Watchatlas

Breguet

L'Abbaye, Switzerland · Est. 1775

Founded by Abraham-Louis Breguet

Founded in Paris in 1775 by Abraham-Louis Breguet, widely considered the greatest watchmaker in history, Breguet invented or developed the tourbillon, the self-winding mechanism, and the shock-setting for balance springs. Now part of the Swatch Group, the maison produces watches in its Paris and Le Sentier ateliers drawing on over 250 years of horological heritage.

Founded
1775
Headquarters
L'Abbaye, Switzerland
Group
Swatch Group
Price Segment
Ultra
Status
Active

Key Collections

  • Classique (1775) — Breguet Classique is the maison's distilled voice: fluted cases, Breguet numerals, open-tipped hands, guilloche and enamel, from serene time-only pieces to high complications. Key references: 2025BH/28/9W6, 7235BH/0H/9V6, 7225BH/0H/9V6, 5177BB/29/9V6.
  • Marine (1990) — Breguet's Marine is the maison's nautical luxury-sport line, combining classical finishing with stronger cases, travel complications, chronographs, and a maritime visual language. Key references: Marine 5517, Marine Chronographe 5527, Marine Tourbillon 5577, Marine Hora Mundi 5555.
  • Tradition (2005) — Breguet's Tradition is the maison's most architectural family, exposing the movement on the dial side while echoing historic subscription and tact watch ideas. Key references: Tradition 7037, Tradition 7038, Tradition Tourbillon 7047, Tradition Seconde Retrograde 7097.
  • Type XX (1952) — Breguet's Type XX is a disciplined aviation chronograph line, rooted in French military specifications and now sharpened into a contemporary civilian and military family with real collector weight. Key references: 2057ST/92/3WU, 2067ST/92/3WU, 2067RK/Y9/9WU, 2075BH/99/398.

Timeline

  • 1775 — Founded by Abraham-Louis Breguet at Quai de l'Horloge, Paris
  • 1780 — Invented the Perpétuelle, the first self-winding watch
  • 1801 — Patented the tourbillon complication
  • 1810 — Created the first wristwatch (No. 2639) for Caroline Bonaparte, Queen of Naples
  • 1815 — Appointed horloger de la Marine Royale (Royal Navy watchmaker)
  • 1999 — Acquired by the Swatch Group under Nicolas G. Hayek
  • 2020 — Celebrated 245 years with new Tradition and Marine releases
  • 2025 — Celebrated 250th anniversary. Classique Souscription 2025 won the Aiguille d Or at GPHG 2025. Launched Experimentale 1 with world first 10 Hz tourbillon.
  • 2026 — Reinvented Tradition collection with Grand Feu enamel dials, Arabic numerals, and retrograde seconds across new references.

Frequently Asked Questions about Breguet

What did Abraham-Louis Breguet invent?
Breguet invented the tourbillon (1801), the first self-winding watch (1780), the first wristwatch (1810), and pioneered the overcoil hairspring, shock protection, and guilloché dials.
Who owns Breguet today?
Breguet has been part of the Swatch Group since 1999.
What are Breguet hands?
Breguet hands are a distinctive design with open-tipped moon shapes near the ends, invented by Abraham-Louis Breguet and now widely used across the industry.

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