Breguet and Monte Cristo, a story of time and revenge

The Count of Monte Cristo, which will be released on June 28, tells a timeless story of love, betrayal and revenge. Like all of Alexandre Dumas’s works, it can be read and reread forever, even if school curricula do not pay them enough respect and are undoubtedly considered too moral and popular in these uncertain times. Even though we know the plot twists by heart and understand Edmond Dantes’s love for love that gradually descends into the darkness of his thirst for revenge, we return to it again and again. Even if it means putting that old, faded, thousand-page paperback on the shelf and finally buying an edition of Alexandre Dumas’s novel La Pléiade.

But this work, now adapted again for film, is above all a story of time. The moments that are stolen from you, the moments you will never be able to experience, and the time you have left to make those who betray you and steal your happiness pay. We all know the story: the young Edmond Dantès is the victim of a conspiracy and is arrested on his wedding day for a crime he did not commit. After fourteen years of imprisonment in the Chateau d’If, he manages to escape. Having become incredibly rich, he returns as the Count of Monte Cristo to take revenge on the three men who betrayed him. To interpret its darkness over time, both in terms of costumes and morality, Pierre Niney does an excellent job in his acting and transformation. After all, like Monte Cristo, who, actor or obscure, would not have part of his life hidden behind a mask?

Throughout the 19th century, as at the end of the last century, the watches created in Paris by Abraham-Louis Breguet and his sons, worn by all the powerful men of the world, had changed dramatically. Monarchs, emperors, generals, captains of industry… owning and wearing a Breguet watch was in itself a sign of success and social status. For sailors, captains, ship owners, owning a marine chronometer was equally important. In this context, how can we be surprised to see Alexandre Dumas mention the brand in his book published in 1845? Danglars, the ruthless and dishonest captain, upstart turned ship owner, wears his: “Tenglar’s watch, a Breguet masterpiece, he wound it carefully the day before his departure, and it struck half past five in the morning”Alexandre Dumas wrote.

“We can enter the world of Breguet through many ways. Emmanuel Breguet, Breguet’s vice president of heritage and marketing, said during a preview of the film in Paris, where co-directors Mathieu Delaporte and Alexandre de la Patellière were also present.. We can do it through science and technology, through aesthetics and design, through great historical figures… but we can also do it through literature. Here’s something we may not know: Breguet is probably the watchmaker most cited by the greatest writers. Balzac, Pushkin, Stendhal, Hugo and of course Alexandre Dumas with his masterpiece The Count of Monte Cristo. I checked the archives: Breguet doesn’t seem to have sent him a watch! » Another passage in the book also highlights Breguet watches: “Master Pastrini drew from his pocket a fine Breguet watch, on which was engraved the name of the maker, the hallmark of Paris, and the crown of the Count. “There,” he said. “Pest,” said Albert, “I admire it; I have one nearly the same. » He took the watch from his waistcoat. “It cost me three thousand francs.”

What could be more logical than to link a Breguet creation to the film in which Pierre Niney plays the hero of Alexandre Dumas, when the author himself is talking about it? Thus, in the office where the shipowner Morrel appointed Edmond Dantès as the youngest captain of Marseille, we can recognize a vintage marine chronometer that the brand has borrowed. “At the time, the marine chronometer was a second compass for sailors. The one in the office of shipowner Morel is the original.” Emmanuel Breguet recalled“When we were adapting the novel with Alexandre, we noticed Breguet appearing in the book several times. Mathieu Delaporte explains. We asked our team if we could move closer to the house. There are many references in the book to time and the relationship with time. It is also related to the navy. Monte Cristo himself said that he had only one opponent and that was time. We chose to have Pierre Niney Monte-Cristo always wear a watch. It reminds us of the time that has passed, the time that he must take revenge, and the time that has passed. He is a man who has been imprisoned for many years and returns for revenge. The passage of time, life without time, is omnipresent in the book and the sea is also very important to us. This is one of the rare French houses that existed at that time. Breguet is truly a pioneer. »

Thus, depending on the scene, we can see the Count of Monte Cristo checking the time on his Breguet pocket watch or noticing a watch stand on the table on which he disguises himself. “These were important elements when we were designing the costumes for the characters with the team and with Pierre. Alexandre de la Patellière designated. We looked for jewelry and rings for the Count of Monte Cristo. He also lived with this watch. These are things that mark the character and help build the character, help build the actor’s imagination. Beyond that, it’s also a magnificent object. These objects have withstood the test of time and are still magnificent. »

“Pierre Niney’s watch is a replica we built for the film”Emmanuel Breguet is designated by the way. All that remains is to go to the cinema to see this excellent French feature film and rediscover the joy of frequenting the cinema with the family, and then return to Alexandre Dumas’s more complex novel, realizing that it occupies time that has passed, time that has been lost and time that we have left. Wait and hope, these are the last words that Monte Cristo says to Mercedes before he disappears again. A beautiful lifeline to follow, romantic and moving, if you still have the time and courage.