Manufacturer: Breguet Year: 1956 Movement No: 1'512 Case No: B1'512 Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, Cal. 13''' based on Peseux 260, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Alligator Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold pin buckle Dimensions: 35mm. Diameter Signed: Dial signed, movement and case numbered
Catalogue Essay
Breguet is one of the rare brands where one can immediately recognize the maker at a glance. What is even more mind boggling is to think that Abraham-Louis Breguet set these visual codes over 200 years ago and yet they remain relevant today.
The present lot fully features Breguet’s signature elements such as the superb hand guilloché dial, “pomme” hands and coin edge case.
The beautifully hand finished Peseaux 260 based movement beating within is a marvel of horological genius. The Peseaux 260 was made from about 1944 to 1967 in approximately 3300 pieces and designed specifically to compete in observatory chronometer trials as conducted in Geneva and Neuchatel. So exceptional was this movement that it was used by many different brands in order to compete in these widely influential timing competitions.
The present lot was sold on 10 November, 1956 for a rather impressive 120,000 French Francs, it 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. Consequently it is part of a very rare number of Breguet gold dress watches made in the 1950s and its exceptional rarity makes it a superb addition to any collection.
Established in 1775 by Abraham Louis Breguet, widely considered the greatest watchmaker of all time, the storied brand continues to thrive in the modern era, creating exceptional high-end watches as the Swatch Group's premier prestige brand. Some of the most important and lasting inventions in watchmaking are attributed to Abraham Louis Breguet, including the tourbillon, shock resistance and the use of hammers and gongs employed in nearly all minute repeating watches made since.
Eighteenth and nineteenth century Breguet pocketwatches are especially sought-after by collectors, and many of them were made for the elite of European society, including Napoléon and Marie Antoinette. Key wristwatches from the twentieth century include oversized dress watches, two-register chronographs, triple calendars and Type XX aviator's chronographs made for the French military and civilians.