• News
    • Funny
    • Weird
    • Global
  • Entertainment
  • Celebrities
  • Sins
  • Interesting As Fuck
  • WTF

Marie Antoinette Pocket Watch - An Antique 12-In-1 Watch Set

1KShares
100.8KViews

Marie Antoinette pocket watch - This watch, also known as the Queen's watch, was designed by Swiss watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet and was his 160th watch. It is the most complex of the Breguet watches. It has been referred to as "poetry in clockwork."

Marie-Antoinette is said to have been attracted by Breguet's timepieces, and she eventually purchased a number of them over the course of her life, including a perpétuelle equipped with a self-winding device. In 1783, a secret admirer of hers placed an order with Breguet for a watch that would be as stunning as possible, combining the widest spectrum of horological knowledge available at the time. The watch was to be given to the Queen as a present.

Specifically, the instruction stated that gold should be used in place of other metals wherever possible and that auxiliary mechanisms, often referred to as complexities, should be as numerous and varied as possible. There were no time or money restrictions imposed. The Marie Antoinette pocket watch is said to have been commissioned in 1783 by the Swedish count Axel von Fersen the Younger. The construction of the watch began in 1783 and was completed in 1802.

The watch is a significant story aspect in Allen Kurzweil's novel The Grand Complication, which is set in the future.

Marie antoinette pocket watch set
Marie antoinette pocket watch set

COPYRIGHT_HOOK: Published on https://thehooksite.com/marie-antoinette-pocket-watch/ by Kane Perkins on 2022-05-11T15:36:06.878Z

History

An unnamed lover of the French Queen, Marie Antoinette, is thought to have commissioned the watch in 1783 when it was first displayed in Paris. It took nineteen years to complete the task at hand. Marie Antoinette did not live to see the completion of the watch, which was completed nine years after she was executed by the firing squad.

During Breguet's exile, the factory's operations were halted for approximately seven years (1789–1795). It was completed in 1802 after many years of work. The "Marie Antoinette" remained in the custody of the Breguet firm until it was sold to Sir Spencer Brunton in 1887, after which it was acquired by Sir David Lionel Salomons, a leading expert on Breguet watches, in the 1920s.

$30,000,000 Marie Antoinette “Grande Complication” pocket watch number 1160 by Breguet

On April 17, 1983, it was taken from the L.A. Mayer Institute for Islamic Art Museum, together with more than 100 other unique watches from Salomons' collection, which was also stolen. The theft went unexplained for 23 years until the authorities were tipped off by people who claimed to have been seen pieces from the collection during that time period.

It was later discovered that expert thief Na'aman Diller had conducted the crime, concealing the watches in safes across the world, including the United States, European countries, and Israel. Diller's wife attempted to resell the stolen watches and clocks in 2004, following his death in 2003. She was apprehended and sentenced to five years probation for accepting stolen property.

Where Is The Marie Antoinette Watch Kept?

Only 39 timepieces were found in 2007 out of a total of 106 stolen timepieces, including the Marie Antoinette clock. The timepieces were returned to the Israel Museum in Tel Aviv. Marie Antoinette watch price was $30 million as the price tag was placed on the watch in 2013.

Construction And Functions

There are 823 components in total in the watch, and it was intended to include every watch function known at the time, including the following features:

  • Clock
  • Celestial time
  • Condition of Winding
  • Calendar that is never-ending
  • Minute repeater
  • Thermometer
  • Chronograph
  • Power reserve
  • Pare-Chute
  • Chime
  • Automatic winding
  • Seconds hand that is not dependent on the first hand

Even by the standards of the time, it was a prohibitively expensive piece of art. The most costly materials (including gold, platinum, rubies, and sapphires) were used, and there were no restrictions on the amount of time or money spent on them. The watch is covered in gold and has a transparent face that allows the wearer to see the intricate movement of the gears inside. Breguet employed sapphires in the mechanism to reduce friction and noise levels.

According to Breguet company records, the factory costs eventually amounted to a gigantic figure of 30,000 francs. More than six times the price of Breguet's other important work, No. 92, which was sold to the Duc de Preslin for 4800 francs, this painting represents a significant investment.

A close up shot of Marie Antoinette pocket watch set
A close up shot of Marie Antoinette pocket watch set

Replica

Swatch chairman Nicolas Hayek encouraged Breguet watchmakers to create a replica of the timepiece, which was completed in 2005 with the help of Hayek. The watch was finished after three years and shown to the public in an oak case constructed from the wood of Marie-favorite Antoinette's tree in France, which had been specially commissioned for the occasion.

"Quite possibly the most anxiety inducing piece of mechanics I’ve seen ina while. Thanks!"

_xerces79 (Reddit)

"I had a Casio watch back in the day that could light up in the dark,cost about 15 bucks.Can this one do that?I didn't think so, advantage Casio.:-P"

_AlienDarwin (Reddit)

"Incredible. The amount of work to fabricate every single piece by hand to this level blows my mind."

