Montres Breguet: Difference between revisions
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After the death of its founder in [[1823]] the [[manufacture]], under the guidance of his nephew, Louis-Antoine, last direct descendant of the Breguet family, adapts the name "Breguet Neveu & Cie". He begins a collaboration with [[Brown, Edward|Edward Brown]], an Englishman, who becomes the sole owner of the [[manufacture]] in [[1870]]. From generation to generation the manufacture under the Browns often relocated their headquarters. | After the death of its founder in [[1823]] the [[manufacture]], under the guidance of his nephew, Louis-Antoine, last direct descendant of the Breguet family, adapts the name "Breguet Neveu & Cie". He begins a collaboration with [[Brown, Edward|Edward Brown]], an Englishman, who becomes the sole owner of the [[manufacture]] in [[1870]]. From generation to generation the manufacture under the Browns often relocated their headquarters. | ||
[[1970]] the | ==Chaumet== | ||
In [[1970]] the Breguet brand was acquired by Parisian jewelers [[Chaumet|Jacques and Pierre Chaumet]], reportedly for "a modest sum." The brand was essentially defunct at this time, and the Chaumet brothers hired jeweler François Bodet to manage their Les Temporelles watch boutique in Place Vendôme in [[1972]]. In [[1975]] Bodet was tasked with reviving the Breguet brand, which he approached as a jeweler and with deep appreciation for the history of the brand and the image of luxury it connoted. Working with watchmakers [[Daniel Roth]] and [[Louis-Maurice Caillet]] and designer [[Gérald Genta]], Breguet first launched a [[perpetual calendar]] to re-establish its reputation. According to Bodet, the brand sold 500-700 watches, mainly through the Chaumet retail stores, prior to [[1983]]. | |||
Breguet first exhibited at [[BaselWorld|Basel 83]] and the brand quickly accelerated. In [[1987]] Bodet (now general manager of the brand) began working on a [[tourbillon]], the signature complication invented by Abraham-Louis Breguet. It was launched in [[1990]] as Ref. 3350, the signature model for the brand in the 1990s. | |||
[[Chaumet]] was bankrupt and Breguet was purchased in [[1987]] by [[Investcorp]]. The company soon purchased [[Nouvelle Lemania]] to supply mechanical movements, forming Group Breguet and driving sales to 4,700 per year by [[1993]]. | |||
==Swatch Group== | |||
On September 14, [[1999]] Breguet together with the [[Nouvelle Lemania]] is taken over by the [[Swatch Group]]. Today the watch production is performed in [[L'Abbaye]] in the [[Vallée de Joux]] (canton of [[Neuchatel]]). | On September 14, [[1999]] Breguet together with the [[Nouvelle Lemania]] is taken over by the [[Swatch Group]]. Today the watch production is performed in [[L'Abbaye]] in the [[Vallée de Joux]] (canton of [[Neuchatel]]). | ||
Revision as of 22:35, 7 February 2024
- See Also: Breguet for other uses of the name
Template:Hersteller-Menue2 Template:File
Breguet is a Swiss watch manufacture, currently part of the Swatch Group's Prestige and Luxury division. It is named in homage to watchmaking pioneer Abraham-Louis Breguet, though there is no direct historical link between the modern brand and his workshop.
The current Breguet company is descended directly from watch case manufacturer Bernard Bréguet-Bréting, who registered the current script logo in 1957 at Bolsa. The brand was acquired by the Chaumet brothers around 1970 but they struggled to bring the name back. Breguet officially re-launched in 1983, was purchased by Investcorp in 1987, and was taken over by Swatch Group in 1999 along with Nouvelle Lemania.
Short survey
The name of this famous luxury watch manufacturer comes from Abraham-Louis Breguet, who is considered the foremost watchmaker and inventor in the history of the watch. The appearance of the watches still has the basic features of the models made by Abraham-Louis Breguet: classic, often guilloché dial with Roman numerals, Breguet hands and cannellated case in solid gold. The brand Breguet is one of the undisputed top brands in the highest-priced segment of the watch market.
The beginnings
Abraham-Louis Breguet founded a watch workshop in Paris in 1775. Initially the focus was on the finishing of foreign ebauche movements, but soon followed the production of pocket watches with his own movement, oriented at Lépine. In 1798 Breguet presented his free escapement with "constant pressure" at a national exhibition. From this time his success could not be stopped any more. Even Tsar Alexander, during a visit to Paris, used the opportunity to visit the studio of the great maître.
In 1808 Breguet's son Louis entered the firm as a partner and continued business after Breguet's death. From then on the manufacture was called "Breguet et fils".
Further history
After the death of its founder in 1823 the manufacture, under the guidance of his nephew, Louis-Antoine, last direct descendant of the Breguet family, adapts the name "Breguet Neveu & Cie". He begins a collaboration with Edward Brown, an Englishman, who becomes the sole owner of the manufacture in 1870. From generation to generation the manufacture under the Browns often relocated their headquarters.
Chaumet
In 1970 the Breguet brand was acquired by Parisian jewelers Jacques and Pierre Chaumet, reportedly for "a modest sum." The brand was essentially defunct at this time, and the Chaumet brothers hired jeweler François Bodet to manage their Les Temporelles watch boutique in Place Vendôme in 1972. In 1975 Bodet was tasked with reviving the Breguet brand, which he approached as a jeweler and with deep appreciation for the history of the brand and the image of luxury it connoted. Working with watchmakers Daniel Roth and Louis-Maurice Caillet and designer Gérald Genta, Breguet first launched a perpetual calendar to re-establish its reputation. According to Bodet, the brand sold 500-700 watches, mainly through the Chaumet retail stores, prior to 1983.
Breguet first exhibited at Basel 83 and the brand quickly accelerated. In 1987 Bodet (now general manager of the brand) began working on a tourbillon, the signature complication invented by Abraham-Louis Breguet. It was launched in 1990 as Ref. 3350, the signature model for the brand in the 1990s.
Chaumet was bankrupt and Breguet was purchased in 1987 by Investcorp. The company soon purchased Nouvelle Lemania to supply mechanical movements, forming Group Breguet and driving sales to 4,700 per year by 1993.
Swatch Group
On September 14, 1999 Breguet together with the Nouvelle Lemania is taken over by the Swatch Group. Today the watch production is performed in L'Abbaye in the Vallée de Joux (canton of Neuchatel).
Breguet produced "around 30,000 watches" in 2013 according to company President, Marc Hayek.
Literature
- Das ZEITGEFÜHL-Uhrenbuch; Author: Gerd-Lothar Reschke; ISBN 3-938607-61-0
Address
Montres Breguet SA
CH-1344 L'Abbaye
Tel. 021 / 841 90 90
Fax 021 / 841 90 84
See Also
- Bréguet-Bréting - Bienne case maker that originally registered the Breguet watch brand