BREGUET PENS A MUST READ
The staff at iW has discovered a must-read for all timepiece lovers: The sec-
ond edition of “Breguet, Watchmakers Since 1775. The Life and Legacy of
Abraham-Louis Breguet,” which has just been published.
In 452 beautifully illustrated pages Emmanuel Breguet describes the life
and work of his ancestor, the brilliant watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet
(1747-1823), with narrative connecting the past to today’s company, Montres
Breguet, helmed by President & CEO Marc A. Hayek.
Readers will discover the life of A.-L. Breguet from his humble beginnings
in France, his rise to become the watchmaker of kings, followed by the French
Revolution and the firm’s aftermath under the Empire. The book covers his
rise not only as a great inventor and artist, and also as an entrepreneur who
distributes his work all throughout Europe, and beyond. A dedicated chapter
pays homage to the actions undertaken by Swatch Group founder, Nicolas G.
Hayek, as the head of the brand from 1999 to 2010.
The second edition of the book “Breguet, Watchmakers Since 1775. The Life
and Legacy of Abraham-Louis Breguet” will be available in all Breguet bou-
tiques worldwide.
Price: Approximately $130.
PRIVATE EQUITY FIRM BUYS 80%
STAKE IN BREITLING
Breitling, one of the few remaining family owned
independent Swiss watchmakers, sold eighty
percent of its shares to the large European-
based private equity firm CVC Capital Partners.
The deal, announced earlier this year, values
the company at more than 800 million euros
($874.6 million). As part of the transaction, fam-
ily patriarch and current majority shareholder
Théodore Schneider will re-invest in the com-
pany and hold a 20% share in Breitling after the
deal is completed. The specific financial terms of
the transaction were not disclosed.
“I am convinced CVC is the right partner
to elevate Breitling to the next level,” said
Schneider, in a statement from CVC Capital
Partners. “CVC’s expertise, track-record and
international network will help unlock Breitling’s
full potential.”
Alexander Dibelius, managing partner and
head of Germany at CVC, added: “Breitling
has a proud heritage, high brand awareness,
and enjoys an excellent reputation as one of
the finest watchmakers in the world. We very
much look forward to working with Théodore
Schneider as we embark on Breitling’s next
chapter of growth.”
SUMMER 2017 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | 23