The watchmaking House definitively leaves the hands of the Breguet family in 1870, a couple of months before the Franco-German war and the fall of the Second French Empire. This political instability has a direct effect on the Parisian business and Breguet is disheartened to observe sales falling. We have to wait until 1900-1914 and the Belle Epoque to reverse this downturn and to see again an evolution of the demand.
Breguet patents a watch without hands, employing a rotating dial and jumping hours visible in a window. The years between the two world wars saw an impressive diversification in the firm’s production. While participating in the wristwatch boom, the house also boldly introduced surprising creations, including watches with square cases and Cubist numerals, sometimes set with precious stones; pocket watches and wristwatches without hands with jumping hours and a rotating dial; tonneau-shaped watches; and Art Deco clocks, sometimes featuring geometrical enameled motifs. All these models turned their backs on the usual style of the house while rubbing shoulders with timepieces embodying its long traditions.
Breguet watch no.2072, without hands, revolving dial and jumping hours. Sold on 3 September 1929 to Mrs Kramer.
