Sotheby’s Announces the Largest Auction to Celebrate Breguet’s 250th Anniversary

Meantime in matutinal dress

  And hat surnamed a “Bolivar”

  He hies unto the “Boulevard,”

  To loiter there in idleness

  Until the sleepless Bréguet chime

  Announcing to him dinner-time.

Eugene Onéguine by Alexander Pushkin

Sotheby’s Announces the largest auction dedicated to Breguet timepieces in over 30 years to celebrate Breguet’s 250th anniversary, and including some of Breguet’s most famous watches such as the 1827 Perpétuelle à Tact Watch with date, power reserve and up-and-down indication made for King George IV, and rare timepieces from a branch of the Breguet family.  

This November, Sotheby’s will pay tribute to the phenomenal legacy of Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747 – 1823), the most important and influential watchmaker in the history of horology, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the foundation of Breguet in Paris in 1775. This remarkable event, the largest auction of Breguet timepieces in over three decades, will showcase some of the brand’s most exceptional creations. It will highlight Abraham-Louis Breguet’s unparalleled expertise in watchmaking, his groundbreaking innovations, and his visionary imagination. Curated in collaboration with Montres Breguet SA and Mr. Emmanuel Breguet, Vice President, Head of Patrimony and descendant of founder Abraham-Louis Breguet, the auction will highlight key chapters of the brand’s long and illustrious history, offering a selection of pocket watches, wristwatches, and clocks. The sale will take place during Sotheby’s Luxury Sales in Geneva, alongside the bi-annual flagship Important Watches live auction.

Abraham-Louis Breguet revolutionized watchmaking by solving long-standing technical challenges and introducing several critical innovations, known as watch complications. His pioneering developments, such as the tourbillon and the automatic winding mechanism, are still widely used and have a lasting influence on contemporary watchmaking. Known as the "Father of Modern Watchmaking" and the "Watchmaker of Kings and the King of Watchmakers," Breguet attracted a distinguished clientele eager for his mechanical masterpieces, which often took months or even years to complete. Among his most notable patrons was Queen Marie-Antoinette, who commissioned several timepieces from him. Breguet quickly became the preferred watchmaker for Europe’s royalty and elite, including Napoleon Bonaparte, King George III, the English Royal Family, and the Tsar of Russia. All sought to acquire the finest watches available. The brand's reputation for exceptional craftsmanship has endured throughout its history.  

“Given our distinguished and unparalleled history of bringing Breguet timepieces to auction, it is our honor and privilege to curate a special sale in celebration of the brand’s 250th anniversary. Abraham-Louis Breguet is perhaps the greatest watchmaker of them all – he profoundly influenced the course of horological history and laid the foundations of contemporary watchmaking. We are delighted to be working with Montres Breguet SA on this sale to ensure this commemorative auction is a fitting tribute to Abraham-Louis Breguet’s extraordinary legacy.” Said Daryn Schnipper, Chairman Emeritus, Sotheby’s Watches.

“As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we are honoring the creative genius of Abraham-Louis Breguet and his many inventions. These historic timepieces, each holding a unique story, are now ready to continue their journey. This auction is not just a moment of transition but a heartfelt celebration of our shared passion for the art of watchmaking and, more specifically, the art of Breguet - a timeless legacy of innovation and elegance. We are deeply grateful to Sotheby’s for their expertise in organizing this exceptional auction.” Said Gregory Kissling, Breguet’s Chief Executive Officer.

One of the main highlights of the sale is the perpétuelle à tact watch, completed in 1827, which features a date, power reserve, and up-and-down indication. This extraordinary timepiece was made for and owned by King George IV of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, as well as King of Hanover, and it bears the King's monogram on the case back. Additional highlights include a magnificent open-faced Breguet montre à tact with calendar and moon-phases, which served as the inspiration for the reference 3330. The sale will also feature an important pendulette with alarm, perpetual calendar, and repeater, along with a two-color gold open-faced tourbillon watch.  

More details about the sale will be announced in late spring.

To consign Breguet timepieces, please visit sothebys.com/breguet250

Courtesy: Sotheby's

Text: AN