Two historic letters enter the Breguet Museum

Image
Two historic letters enter the Breguet Museum  - Breguet
1 minute read
Breguet announces the acquisition of two historic letters recently auctioned by Delorme & Collin du Bocage in Paris.

When Abraham-Louis Breguet first embarked on the business of exporting his timepieces, he was immediately drawn to Russia where he opened in 1808 a branch in Saint Petersburg. Christened the “Maison de Russie,” the venture came to an abrupt end three years later when, amidst a climate of mounting political tensions between Russia and France, Tsar Alexander I banned French imports from entering his territory.

Fortunately, a loyal Russian clientèle continued to solicit the craftsmanship of Breguet. The conclusion of the crisis was marked by a particularly symbolic sale. As Napoleon's France capitulated before a Russian-led coalition in March 1814, a mysterious client arrived at the Breguet workshop on Quai de l’Horloge: the Emperor of all Russia himself, Tsar Alexander I, travelling incognito and accompanied only by his manservant. The Tsar purchased two pieces and commissioned a series of pedometers to regulate the steps of his troops.

The first of the two documents acquired at auction is a letter to Abraham-Louis Breguet, dated December 1814, and requesting repair of one of the pieces purchased by the Tsar. The letter, written by the Tsar’s Chief of General Staff, Prince Pyotr Mikhailovich Volkonsky, states: “The watch that His Majesty The Emperor purchased from you has been disturbed. His Majesty has ordered me to send it to you and kindly requests that you repair it.”
Two historic letters enter the Breguet Museum

The second letter is from Prince Nikita Grigorievich Volkonsky, who writes to the master watchmaker that, while he praises his Breguet timepiece (“the precision of its function is admirable”), he is forced to return it to the watchmaker since he is unable to gather the necessary funds to purchase it.

Featured brand