Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747-1823) was considered one of the leading watch makers of his day, and even in the modern era he is widely considered one of the greatest horologists of all times. His technical skills and innovations changed the world of horology with inventions such as the tourbillon, used to counter the effects of gravity on the movement, or the Montre à tact, a watch constructed with knobs to the outside of the case, so a discreet gentleman could tell time without looking at his watch and appearing impolite. The firm remained in the family’s control until the late 19th century when Breguet’s great-grandson Louis Antoine (1851-1882) passed away. He hired English watchmaker Edward Brown to manage the Paris factory and upon Antoine’s death, Brown retained control of the firm. Following Brown’s death in 1895, his sons continued to lead the brand, however it changed hands again in the 1970s and 1980s, with the Swatch Group finally acquiring it in 1999. Over the last 100 years, Breguet has remained true to the tenets of their founder, producing watches that not only have a classic appeal, but are technical marvels.

The present platinum perpetual calendar equation of time wristwatch is a superb modern timepiece featuring some of the most prestigious complications the brand specializes in today. The dial, with its equation of time indication, simultaneously displays both “true” solar time as defined by nature and the “mean” solar time as recognized by man – reflecting the true position of the sun versus mean time standardized for civilians. An impressive mechanical micro-computer with exquisite finishing throughout, the equation of time mechanism is linked to the perpetual calendar complication, making the equation of time indication accurate to the exact day. Preserved in excellent overall condition, this reference 3470 is a highly complicated watch that exudes elegance, rooted to an earlier time that today many have forgotten - a period of state-of-the-art mechanical technology from a non-computerized era.