The tourbillon, Abraham-Louis Breguet's greatest invention, is inseparable from the House's technical expertise. This complex yet poetic mechanism beats its graceful rhythm in the dazzling diamond setting of the new Classique Tourbillon 3358.
Classic Tourbillon 3358
Set with 69 brilliant-cut diamonds (bezel and lugs). 1 rose-cut diamond (crown). White gold tourbillon cage and bridge set with 14 diamonds. Buckle set with 42 brilliant-cut diamonds. Total diamond weight: 407 (approx. 3.2 carats). Manual winding (Cal. 187D). 21 jewels. 18,000 vph. Power reserve: approx. 50 hours. 18KWG case (35mm diameter, 9.3mm thick). Water resistant to 30m. Price: 26,092,000 yen (tax included).
This latest model in the collection embodies the two key elements of the genius of Abraham-Louis Breguet: mechanical performance and refined time display, resulting in a timepiece that combines high precision and legibility. Its technical spirit is synergistically expressed within the piece. The tourbillon housed in the in-house manual-winding movement, Cal. 187D, is surrounded by gold and diamonds, and the various settings, including the captivating snow setting, showcase the skilled craftsmanship of the artist.
Abraham-Louis Breguet Defied Gravity
Born in Neuchâtel, watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet traveled to France at a young age and honed his skills under such great watchmakers as Ferdinand Berthoud and Jean-Antoine Lépine. Meanwhile, under the guidance of Father Joseph-François-Marie, he developed a passion for science, including mathematics and physics. Fueled by his Cartesian talents, Abraham-Louis Breguet opened a workshop on the Île de la Cité in the heart of Paris and devoted himself to the pursuit of mechanics and technological innovation. One of his inventions, considered a cornerstone of modern watchmaking, is the tourbillon regulator. This mechanism, named after an astronomical reference, incorporates all elements of the escapement on a moving part that rotates around an independent axis. Abraham-Louis Breguet, who patented the tourbillon on June 26, 1801, stated that the purpose of the invention was to counteract the effects of gravity, which disrupt the accuracy of pocket watches, thereby reducing time errors.
In-house Cal.187D Tourbillon
The Classique Tourbillon 3358 is powered by the Caliber 187D manual-winding movement, crafted at Breguet's Manufacture in Lorient, in the Vallée de Joux, Switzerland. Constructed of 187 components and set with 21 jewels, this high-performance movement features a Breguet stainless steel balance spring and runs at a gentle 18,000 vibrations per hour. When fully wound, it boasts a power reserve of approximately 50 hours. Featuring contemporary finishes, the in-house Caliber 187D movement features a tourbillon regulator, a famous invention conceived by Abraham-Louis Breguet more than two centuries ago. Like a metronome, it rotates once per minute, maintaining its accuracy regardless of the watch's orientation. The Classique Tourbillon 3358 features a circular opening at the bottom of the dial, framed by a white gold oval ring, offering a view of the tourbillon.
The slightly curved, polished gold bridge supporting the tourbillon is paved with diamonds like a ribbon. The case back is fitted with sapphire crystal, and the lustrous decoration on the baseplate is the result of meticulous pointillism, applied by hand with a diamond-tipped tool. The reflections and reliefs created by the delicate recesses evoke the grey-white surface of the moon. Despite undergoing the same process, each timepiece is endowed with a unique character by the artisan, resulting in a one-of-a-kind appearance.
Infinite Loop in Diamonds and Mother of Pearl
To harmonize with the rhythmic rotation of the regulator, the centre of the dial is covered with a brilliant-cut diamond, snow-set by artisans. Using diamonds of six different diameters, artisans individually set the precious stones in an irregular pattern on the gold disc. The diamonds are densely packed so that the underlying metal is not visible, creating a dazzling spectacle on the face of the Classic Tourbillon 3358.
The diamonds arcing along the flange begin at an oval opening at 6 o'clock and continue to an off-center natural white mother-of-opal chapter ring at 12 o'clock. The iridescent chapter ring features an hour track with black Breguet numerals, above which two delicate Breguet hands with perforated tips in blued steel indicate the hours.
Completing this harmony of light is the 35mm diameter 18K white gold case. With a refined silhouette and a thickness of 9.3mm, the case is adorned with brilliant-cut diamonds on the bezel and lugs. The coin-edge caseband features a crown set with a rose diamond. The new Classic Tourbillon 3358 is presented on a sky blue alligator leather strap with a diamond-set gold triple folding buckle.
Notable details
Finally, let's introduce the details.
