ThomasM[PuristS]
14331
It is all a matter of definitions
Jul 30, 2003,04:16 AM
Hi Jay,
As you get more and more into the history (not pseudo-history as presented by industry PR departments) of the development of timepieces, you will see repeatedly these sorts of apparently contradictory claims.
The key is WHAT is being claimed - full rotor? theory or application? what is the standard for whether the design works or not?
The A.L. Breguet self winding design was for a pocket watch application, and in all candor, did not work all that well (certainly not with the sort of reliability and dependability of modern self-winding watches)
There are claims that Mr. Breguet got his idea while working in the workshops of A. Perrelet, though I have yet to see a surviving specimen of a reasonably functional self winding timepiece designed and made by Perrelet (not that one doesn't exist)
There were a number of auto winding designs before Rolex, but Rolex can legitimately claim to have had the design that has proven most reliable and successful.
History is the final arbitor of success or failure, but which version of history are we using?
Similar conflicting claims apply to the keyless works (Antoine LeCoultre; Louis Audemars along with some Piguets and Meylans thrown in for good measure; and PP among the chief claimants with most legitimacy)
Comments:
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Lasting Value?
By: Gary : July 28th, 2003-12:24
I'm a Breguet virgin, but have my eye on a 5140 with the enamel dial in YG. With its classic arabic numerals, hands and signature it is very reminiscent of the pocket watch design. I wonder though how 'desirable' this model is by watch afficionados. Which...
Agree on all accounts.....
By: alex : July 29th, 2003-01:01
buy a watch if it puts a smile on your face but forget the whole thing about holding value, the only brands where the watch usually holds value are Patek and Rolex and all depends on the model so go for what you like and enjoy
Re: Lasting Value?
By: Gary : July 29th, 2003-10:10
Thankyou for your replies. I guess I'm really looking for some moral support to justify the decision to spend ?8,900 on something that 'makes me smile' that will work on the wife! I'm fully aware of the financial gains to be had by buying the 'right' mode...
Secondary markets
By: MikeP : July 30th, 2003-09:09
I'd just like to add my 2 cents, and I'll try to keep it short. I wrote at lenght on this subject on the TZ Breguet forum. Patek, ie the Sterns, created the preceived value of older Pateks by buying them up for their own collection and/or their museum. Th...
Breguet never claimed to have invented...
By: Jeremy Oster : August 2nd, 2003-03:15
the self-winding system. In fact, Breguet's claim was to have perfected the system ie made it work. As Thomas says, the idea most likely came from working with other watchmakers in the area, quite possibly Perrelet. The system, as also mentioned by Thomas...