Barometers Realm

Louis Breguet was the grandson of the legendary French watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet, founder of the iconic brand. Louis Breguet continued the horological work of his grandfather and father while also expanding production to include scientific, electrical, and telegraph instruments. In 1862, Louis-Clément Breguet received the entire business of aneroid barometer production from Lucien Vidie, the inventor of the aneroid, and in 1870, he sold the barometer production to the firm Lion & Guichard.

After Louis-Clémence Breguet abandoned horology in 1870, selling the watchmaking business to his works manager Edward Brown, he focused on the development and production of devices related to electricity. In 1881, following a reorganization of the family business, the name “Maison Breguet SA” was adopted. Under the leadership of his son Antoine Breguet, the company showcased a wide range of instruments at the first International Exhibition of Electricity, including a rheostatic machine based on Planté’s design, electrostatic condensers, magneto and dynamo machines of various types (including Gramme’s system), electrical measuring instruments, batteries, cables, conductors and insulators, medical apparatus, electromagnets, chronographs, and even electrical clocks. Later, the company diversified its production into turbines, telephones, and electric pumps.

Antoine Breguet, the late-born son of Louis-Clémence, was educated at the École Polytechnique from 1872 to 1874 before joining the family business. A highly inventive individual, he developed the dial telegraph, improved dynamo machines, worked on Gramme’s machine, and contributed to the development of telephony. In addition to his work at the company, he taught at the Sorbonne and the École Pratique des Hautes Études. In 1881, Antoine Breguet was entrusted with the technical organization of the first International Exhibition of Electricity. However, the efforts he made to ensure the success of the exhibition were too much for his fragile health, as he suffered from advanced arterial rheumatism and passed away at the early age of 31.