Breguet was founded in 1775 by Abraham-Louis Breguet, a Swiss watchmaker born to Huguenot parents in Neuchatel. He studied watchmaking for 10 years under Ferdinand Berthoud and Jean-Antoine Lpine before setting up his own watchmaking business in Paris at 51 Quai de l'Horloge on the ?le de la Cit in Paris. The dowry that came with his marriage to the daughter of a prosperous French bourgeois provided the backing which allowed him to open his own workshop. Breguet's connections made during his apprenticeship as a watchmaker and as a student of mathematics helped him to establish his business. Following his introduction to the court, Queen Marie Antoinette grew fascinated by Breguet's unique self-winding watch; Louis XVI bought several of his watches. In 1783 the Swedish count, Axel Von Fersen, who was the queen's friend and reputed lover, commissioned a watch from Breguet that was to contain every watch complication known at that time as a gift to Marie Antoinette, C Breguet's masterpiece, the Marie Antoinette (No. 160).[citation needed]
The business was a success, and around 1807 he took on his son Louis-Antoine as his partner, renaming the firm "Breguet et Fils" (Breguet and Sons). Louis-Antoine took over the firm upon the death of his father in 1823. After Louis-Antoine retired in 1833 (he died in 1858) the business was passed to Abraham-Louis' grandson Louis Clment Francois (1804C1883). Abraham-Louis' great-grandson Louis Antoine (1851C1882) was the last of the Breguet family to run the business. Although he had two sons and a daughter, they did not enter the business, so the Breguet company hired noted English watchmaker Edward Brown of Clerkenwell to manage the Paris factory. Brown eventually became a partner and, after Breguet's grandson's death, the owner and head of the company. When Brown died in 1895 the firm was taken over by his sons, Edward and Henry. On Edward's retirement in the early 1900s, Henry Brown became the head of the firm.
1962 Lord Elgin 30 Jewel Sel-Wind just back from service. If my info is correct, it was only worn until1968, then stashed away. This was part of a junk drawer purchase of four watches I bought a few years ago while "on the wagon" (not collecting) The others were pocket watches including a 18 Size Elgin Veritis from 1903 and a BWR from 1909.........
Patek philippe cron?metro gondolo circa 1905
Hello to allMy recent acquisition, this Patek Gondolo 1905 manufactured exclusively for Gondolo and Labouriau of Rio de Janeiro. (Box and Paper)Certificate signed by PhilippePATEK 1885PATEK 1890PATEK 1900PATEK 1964I hope you enjoyedCheers from BrazilDouglas Gravina........
Would like to hear advice on buying from foreign sellers...
Particularly on ebay. I pass on what seem like some good deals because I am wary of buying from outside the U.S. Are there any countries in particular that are suspect, and any makes and/or models that should be scrutinized closely? Also, what can you tell me about customs/duty?Thanks!........
Wruw 12/12/2015
Omega SMP for todayMod please help. Typo on the IPhone AGAINI really do know 2015 is not here yet! 😫........