One of the official watchmakers to the Kings of France

Having inherited his grandfather’s watchmaking genius, Louis-Frédéric Perrelet showed an aptitude for mechanics and mathematics at a very early age. Born near Le Locle on 14 May, 1781, he went to Paris to study under Abraham- Louis Breguet. He lost no time in making a name for himself as an independent watchmaker, thanks to an astronomical clock designed in 1815 and presented at the World Exhibition of 1823. Louis-Frédéric Perrelet went on to become an official watchmaker to three French Kings: Louis XVIII, Charles X and Louis-Philippe.
His inventions included marine clocks with measuring instruments, and he patented the first split-second chronograph in 1827. The models produced for the 1834 Exhibition led him to be appointed Knight of the Legion of Honour in light of his talent and perseverance.