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Timeline

1830 - Keyless winding

Keyless winding

The first watches to be equipped with a winding crown were produced by Antoine-Louis Breguet. On 30 December 1830, Breguet sold to Comte Charles de L’Espine watch no.4952, equipped with a knurled button in the pendant which fulfilled two functions: setting the hands and rewinding the watch. The modern winding crown was born. Breguet’s son did not patent this revolutionary device at the time.

Breguet half-quarter-repeating watch No.4288, one of the very first watches with a winding crown, or keyless winding, just above the pendant. Sold on 31 October 1836 to Mr Theodor Yermolov.

 

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