Breguet et Fils Paris Abraham-Louis Breguet One of the worlds most celebrated watchmakers, Abraham-Louis Breguet was born in Neuchatel Switzerland on January 10, 1747. He was perhaps the greatest horologist of all times in terms of design, elegance, and innovation. He is reponsible for the development of the tourbillon, the perpetual calendar, the shock-proof parachute suspension, the isochronal overcoil,, adn many other improvements. Abraham-Louis Breguet died on the 17th day of September, 1823. It is difficult to include him in this section becuase of the complexity surrounding identification of his work which was frequently fored, and the fact that so many pieces produced by his shop were unique. Suffice it to say that the vast majority of watches one encounters bearing his name were either marketed only by his firm or are outright fakesmade by others for the export market. Much study is required for proper identification. The first Souscription watch was soldl in 1796. The Breguet firm continues today with the tradition started by Abraham-Louis. At first in the hands of his immediate successors and now under the guidance of the "Swatch Group".
A short list of Terms Used by Breguet
A'tact = Time by touch
A'toc = Dumb repeater
Parachute = Shock protection
Pull-Twist Piston = A plunger in the pendant first pull out & then twisted to engage lever to repeat
Jump Hour Hand = Hour hand used a 12 tooth star to jump forward the hour hand
Souscription = Made by subscription or agreement
Slotted Teeth = Slots drilled in the escapement wheel teeth to assist with oil retention
Breguet Balance Spring = Over coiled balance spring
A Pomme = Breguet fanmous hands
Production Totals
* The year a watch was sold may differ from the year it was produced.
Date Serial #
1795 250
1800 500
1805 1,500
1810 2,000
1815 2,700
1820 3,500
1825 4,000
1830 4,500