Josephine Bonaparte's Breguet 'Tact' Watch

Abraham Breguet's no. 611, 'touch' watch, commissioned for Josephine Bonaparte in 1799. Will Nett (Atlas Obscura User)

Unparalleled master Swiss watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet’s sublime diamond-studded ‘tact’ watch, the first of it’s kind, was commissioned in 1799 for Empress Josephine Bonaparte, by her daughter, Hortense. Struck with 12 diamonds, representing the 12 hours, the blue-enamelled piece was designed to allow the very rich owner to tell the time in the dark, or without having to remove it from the pocket. Hardly a piece you would want to hide away, especially as it was sold at auction in 2007 for 1.4,000,000 euros.

The free-to-visit museum includes all of Breguet’s commission paperwork, and original designs, including those for a pedometer he created for the Duke of Sutherland, and the near-mythical ‘Marie Antoinette’ watch.

Know Before You Go

The museum, on the 1st floor of the store, sits snugly in the south west corner of the high-end jewellery outlets of Place Vendome. A member of staff is almost always available to show visitors around during quieter periods. No appointment necessary. Metro ligne: 8 (Madeleine)