June 26, 1801. A date that might go unnoticed by many, but one that marked a decisive turning point in watchmaking history. It was on that day that Abraham-Louis Breguet was granted a patent for his most famous invention: the tourbillon. Today synonymous with technical excellence and a symbol of haute horology, it revolutionized the industry at the time, pushing the boundaries of precision to new horizons.
224 years later, the Maison celebrates that moment with the launch of the Breguet Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255, the fourth chapter in its 250th anniversary celebrations. A timepiece that encapsulates all the brand’s savoir-faire, paying homage to its founder’s most representative invention with unprecedented technical innovations.
A classic aesthetic
Aesthetically, it is well known for its classic and elegant design, which is echoed in this model as well. The dial shows a small sub-dial for time indication placed at 12 o’clock, while at 6 o’clock opens the window housing the flying tourbillon, apparently suspended in the void. It is precisely this absence of visible support that gives the complication a“mysterious” character, to which we will return shortly.
Made in a limited series of 50 pieces, the Classique Tourbillon Sidéral features a 38 mm Breguet gold case-a balanced, refined size that can be worn on any wrist. The gold is not limited to the case, but also covers the movement and hands, creating a sophisticated contrast with the aventurine dial.
Used for the first time by the Maison, aventurine offers the visual effect of a starry night sky. Against the deep blue background – made with gran fumé enamel – copper fragments create shimmering reflections, making each piece unique and unrepeatable. A poetic representation of time flowing beneath the celestial vault.
The Flying Tourbillon
Like every Breguet creation, the heart of the watch is the movement. The Maison’s technical vocation is expressed here with a new flying tourbillon dubbed “mysterious” because of its apparent absence of visible links.
Looking at the aperture at 6 o’clock, one immediately notices that the tourbillon appears to float without any point of support. This effect is made possible by an anti-reflective sapphire crystal backing, which gives transparency and lightness to the structure, without compromising stability and precision.
This is a true demonstration of Breguet’s ability to innovate even on what it invented. More than two centuries later, the Maison continues to reinvent the tourbillon with a mastery that combines tradition and avant-garde.
Why Sideral?
The name Sidéral is not chosen at random. Besides recalling the visual aspect of the dial, it refers to an idea of cosmic, universal time, regulated by the motion of the stars. Sidereal, in astronomy, is time measured according to the passage of the fixed stars relative to the meridian, and is therefore a symbol of absolute and regular precision.
The tourbillon, which was created to counteract the mechanical irregularities associated with Earth’s gravity, is here metaphorically elevated to a measure of celestial time.
The art of finishing according to Breguet
In the Breguet tradition, every detail of the watch is attended to with the utmost craftsmanship. But in this model we also find significant innovations on the aesthetic front.
The open back reveals a new guilloché decoration called Quai de l’Horloge, inspired by the natural islands of Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis in the heart of the Seine in Paris. This motif is applied for the first time in circular form on the carrure and tourbillon support, and in linear form on the entire movement plate.
The classic case fluting, straight lugs and typical Breguet “pomme évidée” hands complete the picture.
Conclusions and price
The price of this masterpiece is €225,900.
An important value, certainly, but one that reflects the uniqueness of a timepiece that does not represent a point of departure, but of arrival. In this watch we find all the know-how of Breguet, which takes its knowledge to the highest level, enhancing its Master complication: the tourbillon, not only the symbol of the Maison, but the fulcrum around which the entire history of modern watchmaking revolves.
Did you guys know the “mystery” complication?
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