Collectors and enthusiasts are well aware that Abraham Louis Breguet revolutionized watchmaking, thanks to his numerous technical innovations, but a little known fact is that he also completely rethought watch design by toning down the lavish designs that were the goût du jour within the European aristocracy. In a way he applied the philosophy of “less is more” almost 200 years before the founder of minimalist architecture 1947 Ludwig Mies van der Rohe coined the phrase in 1947.

The present lot bears the Breguet DNA of sotto voce elegance, the curvaceous three-piece case with its elongated lugs provide a nonchalante wrist presence whereas the yellow gold numerals and hands add a dash of flamboyance. The date is placed in a very original manner at 12.

Beating inside is the A. Schild caliber 1396N. Adolph Schild began producing watch movements in Grenchen Switzerland in 1896 and by the late 1950s was Switzerland’s largest ebauche manufacturer only specialized in time only movements.

The present lot is a spectacular example of Breguet's exquisite style, made during an era when Breguet was concentrating its efforts on producing Type XX chronographs for the French naval forces. Accordingly, it’s exceptionally rare – especially as one of a very small number of dress watches made by Breguet in the 1960s, making it a superb addition for the connoisseur.