In the world of luxury watches, certain names tend to steal the spotlight - Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet. Their watches show up on red carpets, the wrists of celebrities, and across countless Instagram feeds. But quietly standing apart from the noise is a brand with a heritage that arguably outshines them all: Breguet.
Despite its unmatched legacy, Breguet flies under the radar in today’s watch culture. And for many collectors, that’s exactly what makes it special. For everyone else, it’s a brand worth rediscovering - one built on centuries of craftsmanship, innovation, and timeless design.
Breguet was founded way back in 1775 by Abraham-Louis Breguet - making it even older than the United States. While being around for centuries doesn’t automatically mean a brand is great, Breguet’s impact on watchmaking speaks for itself.
Abraham-Louis Breguet was truly a pioneer. In 1801, he invented the tourbillon, a clever mechanism that helps watches keep more accurate time by offsetting the effects of gravity. This invention is still considered a benchmark in fine watchmaking today. He also created other key innovations like the Breguet balance spring, the perpetual calendar, and even what’s considered the very first wristwatch, made in 1812 for the Queen of Naples.
Put simply: modern mechanical watches as we know them wouldn’t be the same without Breguet.
In a market where some brands highlight luxury through bold designs—sparkling diamond bezels, striking aesthetics, and high-profile endorsements - Breguet takes a different approach. Their watches are elegant, refined, and showcase classic craftsmanship with a timeless appeal.
Key design features include:
Breguet’s client list is the stuff of legend. Napoleon Bonaparte, Marie Antoinette, Winston Churchill, and Tsar Alexander I all owned Breguet watches. One of the brand’s most famous pieces - the Marie Antoinette pocket watch No. 160 - was commissioned by an admirer and took over 40 years to complete. It featured every complication known to man at the time.
Even in more recent decades, Queen Elizabeth II was known to wear a Breguet Reine de Naples.
When you wear a Breguet, you’re joining a legacy that spans kings, queens, and pioneers—not just modern influencers.
Modern Breguet is owned by the Swatch Group, and operates as one of its crown jewels alongside Blancpain and Omega. But make no mistake - Breguet still builds its watches with uncompromising traditionalism.
Movements are beautifully decorated, often visible through sapphire casebacks, and many still feature hand-finished touches like Côtes de Genève, perlage, and black-polished screws. Their in-house calibres are robust and innovative, with many featuring silicon components for improved anti-magnetism and accuracy.
Watches like the Breguet Tradition 7097 put the movement on full display, with architecture that celebrates the mechanical artistry behind timekeeping.
So if Breguet is historically important, aesthetically refined, and technically impressive - why isn’t it more visible in the luxury watch conversation?
Several reasons:
Breguet stays true to its legacy while embracing modern design. The Marine collection offers sportier, water-resistant watches with classic Breguet touches, and the Reine de Naples remains a top pick for luxury women’s timepieces.
Collectors are taking notice, especially vintage models from the 1980s and ’90s when Daniel Roth revived the brand with a fresh yet timeless approach. These watches are now prized finds.
Is now the time to buy? Breguet offers excellent value - superior craftsmanship, rich history, and limited production. While a £15,000 Breguet Classique may not have Rolex’s immediate fame, it delivers more horological depth and strong long-term potential.
For those seeking something beyond the mainstream, Breguet is a rare chance to own true watchmaking heritage.
In a market increasingly obsessed with hype, waitlists, and resale value, Breguet is a breath of fresh air. It’s a brand built on legacy, artistry, and quiet confidence - never desperate for attention, always deserving of it.
So the next time you're thinking of expanding your collection or making that first serious watch purchase, ask yourself: Why follow the crowd, when you can wear the watch that helped create the very idea of luxury timekeeping?
Don’t forget Breguet. You’ll be in excellent company.
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