The Breguet Souscription/Subscription pocket watch…
The Souscription pocket watch was built over 200 years ago. In addition to the originality of its design and technical innovation, is the thought process and entrepreneurial aspect linked to this watch. Even its name is a result of a commercial concept to facilitate the purchase of such a timepiece, and expand the companies client base.
A single handed watch easily showing the time, combined with the early execution of shock protection, a ruby cylinder, the multiple sandwiching of the ratchet wheel/ barrel arbour, the simple but original click system and the bi-metallic temperature compensation. A system to combat counterfeiting through a difficult to reproduce secret signature. Results in an extraordinary and horologically important timepiece.
After two centuries, it continues to function perfectly.
Watchmaking remains a combination of function, innovation, art and being entrepreneurial. What it was in 1800 is clearly shown by A.-L. Breguet, and how it resonates with today’s world stands to show that regardless of the passage of time, and the change of technologies somethings in watchmaking remain the same.