Introduction to Breguet
Abraham-Louis Breguet established Breguet in Paris in 1775, laying the foundation for a luxury watch brand, one of the most influential brands today. Abraham-Louis Breguet was not just merely a watchmaker but an innovator whose inventions transformed horology. Breguet watches have graced even European royalty, including Marie Antoinette, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Tsar Alexander I.
Breguet has made several contributions to watchmaking. Abraham-Louis Breguet invented the tourbillon in 1801. The Breguet overcoil improved timekeeping precision, and the iconic Breguet hands with their hollowed eccentric circles near the tips are such revolutionizing inventions that numerous brands use in their watches. Since 1999, the Swatch Group has overseen the manufacturing of Breguet watches and preserved the hand-finishing techniques that define haute horlogerie.
You can instantly recognize Breguet watches due to their distinctive design elements, particularly the signature engine-turned (guilloche) dials. The coin-edge case fluting is another aesthetic distinction that provides both practical grip and form factor.
Breguet Classique Collection
The purest expression of traditional watchmaking, the Classique collection adheres to Breguet's aesthetic and technical codes established by Abraham-Louis Breguet. The flagship collection of the brand, a Classique watch features an engine-turned (guilloche) dial crafted by hand on antique rose engines, blued steel Breguet hands with their characteristic "apple" shape, and fluted cases with their coin-edge pattern define the design and form factor of Breguet Classique.
Classique reference 5177, priced slightly over $20,000, features the signature blue Breguet hands against a grand feu enamel dial. If you overlook simplicity, the Classique 7337 offers complications such as a second-time zone, date, and day/night indicator, all of which are elegantly adjusted within a 39mm case at around $35,700.
Classique Complications Collection
Classique Complications collection is a testament to Breguet's technical prowess, continuing Abraham-Louis Breguet's legacy. This collection has some notable models like the Tourbillon Extra-Plat 5367, featuring an ultra-thin tourbillon movement. The reference 5327 Perpetual Calendar is another Breguet masterpiece featuring calendar mechanisms and moon phase indications. The complications don't just consist of features but also represent rethinking the brand's capabilities and transforming traditional mechanisms to improve performance, reliability, and aesthetics. Breguet watch price in this collection is on the high end because these models not only have technical complexity but take hundreds of hours of expert craftsmanship for their creation.
La Marine Collection
The Marine collection is another chapter of Breguet's long heritage, drawing inspiration from Abraham-Louis Breguet's learnings when he was appointed as a chronometer-maker to the French Royal Navy in 1815.
Introduced as luxury sports watches, the La Marine collection has evolved to adapt to the changing tastes of enthusiasts. The current Marine watch collection, introduced in 2017, has a more muscular case design with wave-pattern guilloche dials, luminous hands, and markers for enhanced legibility. Despite modern sportier elements, Marine still preserves recognizable Breguet design codes, including fluted case bands, refined guilloche work, and the signature Breguet hands. Some notable models in the collection include the Marine 5517, the Marine Chronograph 5527, and the Marine Alarme Musicale 5547.
Tradition Collection
Breguet Tradition collection, introduced in 2005, offers a unique aesthetic featuring movement architecture on the dial side, creating a three-dimensional mechanical landscape. Traditional models have exposed main movement components, including the mainspring barrel, gear train, and regulating organ. The display of the mechanical artistry allows the wearer to appreciate the mechanism typically hidden beneath a dial. The reference 7047 is a popular model incorporating a fusée-chain transmission system paired with a tourbillon regulator. The reference 7067, with its retrograde seconds display traveling along an arc, is another impressive timepiece.
Type XX-XXI-XXII Collection
Breguet Type XX-XXI-XXII collection represents Breguet's historical connection to aviation. The brand produced the Type XX chronographs for the French naval air arm. These models have military specifications, resulting in a departure from Breguet's classical designs while offering robust functionality and legibility. Even today, the Type XX-XXI-XXII watches maintain this aviation heritage. From large luminous numerals and highly legible hands to rotating bezels for timing and flyback chronographs, these remain the collection's signature features.
