When you hear the Breguet, you might think of the masterpiece that Abraham-Louis created for France’s ill-fated Queen Marie Antoinette.
Or perhaps you will think of the modern high horology brand.
Whatever comes to mind, it is likely to be quite fancy.
But with the launch of a new watch, the brand is reminding us that there is more to the name than you might think.
From his workshops in the middle of Paris, Abraham-Louis Breguet had a vision to create affordable watches.
This was in contrast to his contemporaries, says the brand, “whose unique pieces were reserved for a select few”.
While the watches made for royalty get the headlines, Breguet wanted to make watches for everyone.
Breguet’s intent to “democratize time” – as the modern brand puts it – was honoured more than 200 years later, with the launch of the Tradition collection in 2005.
The latest addition is the new Tradition Chronographe Indépendant 7077.
It is powered by Breguet’s manual-winding calibre 580DR movement.
It has a 44mm case in either white or rose gold.
On and on the dial are two overlapping arcs.
On the left, the chronograph’s 20-minute counter, driven by the central chronograph hand.
On the right is the power reserve indicator.
The modern watch does, however, remain reassuringly expensive.
The Breguet Tradition Chronographe Indépendant 7077 costs CHF 86,500 inc tax.