Manufacturer: Breguet Year: Circa 1941 Movement No: 4094 Case No: 4094 Material: 18k yellow gold Calibre: Mechanical, 13''', 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Brown Breguet crocodile leather strap Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold buckle Dimensions: 33.5 mm. diameter Signed:Dial signed, case dial and movement numbered 4094
Catalogue Essay
Breguet’s earliest chronograph wristwatches can be traced back to 1935. Fitted with a sector dial, this example is most notably, and strikingly signed "4094" to the case, dial and movement.
The present watch is not only an extremely early example, it is also among the very first Breguet wristwatches to be "triple signed". The watch display's Breguet’s signature design elements, such as the "coin-edge" band and "olive" pushers. The hallmark is furthermore stamped on the edge of the movement, as to not disrupt the coin edge design on the band.
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.