The fascinating history of Breguet’s most expensive watches

A good watch is a timeless luxury. It represents elegance, taste and class, while also harking back to a bygone era. The best watches offer a link to the past, while maintaining unparalleled accuracy, functionality and design. So it is no wonder that some of the most expensive watches of all time are vintage pieces by the legendary French watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet. Breguet established his luxury watchmaking company in 1775, at a time when time-keeping technology was still being finessed. He was known as one of the greatest minds of his time, famed for creating the first wristwatch (in 1810), and pioneering the tourbillon. His watches have been worn by kings and explorers; athletes and rock stars, and they still number among the most expensive and exclusive timepieces in the world. However, it is the company’s earliest models which still fetch the highest price. Here are just three of the most iconic Breguet pieces which typify the brand’s craftsmanship, history and prestige.

Watch no. 160 AKA ‘The Marie-Antoinette’

MarieAntoinette Queen Marie-Antoinette of France was known for her keen sense of style and all things opulent. She was one of Breguet’s most famous fans, and owned a number of his earliest timepieces. In 1783, she commissioned a watch which would incorporate every single function and refinement that existed to that date. It would be the most modern and decadent watch in the entire world…but the queen never got to see it. She was executed in 1793, 34 years before the watch was finally finished. Out of loyalty to the late queen, Abraham-Louis Breguet kept the watch and passed it down from generation to generation until it was eventually donated to a museum in Jerusalem. However, in 1983 it was stolen, never to be seen again. In 2005, Montres Breguet commissioned an exact replica to be made. The new “Marie-Antoinette” number 1160 was unveiled at Baselworld 2008, and is made up of 832 unique pieces, and includes a double parachute anti-shock device, a minute repeater, a reserve indicator, a bimetallic thermometer and a perpetual calendar.

Price: At least $10 million, although it is not for sale.

The Breguet Antique Number 2667 and the Breguet Grande Complication Antique Number 4111

breguetgrandcomplication These two timepieces must be considered as a pair, as together they tell the story of Abraham-Louis Breguet’s obsession with design and accuracy. In 1817, he began to wonder what would happen if he placed two oscillating bodies (i.e. two moving timepieces) in close proximity to each other. He created the ‘2667’ to (successfully) test his theory that the two bodies could influence each other. In 1827, he released the ‘4111’ – an updated version of the ‘2667’ which also featured a perpetual calendar as well as mean and solar time. This pocket watch was extremely thin, showing Breguet’s expertise when it came to combining technology and design.

Price: $4.42 million and $2.56 million, respectively.

Breguet Grande Complication Classique Number 5349

breguetdiamond One of the most sophisticated wristwatches in the world – the Breguet Grande Complication Classique Number 5349 is protected by three separate patents due to its “superior precision and technological mastery”. As well as the impressive rotating double tourbillon, the watch face is studded with pave diamonds, while baguette diamonds line the platinum case. Although a number of these watches are in circulation, they are highly prized by collectors and almost never appear on the market. Montres Breguet has been known to create bespoke versions for private customers, on demand.

Price: $755,000 – if you can find one.

We are fortunate enough to stock Breguet watches, and although these three may be slightly out of reach, we are able to source these stunning timepieces from all over the globe. Go to watches for sale to see our available watches or contact us if you are interested in purchasing a Breguet watch.