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Timeline

1799 - Tact watch

Tact watch

Production of the first “touch (à tact) watch”.

Breguet equipped these watches with mechanisms that enable their wearers to tell the time by touch alone. A pointer on the outside of the case mirrors the position of the hour hand of the watch. By feeling the position of the pointer, the wearer can deduce the time from its position in relation to studs aligned with the hours. Available for purchase starting in 1799, the touch (à tact) watch (sometimes known as the "watch for the blind") lent itself to a great wealth and variety of embellishment, including enamel, pearls, and diamonds. With a few exceptions, the touch system was confined (for obvious reasons) to simple, nonstriking watches.

Small (médaillon) touch (à tact) watch No. 611 sold in February 18,1800, to Mrs. Bonaparte, later Empress Josephine.   

 

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