Manufacturer: Breguet Year: 1962 Case No: 5172 Material: 18k yellow gold Calibre: Manual, Peseux 260 Bracelet/Strap: 18k yellow gold Breguet bracelet measuring 210mm max length Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold folding clasp Dimensions: 34,5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Breguet Certificate confirming sale if the present wristwatch on 23 May 1962 for 1800 French Francs
Catalogue Essay
Breguet is one of the rare brands that is immediately recognizable upon 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 edged case. It is worthy to note that the present watch differs slightly from most commonly found examples as the numerals on the subsidiary registers face upwards (usually the number "30" is reversed) giving this timepiece another interesting dimension.
The beautifully hand finished Peseux 260 based movement beating within is a marvel of horological genius. The Peseux 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.
Even more impressive is the flexible and incredibly well-made Breguet bracelet that accompanies the present timepiece - an incredible rarity in itself.
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.