Breguet and the Automobile Industry

Breguet is pleased to collaborate once again with the London Concours which takes place from June 28 to 30 in the heart of London, in the garden of the historic Honourable Artillery Company (HAC). This event, which brings together 80 exceptional cars from around the world, shares the same passion for excellence and precision as the House of Breguet. Since the creation of the brand by Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1775, the manufacture has not ceased to innovate and continues to build the watchmaking of tomorrow. Generation after generation and thanks to its reputation, Breguet has also collaborated with various industries including the automotive industry.

Breguet and Bugatti

Breguet’s reputation of high technical precision caught the attention of M. Ettore Bugatti, who bought a Breguet Tachymeter watch in 1932; a personal model from a series of nine made by Breguet for the Bugatti Royal cars, and intended to be placed at the center of the steering wheel. An exceptional example of this dashboard clock resides in the Breguet Museum, clock no.2023 designed exclusively for Bugatti, featuring a chrome-plated metal case and houses a complication carefully chosen for the automotive industry, a tachymeter scale. Bearing the words “Spécial pour Bugatti”, the Breguet no.2023 dashboard chronograph was produced during the interwar years, at the request of Ettore Bugatti who became a faithful friend of the House and demonstrates the highly diverse range of activities carried out by the watch manufacture.

Breguet and Lamborghini

In the early 1990s, Breguet once again became the watchmaker of choice in the automobile industry, this time for Lamborghini. Contacted by the luxury manufacturer of sports cars, Breguet was required to create a dashboard clock for the new “Diablo” model. The chronograph clock, offered as an upgrade option for the sum of 13,500 CHF, in stainless steel with a gilded green lacquer, featuring a silvered dial with black Roman numerals, Breguet blue steel hands and the Lamborghini logo. The piece is extremely rare, given only around 60 clocks were made, Breguet having acquired the clock through this year.  This piece will be exhibit for the first time in London during the London Concours.

About Breguet

Since its creation in 1775, Breguet has never ceased to distinguish itself as one of the world’s elite watchmaking brands, thanks to the avant-garde spirit instilled by its founder Abraham-Louis Breguet. An outstanding scientist and technician, he was always on the lookout for innovations that would bring precision and reliability to timepieces. He was also the originator of numerous inventions such as the tourbillon, the first wristwatch, and the pare-chute; as well as creating Breguet ‘apple’ hands to watchmaking. As the initiator of the neo-classical style in watchmaking, his creation of a refined and legible design became the trademark of Breguet and has inspired the aesthetic and trends of many timepiece brands since. This innovative spirit has captivated numerous personalities from the political, economic and financial elite around the world since the House’s inception.

Since the Swatch Group acquired Breguet in 1999, the desire to perpetuate the House’s rich heritage while continuing to build the watchmaking of tomorrow is more relevant than ever. Breguet is devoting considerable energy to developing the R&D department, which has already invented the silicon balance spring and the magnetic pivot.

The Swatch Group also makes a point of acquiring legendary timepieces that are part of the history of the brand and of watchmaking, and Breguet is proud to have more and more historic watches and clocks on display at events around the world and in the Breguet Museum Paris. Excellence, know-how and passion: since 1775 the House of Breguet continues to surprise with collections that perpetuate its heritage while aiming for the future.

During the London Concours, an anthology of the brand’s new products and current collections will be exhibited in order to highlight current innovations and Breguet’s know-how.

Discover the universe of the brand here: Breguet | Swiss Luxury Watches – since 1775