Contemporary Type XX models have made way for Type XXI and Type XXII references. These watches feature increased case size, date functions, and enhanced water resistance. Some notable references in this collection are the Type XXI 3817, featuring a slate gray dial with luminous Arabic numerals, and the more advanced Type XXII 3880, flaunting high-frequency movement and the ability to measure 1/10th of a second intervals.
Reine de Naples Collection
Breguet's Reine de Naples collection is a historical milestone. It was the first wristwatch Abraham-Louis Breguet created for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples and Napoleon Bonaparte's sister, in 1810. For over two centuries, the collection has continued to embrace feminine elegance and balance it with mechanical sophistication. One of the most inspiring Breguet ladies watch collection is recognizable by its elongated oval case shape, curved dials, and off-center hour/minute displays.
The Reine de Naples 8918 and the Reine de Naples 8908 are some of the most sought-after models in this collection.
High Jewellery Collection
Breguet High Jewellery collection represents a teamplay between watchmaking expertise and the highest expression of jewelry artistry. These timepieces transform functional watches into wearable art utilizing extraordinary gem-setting techniques and precious materials. Breguet has several signature techniques such as snow setting, channel setting, and traditional prong settings that allow watchmaker to use gems in their watches for the highest standards of jewellery creations.
The Marie-Antoinette Dentelle is one of the most notable High Jewellery timepieces, inspired by the French queen's pocket watch.
Breguet Watch Price Guide
Depending on the collection, material, and complications, the Breguet watch price can vary extensively. Case material is the most significant variable, with steel models serving as entry-level watches and precious metals like gold and platinum priced substantially higher. Time-only pieces are more affordable and have increasing value due to complications.
Type XX chronographs and time-only Marine models in stainless steel priced between $12,000 to $18,000 introduce you to Breguet. The classic Classique models in gold are priced at around $25,000 for time-only versions. The mid-range Breguet watch price between $25,000 and $60,000 includes models like the Marine Chronographe, Classique Complications, and entry-level Tradition pieces. On the higher end, high complication and jewelry timepieces can exceed $500,000 for exceptional watches.
Master Luxury Breguet Collection
Master Luxury offers Breguet watches for sale across new and preowned categories. In our collection, you will find Breguet watches that include all major collections, from the elegant Classique to the feminine Reine de Naples, sporty Type XX-XXI-XXII, and innovative Tradition models.
Each Breguet for sale in our collection undergoes rigorous authentication and condition assessment by a team of experts. From serial number verification to movement examination and performance testing, Master Luxury takes every precaution to ensure that used Breguet watches in our catalog are a value-for-money proposition. Buy Breguet watches for sale with complete confidence and transparency. If you are looking to sell a Breguet watch, we can offer you the most competitive market valuations based on current conditions, rarity, and market demand.
FAQs
How much are Breguet watches?
Breguet watches prices vary like every other luxury brand. You can expect to spend anywhere between $12,000-$18,000 for entry-level models like the Type XX chronographs. Midrange models like the gold Classique models can range from $18,000 to $45,000. High jewelry pieces that make the most expensive models may command prices over $500,000.
Are Breguet watches good investments?
Breguet watches offer strong value retention, particularly complicated timepieces, limited editions, and precious metal models. Before investing, look for the model's historical significance, technical excellence, and market demand.
Why are Breguet watches so expensive?
Breguet is one of the most popular luxury watch brands in the world. The price of these watches is high because they reflect extraordinary craftsmanship, limited production, and genuine innovation.
How many watches does Breguet make a year?
Breguet maintains the production of approximately 10,000 watches annually across all collections. The limited production is deliberate to ensure exceptional quality control and maintain exclusivity.
Where to buy Breguet watches?
New Breguet watches are available through the brand's boutiques and authorized dealers. For pre-owned Breguet watches, Master Luxury is a trusted name offering authenticated timepieces with appropriate guarantees.
