Breguet Watches

If you’ve clicked on this, there’s a high chance that you have at least a passing interest in watches and timekeeping, beyond simply being aware of the time and wanting to know what the time is exactly. There’s also a chance you’re the kind of person who wants to further their knowledge and understanding of watches and timekeeping, and that’s good, because that’s exactly what’s about to happen.

The hand wound chronograph is perhaps the foundation of a high-end watch company’s ability to demonstrate its prowess, a complex, intricate assembly unencumbered by a rotor weight hiding the mechanical wizardry going on inside. There’s no better palette upon which to exhibit the art of fine watchmaking—but can you tell the difference between one that’s more affordable and one that’s very expensive?

If you want a timepiece that echoes the classic British and French pocket watches of the 18th century, then it’s to Breguet that you’ll need to turn your attention. Simple, yet beautifully executed, plain, yet immediately recognisable, Breguet’s nod to masters like John Harrison, Thomas Mudge and John Arnold has become a style of its own within the wristwatch community. But there’s a new kid in town offering that same look for just a tenth of the price, one Frederique Constant. Should Breguet be worried?

In a cake made of watch parts, the tourbillon is surely the cherry. It's revered, it's worshipped, it's—wait a second, what actually is a tourbillon, and why should I want one? Here to answer that question are a couple of watches from two of the oldest and best watchmakers in the world: Breguet and Blancpain.