New York – Reported by Elite Traveler, the private jet lifestyle magazine
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.
The exhibition launched on Flag Day, June 14th, 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.
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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.
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“Breguet: Watchmaker, Aviator, Innovator” will be open for viewing at the Breguet Boutique on Fifth Avenue from June 19th to July 8th, the Breguet Boutique in Bal Harbour from July 12th to July 29th and complete the tour at the Breguet Boutique on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills from August 2nd to August 19th.
