Sotheby's confirms 'A Celebration of Breguet’s 250th Anniversary' auction | Image: Supplied

The World’s Largest Breguet Watch Auction is Coming This Year

Nick Hall
By Nick Hall - News

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  • Auction house Sotheby’s has confirmed ‘A Celebration of Breguet’s 250th Anniversary‘ live bidding event.
  • Held in Geneva on 9 November 2025, the sale represents the largest auction of Breguet timepieces in more than 30 years.
  • The lot includes an 1827 Perpétuelle à Tact Watch with date, power reserve and up-and-down indication originally made for King George IV.

Sotheby’s is set to offload the largest collection of Breguet timepieces in more than 30 years when its flagship ‘Luxury Sales’ live auction kicks off in November. Held in celebration of the Paris-born watch maison’s 250th anniversary, the Sotheby’s collection will feature a string of extraordinary pieces, each demonstrating Breguet’s superior mastery of timekeeping, design and craftsmanship.

Held in Geneva on 9 November 2025, the event acknowledges Abraham-Louis Breguet’s remarkable contribution to the watchmaking industry. Widely regarded as the “Father of Modern Watchmaking” and the “Watchmaker of Kings and the King of Watchmakers”, Breguet is responsible for envisioning several critical innovations that have altered timekeeping forever.

The order for the first watch designed to be worn on the wrist from 1810 | Image: Breguet
The order for the first watch designed to be worn on the wrist from 1810 | Image: Breguet

Starting from a small shop in Paris in 1775, Breguet rose to prominence in the late 18th century by revolutionising the way clocks operate, solving many problems of the time. In 1783, Breguet reached a point of great nobility when he received an order from French monarch Marie-Antoinette for watch No.160, which, at that time, was regarded as the most complicated personal timepiece ever made. He would subsequently produce pieces for Europe’s royalty and elite, including Napoleon Bonaparte, King George III and the English Royal Family as well as the Tsar of Russia, but it was his dedication to innovation, not his famous friends that made Breguet a legend.

The Neuchâtel-born producer famously crafted a string of pioneering developments, most notably the “tourbillon” movement and the automatic winding mechanism. Both are still widely used today and have become the yardstick by which all producers are measured. Come November, some of those history-defining pieces will go under the hammer.

“As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we are honouring the creative genius of Abraham-Louis Breguet and his many inventions,” Breguet chief executive officer Gregory Kissling said. “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.”

and Up-and-Down Indication Made for King George IV will be available | Image: Supplied
1827 Perpétuelle à Tact Watch will be available | Image: Supplied

According to Sotheby’s, the ‘A Celebration of Breguet’s 250th Anniversary’ auction event will feature the most stellar examples of Abraham-Louis Breguet’s superior mastery in watchmaking. 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 key chapters of the brand’s long and illustrious history, offering a mix of pocket watches, wristwatches and clocks.

Chief among them is a Perpétuelle à Tact Watch completed in 1827 that features a date, power reserve, and up-and-down indication. The remarkable example was produced for and owned by King George IV of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the King of Hanover, and it bears the King’s monogram on the case back. As Daryn Schnipper, chairman emeritus at Sotheby’s Watches explained, the intracacy of this watch, and indeed all those in the collection, is a testament to the remarkable life and legacy of the world’s most influential watchmaker.

“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,” Schnipper said. “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.”

The Sotheby’s ‘A Celebration of Breguet’s 250th Anniversary’ live bidding event will be held in Geneva on 9 November 2025. The sale will take place as part of Sotheby’s Luxury Sales, alongside Sotheby’s bi-annual flagship Important Watches live auction. More details about the sale will be announced in late spring.

Nick Hall

Editor-in-Chief

Nick Hall

Nick Hall is an award-winning journalist and the current Editor-in-Chief of Man of Many. With an extensive background in the media industry, he specialises in feature writing, lifestyle and entertainment content. Nick is a former Mumbrella Publish Awards ‘Editor of ...