Aéronavale.

“Breguet: Watchmaker, Aviator, Innovator” will be open for viewing at the Breguet Boutique on Fifth Avenue from June 19thto July 8th, the Breguet Boutique in Bal Harbour from  July 12th to  July 29th and complete the tour at the Breguet Boutique on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills from August 2nd to August 19th.

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Wednesday, 16 May 2012

Breguet Acquires Two Antique Watches for a Record Price of Nearly 7 Million Swiss Francs


No. 2667 Courtesy of Breguet

The Breguet Museum and its President, Marc A. Hayek, have acquired two exceptional Breguet watches that made their mark on Fine Watchmaking history, for a record price of nearly 7 million Swiss francs.  Bought at a Christie's auction in Geneva on Monday, May 14th, these masterpieces are the most expensive ever purchased in Breguet's history, and the costliest Breguet antique watches ever sold at auction to date.  The first watch, no. 2667 dating from 1814, went for the unequalled price of over 4 million Swiss francs.  This thin pocket watch with two movements is based on the chronometer principle (resonance).  It is an extremely rare piece made in 18-carat yellow gold, of unsurpassed delicacy and elegance. A.-L. Breguet designed it to confirm his theory that two oscillating bodies in close proximity will influence each other.  This objet d'art has two separate dials, the first numbered with Arabic numerals, the second with Roman numerals. It is an extraordinary timepiece that reflects both Breguet's refined aesthetic sense and his innovative inventive genius.
No. 4111 Courtesy of Breguet

The second antique piece, no. 4111, is a thin flat equation-of-time and repeater watch, built on the chronometer principle.  It repeats hours, half-hours, quarter-hours, and half-quarters.  This "Grande Complication" watch dates from 1827 and was purchased for more than 2.5 million Swiss francs.  It has an annual calendar as well as a manual perpetual calendar, and also displays mean and apparent solar time.  In pursuit of aesthetic and functional perfection, the balance wheel was especially worked so that the watch would be extremely thin, fascinating technical feats in a "Grande Complication" watch.  Montres Breguet is proud to announce the arrival of these treasures for its museums.  This unique event confirms Breguet President and CEO Marc A. Hayek's commitment to preserving the Manufacture's historic and cultural legacy.

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Saturday, 5 May 2012

BREGUET - there's an app for that!


breguet now on iPad and iPhone

May 4, 2012. L’Abbaye, Switzerland— Following the success of the digital version of its magazine “Le Quai de l’Horloge” for the iPad, Breguet is now launching a corporate application for iPad and iPhone, which is available for download from the App Store.

The new Breguet application presents all the brand’s collections, as well as its worldwide network of certified points of sale, and an interactive journey into the Breguet universe. Exceptional high-quality videos and images reveal the secrets of a renowned watch Manufacture, a symbol of cultural and historic heritage and technological avant-garde.

Discover some of Abraham-Louis Breguet’s inventions that had the greatest impact on the history of Fine Watchmaking. Delve into the complexities of exceptional timepieces featuring incredible technical breakthroughs, from the gong spring to the tourbillon. Also keep time with the brilliant watchmaker’s famous hands, through published previews of current news.

Breguet’s corporate iPad and iPhone application will complement the digital iPad version of “Le Quai de l’Horloge” magazine. Available from the App Store since February, the latter takes you on a journey of discovery of the Manufacture’s fascinating history. From the Palazzo Reale to Naples, where Caroline Murat lived, to Marie-Antoinette’s apartments in the Petit Trianon, “Le Quai de l’Horloge” transports you to places of rare beauty, filled with breathtaking cultural wealth.




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Tuesday, 1 May 2012

Breguet to Debut 2012 Novelties at Madison Avenue Watch Week


Breguet, will debut its 2012 novelties for the first time in the U.S at the 2nd Annual Madison Avenue Watch Week. The Breguet Boutique on Madison Avenue is proud to welcome watch collectors and enthusiasts throughout the week long affair. Breguet’s 2012 novelties were first revealed at Baselworld in March of 2012.
Courtesy of Breguet

Featured pieces will range from new GMT watches to the brand’s reinterpretation of their venerable Heritage collection. Along with the 2012 novelties, Breguet will also have on display timepieces with exceptional complications such as tourbillons, minute repeaters and high jewellery.

Courtesy of Breguet
www.breguet.com

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