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.
A Shot In The Dark - 1978 Omega Speedmaster 145.022 Content
I took a major punt on this one whilst fruitlessly searching for a vintage Speedy a few weeks ago. There were a few complications and some money had to be spent but the final result was beyond even my expectations. Full write-up here: 1978 Omega Speedmaster 145.022 Moon ? thirtyfivemill........
Frankentacular!!!
We have a winner! #110767017726........
Sources for Breitling bracelets--?
Can anyone help me locate sources from which I might buy a Breitling bracelet? Looking for different styles, options right now; nothing in particular. New or vintage.Thanks! ........
Watch Parts
Can anyone tell me where I could buy a watch case for a 1939 Longines Movement ? I recently purchased a watch, but the top part of the case is incorrect.Thank you.Do you need pics ?........