Swiss Watches in comparison with smartphones
In a world oversaturated with smartphones, a classic timepiece sets one apart. Swiss watches have long been synonymous with luxury and high quality precision, and the house of Breguet stands out as a historically admired watchmaker. Breguet watches come from a long tradition in luxury watchmaking. Breguet watches are so admired that they have found a place in classic western literature. Honoré de Balzac, writing in the nineteenth century, described many characters who wore the finest of luxury watches made by the great watchmaker Breguet himself.
In Alexander Dumas’ “The Count of Monte Cristo,” the protagonist seeks revenge against three men who betrayed him and had him imprisoned. One of these three men, Danglars, becomes a baron and a wealthy banker and is described as owning a particularly luxurious watch from Breguet. Dumas was so taken with the artistry and luxury of Breguet watches that he dropped them into the pockets of two additional characters in “The Count of Monte Cristo,” including those of Signor Pastrini, the owner of the Hotel des Londres in Rome where hero Edmond Dantes meets with Albert de Morcerf, the third owner of a luxury watch from Breguet.
Breguet is named for its founder, Abraham-Louis Breguet. Abraham-Louis was a master of all aspects of luxury watchmaking and he brought many innovations to the field, including shock-protection for balance picots and self-winding perpétuelle watches. Breguet Watches were coveted and proudly worn by King Louis XVI and Queen Marie-Antoinette of France. In 1810, he created the world’s first luxury wristwatch for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples. Breguet’s luxury watches were not only beautiful, they were practical and functional. Breguet’s luxury watches also served the interests of the military, and he served on the Board of Longitude and was appointed chronometer-maker for the navy. Diplomats, aristocrats, and bankers relied on Breguet timepieces. Breguet was so admired he was awarded the Legion of Honour by Louis XVIII. Breguet’s watchmaking history can be explored in all three of their museums, located in cultural hubs around the world like Shanghai, Zurich, and Paris. Breguet watches live on as luxury watches today.