George Daniels says from Abraham-Louis Breguet that he built an international reputation without equivalence in the history of watchmaking. He distinguished himself with his prestigious inventions, whose many are still used nowadays, starting with the tourbillon and the wristwatch. This extraordinary career brought him several distinctions: Official Horologer to the French Royal Navy, Member of the Academy of Sciences or Knight of the Legion of Honor. He passes in 1823, at the age of 76 years.
Patent of the “tourbillon regulator” (June 26th).
On June 26, 1801, Abraham-Louis Breguet patented a revolutionary mechanism that neutralized the effects of gravity providing incredible precision in mechanical timepieces. This invention was an engineering feat that cemented the illustrious watchmaker’s standing as one of the most innovative figures of all time.
During his lifetime, Abraham-Louis Breguet created 35 tourbillon watches, and fewer than 10 of them are known to survive. The Tourbillon precision pocket watch No. 1188 sold to Don Antonio de Bourbon, Infante of Spain, in 1808, is one of the most fascinating pieces in the brand’s heritage. The House of Breguet possesses two other historical Tourbillon pocket watches, No. 1176 sold by Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1809 and No. 2567 sold in 1812, along with original records listing every single historical creation.
Breguet No. 1188 tourbillon chronometer.