Classique Chronométrie 7727 is a tribute to Abraham-Louis Breguet’s indomitable pioneering spirit of innovation. His portfolio of inventions, to name a few, includes the Souscription watch design and the complex mechanism design for the tourbillon. Viewing the Breguet Classique Chronométrie 7727 it is understandable why Breguet thrives to promote their founders legacy in each of its watch designs. President and CEO Marc A. Hayek supports and cultivates investments in research and development of new technologies and materials, which Breguet successfully filed for over 100 patents in the past 10 years for its for chronometry and acoustic regulators.

Classique Chronométrie 7727 represents Breguet continued quest to accurately measure time. The watch is set in rose gold and exhibits Breguet’s latest innovation. The watch oscillates at a frequency of 10 Hz, a first time milestone for a non-chronograph watch considering the frequency was purposed for precision and stability of a conventional mechanical watch. Increasing the frequency and power of the mechanical oscillation improves the timekeeping performance of the balance and spring.

Classique Chronométrie 7727 regulating power is approximately 800 microwatts; most watches have less than 200 microwatts for chronometer performance. Breguet’s silicon mastery enables this high frequency to be achieved with a conventional balance-spring. Since silicon components are easily manufactured for high precision, they are also exceptionally lightweight and non-magnetic. Therefore the watch is equipped with balance-spring, pallet lever and escape-wheel in silicon; and the mainspring barrel of the watch keeps the watch operational for 60 hours.

Classique Chronométrie 7727 aesthetic features include a 41 mm diameter 18-carat gold case with fine ridges on the caseband, a sapphire-crystal case-back with welded lugs. The dial is 18-carat silvered gold, the engine-turned by hand in six different patterns. Individually signed Breguet and numbered. It has an off centered chapter ring with noble Roman numerals. The power-reserve indicator is at 5 o’clock, small seconds at 12 o’clock, and the silicon indicator tenths-of a-second hand is at 1o’clock with “open-moon” Breguet hands in polished steel.

The movement of this watch is hand-wound numbered and signed Breguet Calibre 574 DR, 14 lignes, 45 jewels, with a leather wrist strap.

Classique Chronométrie 7727 is an iconic testament of Breguet’s commitment to harmonize science and innovation in the development and designs of its timepieces. Abraham-Louis Breguet spirit of perfection lives on in Breguet timepieces.

Tradition 7047BR Tourbillon Fusee is from Breguet trademark “Tradition” collection and is inspired by its founder Abraham-Louis Breguet 1796 invention of its Souscription watch design. Breguet Tradition 7047BR Tourbillon Fusee is a traditionally inspired timepiece that exhibits classically refined elegance and artistic design.

This timepiece is a technical concerto orchestrating its beautiful handcrafted composition with three visible distinctive movements for which Breguet obtained four patents for its rivaled operating system. It is as the French so often say, “C’est tres magnifique,” translated “It’s very magnificent!”

Breguet Tradition 7047BR Tourbillon Fusee joins its existing collection members in yellow gold and platinum. It features a visible tourbillon and showcases its fusee and chain transmission, along with Breguets’ signature silicon balance spring which was first introduced in its watches in 2006.

Technical Attributes include:

• 41 mm diameter case in 18k rose gold with a fine ridged caseband
• Beautiful sapphire crystal case-back with rounded lugs welded to the case and screw-secured spring bars
• Water resistant to a depth of 30 meter
• Dials are available in black-coated or platinum-coated engine-turned in 18k gold or platinum with noble Roman numerals and Breguets’ signature polished steel moon-tip hands
• The 60-second tourbillon is displayed at 1 o’clock
• Available in brown or black alligator wrist straps
• The movement is exclusively numbered and signed Breguet Calibre 569 with 16 lignes, 43 jewels and anthracite coated hand-wound tourbillon
• It has an impressive 50-hour power reserve with indicator on the barrel drum
• The fusee-and-chain transmission ensures constant torque throughout the operation of the watch
• Titanium upper bridge of the tourbillon carriage
• Straight-line Swiss lever escapement
• Breguet titanium balance with four gold adjustment screws

These are just a few of the very impressive features and design attributes of this luxurious timepiece composition that Breguet has meticulously orchestrated in its Tradition 7047BR Tourbillon Fusee watch.

