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1790 - Pare-chute

Pare-chute

Invention of the “pare-chute” anti-shock device, to reach its final form 1806.

The shock protection system known as the pare-chute is one of Breguet’s most celebrated inventions. Observing that when watches suffered a blow, the fine pivots of the balance suffered most, Breguet decided to shape the pivots like cones and secure them in position by means of little dishes echoing this shape, that were mounted on a strip spring. The system reached the experimental stage around 1790. Breguet gave a public demonstration of it in Talleyrand's presence by throwing a watch on the floor and retrieving it undamaged. Soon he was fitting all his watches with the system, which he presented in its final version at the Expostion national of 1806. Also known as elastic suspension of the balance, Breguet's pare-chute was the forerunner of today's Incabloc and all other methods of shock protection.

Simple watch, Breguet no. 5084, sold on 17 December 1833 to Mr Greenfield.

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