The exhibition «Breguet, innovations that changed History… More than 200 patents since 1775» reviews the exceptional contributions that the Manufacture has made to the domain of horology. Since it would have been overly ambitious to suggest visitors become acquainted in detail with all the innovations from the venerable house, Breguet has decided to exhibit eight that are especially famed for having transformed the science of time measurement and indeed the entire approach to this field.

The Tourbillon propelled Breguet into an elite circle of inventors in 1801, when the French Interior Minister granted the brilliant watchmaker a patent for this new type of regulator. The latter made it possible to compensate for the disturbing effects of gravity on watches’ performance, thus enabling timepieces to display significantly improved precision.

A few years after this incredible discovery, at a time when pocket watches were the prevailing norm, Breguet responded to a request from Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, by creating a uniquely built model: the first wristwatch. This oval-shaped complicated model entirely unlike any other was fitted with a wristlet composed of twisted hair and gold thread. In 1812, Breguet achieved the feat of completely overturning the very concept of timepieces. From an object kept hidden in the pocket, the watch thus became and was to remain a jewellery creation proudly worn on the wrist.

While this unique invention brought a certain degree of user friendliness by making it easier to check the time, it was not the only improvement in this direction. In 1830, Breguet’s son sold to Count Charles de L’Espine the first watch boasting a keyless stem winding and time-setting system, now commonly known as the «crown». The Breguet N°4952 watch is thus equipped with a “knurled button” that is twirled from left to right between the thumb and forefinger until a stop is reached and which performs two functions: setting the hands to time and winding the watch. This marked the birth of modern watch winding.

To this very day, Breguet tirelessly perpetuates the pioneering spirit of its founder by revolutionising various facets of horology. The House was notably behind the very first instant dual time-zone device. Breguet reinterprets the travel watch with this function that enables a display of two pre-selected time zones by switching instantly from one to another at a simple press of a pushbutton.

In parallel, the Manufacture leverages high frequency to improve the performances of the balance of some of its models. Rendered possible by the use of lighter components made of silicon, the increase in the frequency of the oscillator – reaching as much as 72,000 vibrations per hour on some timepieces – endows watches with a far more precise rate.

The use of silicon, a material with anti-magnetic properties, also enabled the Breguet engineers to envisage incorporating magnets inside watch mechanism in order to enhance their performance. The Classique La Musicale watch was thus equipped with the first magnetic regulator in watchmaking history. This ingenious mechanism eliminates the characteristic issues of wear, background noise and the need for higher amounts of energy, while also ensuring greater precision.

The introduction of magnetic components, hitherto considered tantamount to horological heresy, opened up whole new vistas of development. Consequently on November 9th 2010, Breguet filed a patent for the magnetic pivot. Composed of two counter-pivots incorporating an especially powerful micro-magnet on either end of the balance staff, this technological innovation notably served to create a dynamically stable system able to keep the balance staff centred and self-adjusting. In 2012, Breguet provided a first showcase for this surprising invention by presenting the Classique Chronométrie, a watch featuring exceptional rating results.

Whether by improving watches’ performances, their precision, their aesthetic or their functional use, Breguet displays considerable ingenuity with each of its creations. Through this exhibition, it takes a look back at over two centuries of inventions and technological developments punctuating its history and shaping its future.