The tourbillon, the most emblematic of the Breguet founder’s inventions, signs a new model within the Marine collection.
The Invention:
On June 26, 1801, Abraham-Louis Breguet, a brilliant mind with a passion for both science and horology, officially introduced the tourbillon. His inspiration stemmed from the recognition that the relentless force of Earth’s gravity posed a challenge to the accuracy of watch movements, particularly as timepieces were traditionally worn vertically. Gravity’s influence led to irregularities in timekeeping. In response to this terrestrial challenge, the founder of the House of Breguet conceived the ingenious idea of housing the entire escapement within a mobile carriage that completed one full rotation every minute. This innovation systematically reproduced and offset timing errors. Moreover, the constant change in the point of contact between the balance pivots and their jeweled bearings ensured improved lubrication. This innovative concept marked the birth of the tourbillon. Over 220 years later, this horological mechanism continues to captivate as one of the most remarkable creations in watchmaking. Breguet pays homage to this enduring invention by incorporating it into its Marine collection.
The Movement:
Within the 42.5 mm case resides the self-winding Calibre 581, an exceptionally slim movement measuring a mere 3 mm in thickness and comprising 330 components. This remarkable thinness is achieved by utilizing a peripheral rotor. The balance oscillates at a frequency of 4 Hertz and boasts an impressive power reserve of 80 hours. To stay at the forefront of innovation, the calibre is equipped with a carriage and balance-spring made of silicon, a material known for its resistance to corrosion, wear, and immunity to magnetic field interference. The intricate finishing of this movement in the new Breguet watch is showcased through the sapphire case-back, where a barrel drum featuring a compass rose and various Marine collection-themed decorations, including a straight ribbed motif, can be observed.
Aesthetics:
The sunburst dial of the new 5577 references is slate-grey in the rose gold version and navy blue in the platinum model. The tourbillon, positioned at 5 o’clock, is an attention-grabber with its cage rotating every 60 seconds. The off-center chapter ring is designed to accentuate this captivating mechanism, and the luminescent hour markers and open-tipped gold Breguet hands enhance readability.
History:
Abraham-Louis Breguet, celebrated as an outstanding scientist and technician, became closely associated with the French Navy in 1814 when he was appointed a member of the Bureau des Longitudes by royal decree. Among the bureau’s responsibilities was addressing challenges related to using astronomical methods for determining longitude at sea. A year later, King Louis XVIII honored him with the prestigious title of Chronometer Maker by appointment to the Royal Navy. From then on, Breguet’s timekeeping systems accompanied the fleets of the most renowned explorers. This new timepiece is a dual tribute to the brand’s founder, reflecting strong connections to both maritime navigation and astronomy.
For more information, please visit Breguet.com.