Legendary Figures of Watchmaking: Abraham-Louis Breguet

There are some watchmakers that deserve a huge amount of credit for the innovation and talent they brought to watchmaking and Abraham-Louis Breguet is exactly that. Breguet is credited with creating the first wrist watch for Caroline Murat, the Queen of Naples, in 1810.

Born in Neuchâtel on 10 January, 1747 which was part of Prussia at the time, Breguet’s father past away early on in his life. His mother got re-married after this tragic event and Breguets new step-father was part of a watchmaking family. As time went on, Breguet took an interest to his step-fathers work and became an apprentice to Versailles master watchmaker. Unfortunately the name of this individual is unknown but the master was amazed at the ability and talent Breguet had. The master suggested Breguet attend classes which is where he met Abbe Marie, his teacher and later mentor. Marie introduced Breguet to King Louis XVI of France which was the start of Breguet gaining a clientele of royalty.

Soon after finishing his apprenticeship, Breguet got married and started his own watchmaking company. He began focusing on escapements where is worked on the Tourbillion, the automatic winding mechanism and the overcoil (raised the outer coil of the balance spring reducing wear and increasing accuracy of the part). Throughout his career, he was commissioned to create pieces for royal families in France an England and obviously by the Queen of Naples. The actual location of the watch that was created for Caroline Murat is unknown, but Breguet released the Reine de Naples collection which is a recreation of the original watch.

Following Breguets death in 1823 in Paris, France, Breguets son took over the business and continued its immense history.

Thank you Breguet for what you did for watchmaking!

Enjoy!