Long before giving its name to a collection, the Marine held a special place in Breguet’s history. At a time when knowing the exact time made it possible to determine longitude at sea, chronometry became an essential instrument for navigation. Abraham-Louis Breguet took an early interest in this discipline, in which regularity, resistance and precision had to be maintained despite the movement of the ship and variations in temperature.
Watchmaker to the Royal Navy
In 1814, Abraham-Louis Breguet was appointed a member of the Bureau des Longitudes, a scientific institution notably responsible for issues related to determining longitude at sea. On 27 October 1815, Louis XVIII awarded him the title of Watchmaker to the Royal Navy, one of the most prestigious distinctions to which a watchmaker could then aspire. Breguet became a supplier to the Navy and developed instruments meeting the specific demands of navigation. Between 1815 and 1823, the year of the founder’s passing, the Maison delivered 78 marine watches and clocks.
Time on board
A marine chronometer must maintain a rate as regular as possible over several months. Compared with the local time observed at sea, the time kept on board then enables the navigator to determine his longitude. To meet these constraints, Breguet developed high-precision movements protected in cylindrical cases, themselves installed in boxes equipped with gimbal suspension. The mechanism thus remains stabilised despite the movements of the ship.
From marine chronometry to the Marine collection
The link between Breguet and navigation continued long after the passing of its founder. Throughout the 19th century and into the 20th century, the Maison continued to supply instruments intended for the Navy. Today, the Marine collection translates this history into a contemporary expression of Breguet watchmaking, combining precision, robustness and complications.
Why the Marine?
From the Bureau des Longitudes to major maritime expeditions, Breguet’s history at sea spans more than two centuries. Archives, historic chronometers and testimonies make it possible to trace its origins and understand its demands.
