Breguet Acquires Two Antique Watches for a Record Price of Nearly 7 Million Swiss Francs
Nearly 7 million Swiss francs brought together two special Breguet watches and their most fitting owner, the Breguet Museum. Breguet president Mark A. Hayek acquired these two classical timepieces at Christie’s auction in Geneva, Switzerland on May 14.
These vestiges, relics of fine watchmaking history, set the record for being the most expensive ever purchased in Breguet’s history, and also the costliest Breguet antique watches ever sold at auction to date.
The first Breguet, no. 2667, was sold for over 4 million Swiss francs, an unparalleled bid. Created by Abraham Louis-Breguet himself, this thin pocket watch with two movements is based on the chronometer principle. This design was to confirm the watchmaker’s theory that two oscillating bodies in close proximity will influence each other. Dating from 1814, this exceptional piece is made in 18-carat yellow gold of timeless delicacy and elegance. Two separate dials, the first of Arabic and the second of Roman numerals, symmetrically form the watch’s face. This precious watch is not just a product of innovation; it reflects a refined aesthetic sense that transcends even centuries.
The second antique piece, no. 4111, is another rare creation of A.L-Breguet and went for more than 2.5 million Swiss francs. It is a thin, flat equation-of-time and repeater watch, also built on the chronometer principle. It repeats hours, half-hours, quarter-hours, and half-quarters. Dating from 1827, this “Grande Complication” watch features an annual calendar, a manual perpetual calendar, as well as mean and apparent solar time. Its functional perfection is further made impressive by the balance wheel, which was especially worked to make the masterpiece extremely thin yet beaming with the fascinating technical feats.
This momentous event confirms Breguet’s commitment to preserving its brand’s historic and cultural legacy. Montres Breguet is proud to announce the arrival of the most prized treasures for its museums. In this context, it can literally be said that what goes around, comes around.
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