GENEVA.- This November, Sotheby’s will pay tribute to the phenomenal legacy of Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747 – 1823), the most important and influential watchmaker in the history of horology, with a dedicated auction celebrating the 250th anniversary of the foundation of Breguet in Paris in 1775.

This landmark event, the largest auction of Breguet timepieces in more than thirty years, will feature many of the brand’s most stellar examples of Abraham-Louis Breguet’s superior mastery in watchmaking, ground-breaking imagination and innate sense of horological innovation.

Curated in collaboration with Montres Breguet SA and Mr. Emmanuel Breguet, Vice President, Head of Patrimony and descendant of founder Abraham-Louis Breguet, the auction will spotlight the key chapters of the brand’s long and illustrious history, offering a mix of pocket watches, wristwatches and clocks.

The sale will take place as part of Sotheby’s Luxury Sales in Geneva, alongside Sotheby’s bi-annual flagship Important Watches live auction.

Abraham-Louis Breguet revolutionised watchmaking by solving long-standing horological challenges and introducing several critical innovations, otherwise known as watch complications. His pioneering developments, such as the “tourbillon” and the automatic winding mechanism, are still widely used and continue to influence contemporary watchmaking.

Known as the “Father of Modern Watchmaking” and as the “Watchmaker of Kings and the King of Watchmakers” Breguet cultivated a peerless list of clients eager for his mechanical creations which took months and sometimes years to complete. Among his most notable patrons was Queen Marie- Antoinette, who commissioned several timepieces from him. Breguet quickly became the preferred watchmaker for Europe’s royalty and elite, including Napoleon Bonaparte, King George III and the English Royal Family as well as the Tsar of Russia to name but a few, all seeking to acquire the finest watches available. The brand's reputation for exceptional craftsmanship has endured throughout its history.

“Given our distinguished and unparalleled history of bringing Breguet timepieces to auction, it is our honour and privilege to curate a special sale in celebration of the brand’s 250th anniversary. Abraham-Louis Breguet is perhaps the greatest watchmaker of them all – he profoundly influenced the course of horological history and laid the foundations of contemporary watchmaking. We are delighted to be working with Montres Breguet SA on this sale to ensure this commemorative auction is a fitting tribute to Abraham-Louis Breguet’s extraordinary legacy.” Said Daryn Schnipper, Chairman Emeritus, Sotheby’s Watches.

“As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we are honoring the creative genius of Abraham-Louis Breguet and his many inventions. These historic timepieces, each holding a unique story, are now ready to continue their journey. This auction is not just a moment of transition but a heartfelt celebration of our shared passion for the art of watchmaking and, more specifically, the art of Breguet — a timeless legacy of innovation and elegance. We are deeply grateful to Sotheby’s for their expertise in organizing this exceptional auction.” Said Gregory Kissling, Breguet’s Chief Executive Officer.

One of the main lots in the sale is the perpétuelle à tact watch, featuring a date, power reserve, and up-and-down indication, completed in 1827. This remarkable timepiece was made for and owned by King George IV of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, as well as King of Hanover, and it bears the King's monogram on the case back. Other highlights will include a superb open-faced Breguet montre à tact with calendar and moon-phases that was the inspiration for the reference 3330. The sale will also include an important pendulette with alarm, perpetual calendar and repeater as well as a two-colour gold open-faced tourbillon watch.