Marie Antoinette’s Jeweled Watch Set for UK Debut Exhibition

A watch crafted for Marie Antoinette is scheduled for its inaugural display in the UK, at London’s Science Museum. The No.160 Marie Antoinette timepiece, designed by Abraham-Louis Breguet, incorporates rubies, sapphires, platinum, and gold. It was constructed without budgetary limits and consists of 823 components. Despite being commissioned for the renowned French queen, Marie Antoinette passed away before its completion. This artifact is now slated to be a highlight of the South Kensington museum’s “Versailles: Science And Splendour” exhibition, commencing on 12 December. Marie Antoinette, the final queen of France, was born in Austria in 1755 and subsequently sent to France to marry the future King Louis XVI as a child bride. She was executed by guillotine in 1793 at 37 years old, alongside her husband, during the peak of the French Revolution. Breguet received the commission for the watch in 1783, but its construction was not finalized until 1827, following his demise. Known as “the grand complication,” it is considered the most valuable watch globally and is regarded as a significant pursuit for horologists. The timepiece features a transparent crystal dial, showcasing its internal mechanisms. These mechanisms enable on-demand chimes for the hour, quarter-hour, and minute, incorporate a perpetual calendar adjusted for leap years, include a thermometer, and feature an independent second hand functioning as a stopwatch. The watch was stolen in 1983 and remained missing for over twenty years. Its current presence in London signifies its initial international journey since its secure retrieval and return to the LA Mayer Museum for Islamic Art in 2008. Sir Ian Blatchford, who serves as the director and chief executive of the Science Museum Group, stated: “This glorious watch will thrill visitors to Versailles: Science And Splendour, and is one of the most remarkable items we have ever secured.” He further commented: “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.” David Rooney, author of “About Time: A History Of Civilisation in Twelve Clocks,” characterized the piece as “the world’s most famed watch” and “a true masterpiece.” The exhibition itself intends to guide attendees through a 120-year exploration of scientific development within the royal court at the Palace of Versailles, illustrating how monarchs Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI fostered scientific endeavors and utilized technological progress to bolster France’s standing and broaden its reach. Over 100 artifacts will be showcased, with many making their debut display in the UK. The exhibition is scheduled to conclude on 21 April 2025. Admission tickets are priced at £12, while children aged 11 and below receive free entry. For content from BBC Radio London, listeners can access Sounds, and updates from BBC London are available on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story submissions can be sent to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk. This content is copyrighted by BBC 2024, with all rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the material found on external websites and provides information regarding its policy on external linking.