_Beowoulf355 (Reddit)

Conclusion

It looks like a scene from a Sherlock Holmes novel appears to have been ripped straight from the pages: Unknown to the wearer, Marie Antoinette pocket watch, a watch that was created over decades for a Queen is taken by an international jewel thief and thought to have been sold on the black market before it is ever seen again. It miraculously reappears in a residence only a few miles away from where it was last seen, a quarter of a century after it went missing.

If you enjoyed this article, click here for more interesting information.

Share: Twitter | Facebook | Linkedin

About The Authors

Kane Perkins

Kane Perkins - ✅ Memes, ✅ Crazy Stories, ✅ WTF??? 🎃🎃🎃 Yeah - That's me, Kane! 👀 The source of all unusual and WTF news. 🤪🤪🤪 Bookmark The HOOK now and you won't "ragret" it. 🔥💀👀

Recent Articles

  • What Do They Earn On The Internet

    Entertainment

    What Do They Earn On The Internet

    In 2023, is it possible to turn your website into money with the help of a casino partner and earn a good income? Do you want to make money online but do not know where to start? In this material, we are going to tell you all.

  • Can Valorant Compete With CS GO In ESports?

    Games

    Can Valorant Compete With CS GO In ESports?

    A few years ago, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive was the undisputed leader among tactical team-based shooters and had no competitors, but two years ago, Valorant appeared.

  • Mackenzie Davis Nude - A Rising Star In Hollywood's Science Fiction Scene

    Celebrities

    Mackenzie Davis Nude - A Rising Star In Hollywood's Science Fiction Scene

    Mackenzie Davis nude is a Canadian actress born on April 1, 1987, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She started her career in acting in 2012 with a guest role in the TV series "I Just Want My Pants Back." Since then, she has appeared in several notable TV shows and films.

  • Movies About Overcoming Adversity - 10 Inspiring Movies You Must Watch

    Movies & TV Shows

    Movies About Overcoming Adversity - 10 Inspiring Movies You Must Watch

    Movies about overcoming adversity have always been popular because they inspire and motivate us to overcome our own challenges. These films showcase the resilience and determination of individuals who face seemingly insurmountable obstacles and triumph over them.

  • Pikachu's Merchandise Collaborations With Other Brands - When Pikachu Meets Fashion

    Pikachu

    Pikachu's Merchandise Collaborations With Other Brands - When Pikachu Meets Fashion

    Pikachu, the iconic electric-type Pokémon, has been a beloved character since its introduction in the first generation of the Pokémon franchise. Over the years, Pikachu has become not just a popular figure in the gaming world, but also in fashion and pop culture. One way Pikachu has expanded beyond gaming is through Pikachu's merchandise collaborations with other brands.

  • Memes That Accurately Reflect Current Events And Trends - Laughing Through The Chaos

    Memes

    Memes That Accurately Reflect Current Events And Trends - Laughing Through The Chaos

    Memes have become a popular way of communicating and reflecting on current events and trends. They are a fun and engaging way to express opinions and ideas, and often go viral on social media platforms, providing a shared cultural experience among internet users. Here are 10 examples of memes that accurately reflect current events and trends.

  • Games That Are Compatible With Virtual Reality (VR) - Virtual Reality Is Revolutionizing The Gaming Industry

    Games

    Games That Are Compatible With Virtual Reality (VR) - Virtual Reality Is Revolutionizing The Gaming Industry

    The immersive experience of VR gaming can transport players into another world, and they can interact with the game environment in a way that was never possible before. In this article, we will explore some of the games that are compatible with Virtual Reality (VR) and provide a brief overview of each.

  • Snake Found Hiding In A Bag Of Lettuce At Grocery Store

    Funny

    Snake Found Hiding In A Bag Of Lettuce At Grocery Store

    In April 2021, a snake found hiding in a bag of lettuce at grocery store in Sydney, Australia, shocking both the shoppers and the employees. The snake was identified as a venomous pale-headed snake and was believed to have traveled all the way from Queensland, over 1,000 kilometers away.

  • Why Do I Keep Having Sexual Dreams - Understanding Why They Keep Happening

    Sex Stories

    Why Do I Keep Having Sexual Dreams - Understanding Why They Keep Happening

    Why do I keep having sexual dreams a common occurrence that can happen to anyone, regardless of age or gender. While some may consider these dreams to be pleasant experiences, others may feel uncomfortable or embarrassed about them.

  • Shocking And Unbelievable Occurrences That Will Make You Gasp - The Unpredictability Of Reality

  • Astonishing Cultural Artifacts From Ancient Civilizations - Unlocking The Secrets Of The Past

  • Is Your Favorite Delivery Food Coming From A Ghost Kitchen?

  • Fan Tries To Sell Used Contacts That Have 'Seen Taylor Swift's Eras Tour' For $10,000

  • Adopted Orphan Revealed As 22 Year Old Finds New Family And A Fresh Start