Breguet unveiled the Tradition 7047BR Tourbillon Fusee 18k rose gold watch at BaselWorld 2012. Breguet has also re-editioned the rose gold version of its Tradition 7047PT which also features a Breguet balance spring, along with a new black galvanic-coated and engine-turned 18-carat gold dial.

Breguet Tradition 7047BR Tourbillon Fusee bares itself to the haute horlogerie industry exposing its heart and soul playing out not only the notes of time but its divinely composed concerto of visual technical brilliance and Breguets’ ability to transcend artistic timepiece development and design – Brava Breguet, Brava!

Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, first wristwatch owner

As far as horological history can tell us the first record of a wristwatch was ordered by Napoleon Bonaparte’s sister, Caroline Murat in 1810. At the time, Murat sat on the throne as the Queen of Naples, and was a well-known admirer of the timepieces made by Breguet founder, Abraham-Louis Breguet. Yes, Breguet can say they made the first wristwatch for a queen. Queen Caroline’s wristwatch took two years to make and safely deliver, and was only one of the many she ordered from Breguet over the years.

Though the famous first wristwatch has never been found in any public or private collection, the little that is known of it is that the model number was N° 2639.

Nevertheless, Queen Caroline’s special relationship as the favorite customer of Breguet during this time produced something revolutionary. The watch as we know it was a very thin (for the time) repeating watch, had an oblong feminine shape, was set with a thermometer and used  hair intertwined with gold thread to create the strap. The concept must have certainly been innovative and fascinating for the time. As Queen Caroline was known to history as extravagant and ambitious, it is no surprise that she would dream up an ostentatious new watch to be paraded on her wrist at court.

A Reine de Naples watch, inspired by the first wristwatch

The event in Geneva was also used by Breguet to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the more modern Reine de Naples ladies’ watch collection. The public re-discovery of the Reine de Naples collection also allowed for many experts in the horological field to offer their expertise on the Breguet line. These women’s watches are very much reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, with their exaggerated and surreal numbers spinning around the watch’s face. Breguet’s official website states that the line was inspired by Queen Caroline’s first wristwatch, as well as others made for Marie Antoinnette and Empress Josephine. The collection was designed to create a symbol of feminine refinement and precision.

The Swatch Group, home to such esteemed brands as Breguet, Blancpain, Tissot, Omega and Tourbillon, had a record year in 2011, posting a sales increase of 21.7 percent and an operating profit of 12.4 percent over the pervious year. Even while European economic turmoil and exchange rates had negative effects on the ultimate bottom line, the watches and jewelry sector still showed a gain of approximately $1.5 billion. According to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, “The group’s leading brands recorded very impressive rates of growth not only in the enlarged China, but also in all other regions and in all price segments. Despite the unfavourable economic situation, the Swatch Group maintained its consistent policy of renouncing short-term price increases, preferring to focus on gains in market share.” Stepping up marketing efforts within the watches and jewelry sector, instead of raising prices, the Swatch Group saw its operating profit grow by 8.4 percent.

LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA reported sales growth of 16 percent last year, with an operating profit increase of 22 percent and a net profit of $4.12 billion. The watches and jewelry group within LVMH recorded astounding increases of 98 percent in sales and 107 percent in operating profits. (Equating to +23 percent and 41 percent based on comparable structures.) Dedicated consumers in the Western Hemisphere responded well to marketing and innovative additions, while growth in Asian markets added to the LVMH global marketplace. Tag Heuer successfully launched the Mikrograph and Mikrotimer; Hublot introduced a popular new Masterpieces collection; Zenith and Bulgari brought back some well-loved classics.

Tag Heuer Mikrograoh (right) and Mikrotimer (left)

Hublot Masterpiece #1 (on left) and #2 (on right)

Richemont, the Swiss luxury holding company that boasts subsidiaries such as Baume et Mercier, Cartier, Piaget and Montblanc, increased its sales by 33 percent and gross profit by 38 percent – a gain of approximately $1.6 billion. Operating profit grew by nearly double that amount – 63 percent. The highest sales growth occurred in the Asia-Pacific region, at 48 percent (or, by $3.67 billion) and sales in Japan were up by 18 percent. “We will continue to invest in their organic growth through higher levels of capital spending in manufacturing capacity and in the further development of the group’s own retail network,” said Richemont CEO, Johann Rupert. “Particularly in growth markets.” To that end, the company grew its freestanding boutique stores to a total of 876 last year – primarily in growing Asian markets.

