Portal:Anniversaries/September 17

1823 — Swiss watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet dies. He is credited for many innovations, including improving automatic winding, free-sprung escapement, shock protection, and the so-called Breguet hairspring. His son founded the eponymous Breguet company.

1967 — The first prototype Beta 2 watches are delivered for testing to the Neuchâtel Observatory. These would be productized as the first Swiss quartz watch.

2007 — Richemont assumes control of Roger Dubuis' component production as prelude to an acquisition of the company the following year.

2015 — Giulio Papi, founder of Renaud et Papi, wins the Prix Gaïa award.

2018 — Francois-Paul Journe confirms that Chanel has acquired a 20% stake in his namesake independent watchmaking company, Montres Journe SA.

2020 — Antoine Preziuso, Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei, and Denis Savoie win the Prix Gaïa awards.