A watch made for Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, is going on display at London’s Science Museum.
The watch features rubies, sapphires, platinum and gold. It has 823 parts and had no budget.
Unfortunately, Marie Antoinette was guillotined before the watch was completed.
The watch will go on display as part of the Versailles: Science And Splendour exhibition. The exhibition will open on 12 December.
The watch was commissioned to Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1783, but it wasn’t completed until after his death in 1827. It is thought to be the most valuable watch in the world. It was stolen in 1983 and was missing for over 20 years. It was returned to the LA Mayer Museum for Islamic Art in 2008.
Sir Ian Blatchford, director and chief executive of the Science Museum Group, said: “This glorious watch will thrill visitors to Versailles: Science And Splendour, and is one of the most remarkable items we have ever secured. Even in the smallest details, the watch perfectly encapsulates meticulous engineering and a dedication to knowledge and beauty, ideals which are echoed throughout our exhibition and at Versailles itself.”
The exhibition will run until 21 April 2025. Plan your visit here.
Be the first to comment