While the Asian continent currently represents the largest growth market for the industry, Australia, South America and Africa have also been the focus of luxury brand marketing efforts. Tag Heuer, an LVMH brand that began opening North American retail boutiques only last year, has established stores in Australia, South Africa as well as across the Middle East and India. They have a retail location in Argentina and a customer service location in Chile also, catering to a small but dedicated (and growing) clientele in those regions.

Map of Tag Heuer Brand Boutiques Worldwide

It would certainly seem that a truly global reach is the safest buffer against increasingly unpredictable western markets. But it probably doesn’t hurt to be well known and widely respected for beautiful and high quality products either.

Holmbrook Limited, a company based in Dublin, has found itself in legal battles brought by the brands Longines Watch Co., Rado Uhren and now Tissot AG for hijacking Russian (.ru) domain names that the watchmakers believe are rightfully theirs.

In earlier proceedings, the Moscow Commerical Court sided with Longines and Rado, prohibiting Holmrook from using the domain names and awarding the claimants modest monetary damages, but Tissot has not been as successful. On December 6, 2011, the court ruled against the company, stating that Holmrook was neither the owner of the tissot.ru domain name, nor its administrator. Apparently, Holmrook had given the name and well as administration rights to an individual named Nikolai Mikhailyukov free of charge. Mikhailyukov has been using the site to post information about the French painter, James Jacques Joseph Tissot.

Tissot AG claims that the site was not dedicated to the painter until after charges had already been filed.

Why Holmrook is targeting Swiss watchmakers is unclear; what the company even does is hard to pin down with a simple Google search. Holmrook Limited has no website, no Wikipedia page and no presence within social media. In fact, the bulk of its public activity seems to be defending itself in court against angry Swiss watchmakers.

Steve Levy, a writer for The Fair Winds Blog: DomainStrategy.com, has a theory. “It would seem Holmrook’s main function is investing in domain names (some may call it cybersquatting instead of investing), and I view the use of content relating to the artist James Tissot to be a clever ruse which was specifically intended to avoid enforcement. It would be like someone registering apple.ru and posting pictures of fruit but with the real intention of waiting for the famous computer/mobile device company to seek out the owner and offer them a huge sum to buy the domain.”

On his website, Levy makes the comment that these problems tend to abound in Russian web spaces, due to “lax copyright enforcement and a rampant counterfeiting industry.” His suggestion to businesses is to register any important trademarks in the .ru domain quickly, before cybersquatters do.

An appeal by Tissot was scheduled for Feb. 8, 2012 before the Russian Ninth Commercial Court of Appeals. And it’s a good bet that Omega, Union Glashütte, Breguet, Tourbillon, Calvin Klein and other Swatch Group companies are registering .ru domain names as quickly as possible.

Breguet's first edition of Le Quai De L'Horloge

This magazine’s main focus revolves around the brand’s philosophy, its amazing heritage, the precise expertise, the cultural perspective, its unique products, the brand’s high ranking partnerships, as well as its impressive aesthetics and technical innovation. Within this publication one will discover historical facts about the first wristwatch to ever be made for the Queen of Naples in 1812. One can read interesting details on the extraordinary life of Abraham-Louis Breguet. One can also get the latest gossip on the newest wristwatch creations, as well as the latest technology secrets from Breguet.

Breguet offers this magazine to a wide portion of the world. It’s available in eight languages, Spanish, English, French, Italian, Japanese, Russian, German and simplified Chinese. The magazine was named after a road in Paris that was named Le Quai De L’Horloge and is also known to be the location of the first Breguet watchmaking company. The road was named Le Quai De L’Horloge because of the vicinity of the clock of the Palais de Justice.

Since Breguet is one of the finest luxury watchmakers in the world, this magazine doesn’t appeal to just the Breguet followers, it attracts luxury watch lovers all around the world. People who respect the Breguet brand are very excited about this publication and can’t wait to get their hands on a fresh copy.

Breguet was founded by A.L. Breguet (1747-1823) who happens to be known as one of the fathers of time. The brand has been a part of the Swatch Group since 1999 and continues to make technological success as we go into 2012. Breguet is certainly number one when it comes to luxury watchmaking. Breguet expects the publication of Le Quai De L’Horloge to be a hit amongst its buyers.

