Since the birth of the Swiss watchmaking brand Breguet in 1775, Abraham-Louis Breguet has revolutionized watchmaking with his innovative spirit and exceptional skills. Monsieur Breguet not only pursued chronometric precision with a rigorous scientific attitude, but also injected his own artistic and creative inspiration into his inventions, which also provided endless inspiration for future generations of watchmakers, so that the name of Breguet and the creation of the tourbillon will forever be immortalized in the history books. Among the many inventions, the creation of the tourbillon marked a major leap forward in Haute Horlogerie and made the Breguet brand known worldwide.
Breguet Classique 5345 Double Tourbillon Clock Embankment
The design of the tourbillon is inspired by the orderly beauty of the cosmic stars, reflecting Mr. Breguet's profound insight into the universe. With each minute of rotation, the tourbillon seems to depict the dance of the planets around the stars, weaving together the laws of the movement of celestial bodies with the passage of time. This design is not only reflected in the physical form, but also in Mr. Breguet's love of astronomy and reverence for the laws of nature. As the observer gazes at the rotation of the tourbillon, he or she feels a dialogue that transcends time and enters the larger realm of time created by Monsieur Breguet.
The history of the tourbillon dates back to 1795, when Monsieur Breguet studied the influence of gravity on the precision of watches, proposing to combine mechanical precision with artistic elegance by concentrating the balance, balance spring and escapement in a rotating cage, compensating for the errors caused by changes in position. On June 26, 1801, this epoch-making regulating mechanism was patented and exhibited for the first time at the 1806 National Exhibition of Industry in Paris, shocking the entire watchmaking world. The creation of the Breguet Tourbillon is not only a compensation for all deviations in the balance wheel and the hairspring, but also a tribute to Monsieur Breguet's watchmaking art.
Breguet Classique Tourbillon 3358 – Tourbillon detail
As the inventor of the tourbillon, Breguet is committed to innovating and evolving tourbillon mechanisms, and to date there are as many as 52 tourbillon products, each of which tells the story of Breguet's brainchild. From the early days of the single tourbillon to today's breathtaking double tourbillon, they have woven a legend of time and art. The ultra-thin tourbillon, on the other hand, is a clever breakthrough in technology, showing how complications can be achieved in a confined space. The tourbillon with a sesame chain cleverly solves the problem of stability in power transmission, combining ancient watchmaking techniques with modern techniques. The Equation of Time Tourbillon is a functional feat that embodies the essence of astronomy in a unique way, allowing the wearer to perceive the natural rhythms of heaven and earth. The brand has also launched a rare tourbillon watch for women, showcasing its exceptional construction and exceptional beauty.
Brilliant starry sky and charming machinery
In 2023, Breguet presents one of the few women's watches with a tourbillon: the Classique Tourbillon 3358. The mother-of-pearl dial of the white gold model is covered with midnight blue varnish and the sparkling diamonds sparkle like a galaxy. The dial features a polished aperture at 6 o'clock, which resembles a curved stage with a panoramic view of the tourbillon. A meteor arm of 45 snow-set diamonds spans the tourbillon, with a blue spinel in the centre as the axis of the tourbillon's cage. From both the front and back of the watch, you can see the tourbillon in action. The tourbillon in pink gold is located at the bottom of the dial and is integrated into the polished oval curved aperture, while the 14-diamond gold front axle is rounded. The cool grey tones contrast with the warm pink tones of the components, which are a striking contrast to the tourbillon's fascinating mechanism.
Breguet Classique Tourbillon 3358
In the history of the tourbillon, from the original keyword "technology", Breguet expanded the concept of the tourbillon to "art", and this transformation is vividly reflected in the 3358 tourbillon. Designed for women, this model not only functionally demonstrates the intricacies of the tourbillon, but also creates an aesthetic feast for the eyes. Its enlarged skeleton tourbillon aperture provides a spacious stage where every rotation and dance of the tourbillon is clearly visible.
Creation inventions work exquisitely
In Breguet's vast tourbillon universe, the Marine 5577 Tourbillon is powered by the Calibre 581 ultra-thin automatic movement, one of the thinnest movements in the brand, with a thickness of just 3 mm. A special feature of this watch is the off-centre scale ring, which rotates the tourbillon cage at 5 o'clock every 60 seconds, which is cleverly integrated with the seconds function, revealing the tourbillon's unique charm in motion and attracting attention at all times. Designed to complement the movement, despite the case diameter of 42.5 mm, its ultra-thin design and clean dial structure give this watch a slim and elegant look.
Breguet Marine 5577 Tourbillon
The Marine 5577 Tourbillon features a more subtle sunburst finish that allows the viewer's eye to immediately focus on the tourbillon mechanism, with a smoky grey dial in pink gold and navy blue in platinum. The delicate finishing of the watch movement can be seen in full swing, and the iconic design elements of the Marine collection, such as straight ribbing, are all present in the movement. A modern take on the ancient complication of the tourbillon by the Breguet brand.
Exquisite mechanics and deep aesthetics
As one of Breguet's most iconic tourbillons of modern times, the Double Tourbillon pays tribute to this extraordinary masterpiece created by Abraham-Louis Breguet on the "Clock Embankment", and Breguet has created a monumental movement in every inch with the Classique Classic 5345 Double Tourbillon Clock Embankment. The best of this timepiece is a combination of mechanical prowess and aesthetic prowess: the fully exposed movement shows two tourbillon mechanisms driving the entire bridge through a central differential.
Breguet Classique 5345 Double Tourbillon Clock Embankment
The watch is driven by two independent tourbillons, each of which completes one rotation per minute. In this way, the interlinked adjustment mechanism achieves a double rotation that drives the tourbillon bridge – a bold design that acts as an hour hand. The visual presentation of the watch is extraordinary, characterised by the fact that the movement components are made of gold, similar to those used in grand complication timepieces in the past, a tradition that is now almost non-existent, a tradition that Breguet is committed to perpetuating, just as it is to its master craftsmen. This watch is a testament to Breguet's savoir-faire, particularly the hand-engraved caseback, which vividly depicts the building that Abraham-Louis Breguet bought on the Horlogerie Embankment in Paris.
Although modern technological advances have provided other ways to ensure precision, Breguet's tourbillon remains a watchmaking marvel. It is a great technological innovation and a work of art that respects the elegant time, and is a key milestone in the history of the Breguet brand. From astronomy to humanity, the tourbillon has witnessed a pivotal moment in the development of European culture, and Breguet pays homage to this great invention with its timepieces, which continue to celebrate the order of the universe and the melody of time with its timeless beauty.
About Breguet
Since its founding in 1775, Breguet has not only meant exceptional watchmaking, but has also been an important part of European heritage. Breguet timepieces have been worn by prominent historical figures, and the famous Breguet archives record the sale of all timepieces from the end of the 18th century to the present day. Today, Breguet watchmakers continue to create unique pieces that reflect the rich heritage of the Maison. www.breguet.com