Breguet

June 15, 2012—New York, NY. Breguet, the world's most prestigious watch brand, continues to highlight the legacy of its founder Abraham-Louis Breguet ("A.-L. Breguet") with an exhibit entitled: "Breguet: Watchmaker, Aviator, Innovator." celebrating a century in aviation inspired timepieces.

Breguet Inaugurates Exhibit of Vintage Aviation Timepieces on Board The Intrepid

The exhibition launched on Flag Day, June 14^th, under the New York City skyline against the backdrop of a fleet of fighter planes on board the deck of The Intrepid. A cocktail reception unveiling the exhibit was hosted by the Board of Montres Breguet represented by Mr. Rodolphe Schulthess, VP of Global Sales, Mr. Jean-Charles Zufferey, Head of Marketing and Mr. Michael Nelson, Breguet USA Brand President. Over 300 guests were treated to a private viewing of the exhibit and a sneak peak of the Space Shuttle Enterprise. VIP guests included Mr. Floyd Cardoz, winner, Top Chef Masters and preferred clients.

The evening was amplified by an expansive display of 26 Breguet watches, including 10 vintage timepieces on display for the first time in the U.S.

Starting in New York City, Breguet embarks on a two month tour that traces the history of Breguet in aviation and showcases the brand's legacy of innovation with a variety of historical timepieces including the original Breguet Type XX, and Breguet's 10Hz technology which is integrated into the Type XXII.  

Breguet's most celebrated clients included Napoleon, Marie-Antoinette and Winston Churchill to name a few. His extraordinary talents were undoubtedly passed down to his descendants, namely his great-great grandson Louis-Charles, who turned his talents to the fledgling world of Aviation.

The evolution of the clock is closely linked to the development of long distance transportation. During the age of A.-L. Breguet, it was ship and sea travel that influenced innovation. In 1815, A.-L. Breguet developed the marine chronometer that helped usher in a more efficient age of sea travel. The invention was adopted by the French Navy, and Breguet was appointed "Horloger de la Marine Royal" (watchmaker to the Royal Navy).

By the beginning of the 20th century, the demands of the sea gave way to the demands of the sky. Hence, the evolution of the aircraft soon prompted the evolution of the wristwatch. In 1918, the Breguet watch company first began producing watches for aviators and also developed chronograph mechanisms mounted in cockpit instrument panels.

Breguet's ties to the French Navy grew as the need for military aircraft at sea became evident soon after the first planes took flight. The French ministry of war formed the French Naval Air Arm ("Aéronavale") in 1910 and by 1913 was using Breguet planes in its fleet. For the next 60 years, Breguet planes were the primary aircraft used by the Aéronavale.

"Breguet: Watchmaker, Aviator, Innovator" will be open for viewing at the Breguet Boutique on Fifth Avenue from June 19^th to July 8^th, the Breguet Boutique in Bal Harbour from  July 12^th to  July 29^th and complete the tour at the Breguet Boutique on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills from August 2^nd to August 19^th.

About Breguet

The world's number one luxury watchmaker

Since it was acquired by the Swatch Group in 1999, Montres Breguet has rapidly moved into the world number one position in luxury watchmaking. Its new products, the true measure of brand dynamism, and its capacity for innovation continue to be a priority. To such an extent that the creativity and ingenuity of Breguet have not run out of steam with the passage of time, but rather have grown, since the number of patents granted under the leadership of Nicolas G. Hayek exceeds the number of inventions recorded by its founder, A.-L. Breguet (1747–1823). Today the brand is continuing to reinforce its dominant role in the development of watchmaking mechanics by devoting very significant investments to research and innovation, as well as to the actual Breguet manufacturing site, which has been enlarged and expanded with new facilities and infrastructure as well as sophisticated machinery. Emphasis has also been placed on recruiting highly qualified watchmakers. A team is ceaselessly working on the design and production of new models that interpret the brand's esthetic values in a novel manner, and on completely original mechanisms that will drive the timepieces of tomorrow. At the heart of the brand's strategy lies the perfecting, through synergies with the Swatch Group, of innovative manufacturing procedures. This demonstrates its historical capacity for constantly reinventing and revolutionizing watchmaking, in order to satisfy the requirements of its extremely sophisticated clientele. It was with this objective in mind that a prestige jewelry line was launched in 2002, with resounding success. www.breguet.com

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