Breguet celebrates the 200th anniversary of the wristwatch

Written by: Vanessa Formato

There is much more to watches than beauty and precision. Little do some consumers know, wristwatches have a long and interesting history, one that the big players in the luxury timepiece world enjoy celebrating. From January 16 to February 12, 2012, Breguet will be commemorating the 200th anniversary of the wristwatch in time to coincide with the annual Salon Internacional de la Haute Horologie (SIHH).

For just under one month, Breguet will be holding an exhibition in Geneva’s Cité du Temps to celebrate the anniversary, one that is very close to the company’s heart.

In 1810, Caroline Murat, the Queen of Naples and Napoleon’s sister, ordered a custom timepiece from Abraham-Louis Berguet. A.-L. Berguet had been a renowned watchmaker for some time and Murat had admired his work. It took two years for the piece to be completed and delivered, and in those two years Breguet unknowingly changed the watch business. The watch he gave to Murat would be the world’s first wristwatch, a functional piece of jewelry that, even today in the age of cell phones, many people cannot imagine living without.

Breguet was also a favorite in the court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Today, the brand continues to produce watches for people that enjoy the most luxurious aspects of life.

The dates of the Breguet exhibition coincide with the SIHH, one of the most prestigious events in the watchmaking industry. The event usually includes brands premiering new collections and opportunities for members of the community to network with one another. It is invitation only. Breguet’s event will surely be one that the SIHH participants– which include well-known fine watch brands such as Audemars Piguet, Cartier and Panerai– will not want to miss. Though the story of the wristwatch is uniquely important to Breguet, it is also the story behind every wristwatch no matter the brand.

Breguet will also be “immortali[zing] the [tenth] anniversary of its stellar Reine de Naples ladies’ watch connection.” It is quite fitting that Breguet will be taking the opportunity to recognize their more modern achievements at this time. Looking back upon the successes of the past would ring hollow without a future to look forward to, and Breguet has, with hard work and a beautiful aesthetic, created a brand that is sure to continue being a large part of the history and mythology of horology.

Parisian luxury watchmaker Breguet was established in 1775 by Abraham-Louis Breguet. The Breguet company is one of the eldest watch making institutions who are still in business and also pioneered numerous advances in the production of watches. The most notable technology invented by Breguet is the tourbillon which is an addition to the mechanics of a watch escapement.

Historically, Breguet garnered attention and praise by royalty such as Queen Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI; although countless distinguished individuals donned a Breguet timepiece in their time. Louis XVI was known to commission the watchmaker to create several timepieces. According to historical legend, a secret admirer of Marie Antoinette commissioned Breguet to make a timepiece with every possible watch function available at the time to be created for her.

Unfortunately, the piece was finished 34 years after Marie Antoinette passed on thus the piece was never presented to her.  The piece did go on to become Breguet’s magnum opus, the Marie Antoinette; however, Breguet was not partial to Marie Antoinette. The Queen of Naples Caroline Murat was also a “preferred customer” of Breguet.

Marie Antoinette and the famed Grande Complication pocket watch she never got to see

Breguet was acquired by the Swatch Group in 1976 and their timepieces are now made in Vallée de Joux, Switzerland as a result. The acquisition did not change Breguet’s trailblazing yet classic timepieces. They continued to create classic watches with both modern and vintage looks along with their innovative watch making technology.

Notably, in January 2012 Breguet is honoring the Queen of Naples with an exposition convened in Geneva’s Cité du Temps as well as the 200^th anniversary of their first wristwatch. The exhibit will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the creation of the first wristwatch in horological history along with the 10^th anniversary of their Reine de Naples ladies’ watch collection which is in honor of Caroline Murat, the Queen of Naples.

The Breguet Reine de Naples watch

The Reine de Naples watch collection is an assortment of fashionale women’s watches that emulate the design of the first watch made for a queen, namely the Queen of Naples. The timepiece can be considered wearable art with its oval shape, subtle yet enchanting details, and various dials and accents. One can truly envision these pieces being worn by royalty and can appreciate all of the workmanship that went into creating each part of the watch.

The Breguet exhibition which will be running January 16^th-February 12^th, 2012, is said to coincide with the SIHH, the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, which is an exclusive fine watch event held in Geneva, Switzerland.