Inside Edition - Marie Antoinette's Bejeweled Watch Found After 20 Years
The Marie Antoinette watch, crafted by Swiss watchmaker Breguet, is a masterpiece of horological art and technology. Commissioned in 1783, it was not completed until 1827, long after Marie Antoinette's execution in 1793. This watch, now displayed at the Science Museum in London, was designed without budgetary constraints, resulting in a luxurious piece adorned with sapphires and rubies. It features advanced functions for its time, such as a stopwatch, thermometer, shock absorber, self-winding mechanism, and calendar. The watch's components are made from premium materials, including gold and platinum, with a rock crystal face. Despite being stolen in 1983, it was recovered nearly two decades later, preserving its status as a symbol of sophistication and elegance.
Key Points:
- The Marie Antoinette watch was commissioned in 1783 and completed in 1827, long after her execution.
- It features advanced functions like a stopwatch, thermometer, shock absorber, self-winding mechanism, and calendar.
- The watch is made from luxurious materials, including gold, platinum, and rock crystal, and is adorned with sapphires and rubies.
- Designed without budgetary constraints, it symbolizes sophistication and elegance.
- Stolen in 1983, the watch was recovered nearly two decades later and is now displayed at the Science Museum in London.