Q Report Team
Luxury Watches: A Simple Guide to Watch Complications
In the watch world, a “complication” is simply a function on a timepiece that .
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Q Report Team
An extraordinary watch with an extraordinary history - The Breguet No. 160 grand complication, more commonly known as the Marie-Antoinette or “the Queen”.
Master watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet was commissioned to make the watch in 1782 by Count Hans Axel von Fersen, the alleged lover of the French Queen, Marie Antoinette. No limit was given on price, no deadline demanded for completion. Gold would replace brass wherever possible. Some parts were carved in sapphire to reduce friction. It was to contain every known watch function of the time, including:
Unfortunately, Antoinette never lived to see the watch as she was executed during the French Revolution before it could be completed. Neither did Breguet, who died in 1823.
His son completed the watch in 1827, 44 years after work began.
By 1983, the Queen was in the collection of the L.A. Mayer Institute for Islamic Art in Jerusalem. There it was stolen by the infamous thief Na’aman Diller, along with many other pieces.
In 2005, with the watch still missing, watchmakers from modern Breguet were commissioned to make a copy of it.
It took this team of master watchmakers 3 years to finish the job with modern tools and techniques – but just as it was nearing completion, the original Marie Antoinette watch was rediscovered, returned by the widow of Na’aman Diller.
The watch is currently hanging in the basement of the L. A. Mayer museum. It is valued at roughly $30 million.
To get an accurate insurance quote, please provide the amount from your purchase receipt.
Don't have the receipt?
If you don't have the receipt, you can provide the most recent valuation amount instead.
An extraordinary watch with an extraordinary history - The Breguet No. 160 grand complication, more commonly known as the Marie-Antoinette or “the Queen”.
Master watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet was commissioned to make the watch in 1782 by Count Hans Axel von Fersen, the alleged lover of the French Queen, Marie Antoinette. No limit was given on price, no deadline demanded for completion. Gold would replace brass wherever possible. Some parts were carved in sapphire to reduce friction. It was to contain every known watch function of the time, including:
Unfortunately, Antoinette never lived to see the watch as she was executed during the French Revolution before it could be completed. Neither did Breguet, who died in 1823.
His son completed the watch in 1827, 44 years after work began.
By 1983, the Queen was in the collection of the L.A. Mayer Institute for Islamic Art in Jerusalem. There it was stolen by the infamous thief Na’aman Diller, along with many other pieces.
In 2005, with the watch still missing, watchmakers from modern Breguet were commissioned to make a copy of it.
It took this team of master watchmakers 3 years to finish the job with modern tools and techniques – but just as it was nearing completion, the original Marie Antoinette watch was rediscovered, returned by the widow of Na’aman Diller.
The watch is currently hanging in the basement of the L. A. Mayer museum. It is valued at roughly $30 million.
Unlike their battery-powered quartz counterparts, luxury watches have a beating heart – the mechanical movement. First created in the 14th century, large, weight-driven tower clocks with verge escapements and foliot balances marked the dawn of mechanical timekeeping.
Today, the core concept of mechanical movements remains unchanged from its original conception. It involves an intricate arrangement of gears, springs, and an escapement powered by a wound mainspring. This precision engineering allows for smooth operation and precise timekeeping.
Manual watch movements require the wearer to wind the crown periodically. Automatic watch movements, on the other hand, utilise the wearer's movements to keep the mainspring wound, offering a convenient everyday solution.
The Patek Philippe Calatrava, with its ultra-thin manual movement, exemplifies the elegance of traditional watchmaking. On the other hand, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, with its self-winding mechanism epitomises practicality and durability.
Whether manual or automatic, a mechanical movement imbues a luxury watch with a soul, a testament to human ingenuity and a treasured heirloom for generations to come
Luxury watches often boast 'complications,' intricate mechanisms that add layers of sophistication, style and utility. Here, we explore some of the most fascinating complications created by the best luxury watch brands.
Unlike their battery-powered quartz counterparts, luxury watches have a beating heart – the mechanical movement. First created in the 14th century, large, weight-driven tower clocks with verge escapements and foliot balances marked the dawn of mechanical timekeeping.
Today, the core concept of mechanical movements remains unchanged from its original conception. It involves an intricate arrangement of gears, springs, and an escapement powered by a wound mainspring. This precision engineering allows for smooth operation and precise timekeeping.
Manual watch movements require the wearer to wind the crown periodically. Automatic watch movements, on the other hand, utilise the wearer's movements to keep the mainspring wound, offering a convenient everyday solution.
The Patek Philippe Calatrava, with its ultra-thin manual movement, exemplifies the elegance of traditional watchmaking. On the other hand, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, with its self-winding mechanism epitomises practicality and durability.
Whether manual or automatic, a mechanical movement imbues a luxury watch with a soul, a testament to human ingenuity and a treasured heirloom for generations to come
Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.
Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.
Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.
Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.
Contents insurance is essential for anyone who owns valuable items, as it helps protect you should a potential loss occur in your.
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Luxury watches often boast 'complications,' intricate mechanisms that add layers of sophistication, style and utility. Here, we explore some of the most fascinating complications created by the best luxury watch brands.
Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.
Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.
Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.
Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.
“Knowing your engagement ring is insured brings peace of mind. Accidents can happen, and insurance coverage alleviates the worry and stress of potential loss or damage.”
Unlike their battery-powered quartz counterparts, luxury watches have a beating heart – the mechanical movement. First created in the 14th century, large, weight-driven tower clocks with verge escapements and foliot balances marked the dawn of mechanical timekeeping.
Today, the core concept of mechanical movements remains unchanged from its original conception. It involves an intricate arrangement of gears, springs, and an escapement powered by a wound mainspring. This precision engineering allows for smooth operation and precise timekeeping.
Manual watch movements require the wearer to wind the crown periodically. Automatic watch movements, on the other hand, utilise the wearer's movements to keep the mainspring wound, offering a convenient everyday solution.
The Patek Philippe Calatrava, with its ultra-thin manual movement, exemplifies the elegance of traditional watchmaking. On the other hand, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, with its self-winding mechanism epitomises practicality and durability.
Whether manual or automatic, a mechanical movement imbues a luxury watch with a soul, a testament to human ingenuity and a treasured heirloom for generations to come
Diamond shapes can vary in price due to popularity and demand. Round brilliants, for example, tend to be more expensive than other shapes due to their high demand. If budget is a concern, consider alternative shapes or prioritise other aspects, such as cut quality, over the shape itself.
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Contents insurance covers the items within your home in case they are damaged, lost or stolen. This can include furniture, electronics, clothing and other personal. Contents insurance is essential for anyone who owns valuable items, as it helps protect you should a potential loss occur in your.
An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.
An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised.
An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.
An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised.
An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.
An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised.
An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.
An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised.
Luxury watches often boast 'complications,' intricate mechanisms that add layers of sophistication, style and utility. Here, we explore some of the most fascinating complications created by the best luxury watch brands.
Contents insurance covers the items within your home in case they are damaged, lost or stolen. This can include furniture, electronics, clothing and other personal. Contents insurance is essential for anyone who owns valuable items, as it helps protect you should a potential loss occur in your.
To get an accurate insurance quote, please provide the amount from your purchase receipt.
Don't have the receipt?
If you don't have the receipt, you can provide the most recent valuation amount instead.
In the watch world, a “complication” is simply a function on a timepiece that .
Luxury watches are all about style and prestige. But below the surface lies a .
Luxury watches are a testament to the highest levels of craftsmanship and .