Sotheby’s announces the largest auction dedicated to Breguet timepieces in over 30 years
Zach Blass- Breguet is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year, founded in Paris in 1775.
- In honour of the anniversary, Sotheby’s will host the largest Breguet-dedicated auction in over 30 years.
- More details to come in Spring, but the auction already remarkably includes the 1827 Perpétuelle à Tact Watch made for King George IV.
Breguet is such a historic watch brand, undeniably the crown jewel of Swatch Group’s portfolio. After all, Breguet is known as the “Watchmaker of Kings and the King of Watchmakers” who created timepieces for notable figures and royalty such as Queen Marie-Antoinette, Napoleon Bonaparte, King George III and the English Royal Family, and the Tsar of Russia among many others. The manufacture, founded in 1775, is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year, and befitting of a 250th birthday, Breguet and Sotheby’s are teaming up to host the largest Breguet-dedicated auction in over 30 years.
“As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we are honouring the creative genius of Abraham-Louis Breguet and his many inventions. These historic timepieces, each holding a unique story, are now ready to continue their journey,” said Gregory Kissling, Breguet’s Chief Executive Officer. “This auction is not just a moment of transition but a heartfelt celebration of our shared passion for the art of watchmaking and, more specifically, the art of Breguet – a timeless legacy of innovation and elegance. We are deeply grateful to Sotheby’s for their expertise in organising this exceptional auction.”
It will be interesting to see which wristwatches, pocket watches, and clocks Sotheby’s, Montres Breguet, and Emmanuel Breguet (Vice President, Head of Patrimony and descendant of the founder) curate for the November auction to be held in Geneva. The sole timepiece disclosed the moment news broke is the incredible pocket watch made for King George IV of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, as well as King of Hanover, distinguished with the King’s monogram on the caseback. Despite being made nearly 200 years ago in 1827, it is incredible how much Breguet’s modern creations still reflect the Breguet signatures of the past: the font used on the running seconds chapter ring and date window, the style of the power reserve indicator, the Breguet handset, the true guilloché dial, and the style of the Breguet nameplate. All of these elements, in near-identical form, can be seen on Breguet watches within the current catalogue.
No estimate has been set yet for the 1827 Perpétuelle à Tact, but I suspect it will fetch a rather high sum – one befitting of such a historical creation. The only thing I am certain of is that I have no plans to offer up my Classique Perpetual Calendar 3057 for sale at the auction. It was one of my most worn watches of 2024, and I plan on wearing it for many, many years to come.