Breguet pays homage to the iconic Year of the Dragon by introducing two new watches crafted with the utmost precision by its in-house experts. The dragon, symbolizing power, courage, nobility, tenacity, and success in Chinese culture, inspired the creation of these exceptional timepieces.
Classique 5345 Double Tourbillon Year of the Dragon
Technical Excellence and Artistry
In response to the challenges posed by gravity on watch movement regularity, Abraham-Louis Breguet introduced the tourbillon on June 26, 1801, a horological innovation that has captivated enthusiasts ever since. The brand has evolved this concept over time, reaching a pinnacle with the introduction of the first double tourbillon in 2006. This unique interpretation features two tourbillons connected to a differential, integral to the time display.
The central rotating plate, housing the two tourbillons, sets the hours hand in motion, serving as the upper bridge for one tourbillon and extending as a bridge for the second. Linked by a differential mechanism, these tourbillons operate independently, each completing one rotation per minute via its own gear train and barrel.
The mesmerizing Calibre 588N1, a hand-wound movement with 749 components, a 60-hour power reserve, and a 2.5 Hz frequency, breathes life into this intricate mechanism. Breguet’s expertise is showcased through the sapphire crystal caseback, revealing an allegorical decoration combining guilloché and engraving, skillfully executed by the artisans at the Manufacture Horlogère in the Vallée de Joux.
A Timepiece of Intricate Details
In this version, a gold dragon, entirely hand-engraved, gracefully twirls between the two tourbillons. Clutching a mother-of-pearl pearl in its talons, the dragon is believed to hold the sacred essence that empowers it and symbolizes wisdom. The rhodium-plated gold rotating plate, adorned with a fan motif, and the gold bridge with anthracite galvanic treatment and Clous de Paris hobnail motif showcase Breguet’s meticulous craftsmanship.
Luxury in Every Detail
Attention to detail defines luxury in these watches. Roman numerals and a minute track on the sapphire hour-circle are laser-engraved and coated with black varnish. The flange features 12 Roman numeral hour-markers, engraved and filled with black varnish, representing the shadow of the numerals on the chapter ring.
Furthermore, Breguet offers a personalized touch to each client, allowing customization of the dragon’s shape and color, as well as the Roman numerals, hands, and strap color from a range of Breguet designs.
Breguet Classique 7145 Year of the Dragon
Dial Adorned with Artistic Crafts
The expertise of Breguet’s artisans is fully showcased in this innovative creation. The crimson red dial, featuring subtle variations between the chapter ring and the center, is a testament to the rarely practiced Grand Feu enameling technique. This ancient skill demands exceptional virtuosity to master a wide spectrum of colors and achieve refined nuances. In this meticulous process, the artisan applies a mixture of silica and oxides to the watch face, followed by multiple firings in a high-temperature kiln where the enamel ignites and melds under the heat. It’s a delicate operation with the constant risk of the dial breaking.
The dragon, standing regally on the dial, is an entirely hand-engraved rose gold appliqué. This mythical creature, adopting a majestic stance, keeps a vigilant eye on its pearl, crafted from natural white mother-of-pearl. The Roman numerals, minute track, and clouds display a captivating golden powder-pink hue. The chapter ring is subtly marked by 12 round gold hour-markers, and Breguet’s signature open-tipped hands indicate the time.
A Exquisitely Crafted Mechanism
Encased in a 40 mm-diameter rose gold case, one of Breguet’s slimmest at just 2.40 mm thick, is the Calibre 502.3. This self-winding movement, comprising 162 components, provides the timepiece with a 45-hour power reserve. It features a balance-spring and pallet-lever made of silicon, a material known for its resistance to corrosion and wear, insensitivity to magnetic fields, and enhancement of timepiece precision. The gold oscillating weight, hand-guillochéd with a circular barleycorn motif, is visible through the sapphire crystal caseback, adding a touch of elegance to the highly refined mechanism.
For more information, please visit Breguet.com.