A Tribute to Timeless Craftsmanship
Honoring a Legacy
In homage to the visionary invention by Breguet's founder on June 26, 1801, Breguet unveils a horological masterpiece that masterfully blends expert craftsmanship with technical sophistication. This new interpretation of the Double Tourbillon is a celebration of the artistic skills meticulously cultivated by the Manufacture.
The Marvel of the Double Tourbillon
Housed in a stunning rose gold case measuring 46 mm in diameter and 16.8 mm in thickness, the complexity of the 588N2 movement, comprising 740 components, vividly demonstrates the expertise required to create this timepiece. The ingenuity of its mechanism is mesmerizing. Observing the watch from the dial reveals the intricate dance of two tourbillons, integral to the time display.
The bar connecting these two tourbillons is attached to a central mainplate that rotates every 12 hours, thanks to an extraordinarily complex mechanism. This component, designed in the brand's characteristic style, also functions as an hours hand.
Exceptional Mechanics and Design
Each tourbillon, powered by its own barrel and gear train, completes a full turn per minute. These mechanisms are connected to a central differential that regulates the watch's rate and, through a third gear train, drives the rotation of the entire mechanism. The sapphire dial, adorned with Roman numerals and an engraved minutes track, impresses with its design. A blue varnish applied to these interstices creates the impression of the chapter ring being suspended above the mechanism. The caseband's vertical flank is engraved with 12 Roman numeral hour-markers, coated with black varnish to represent the shadow of the chapter ring numerals. Paired with a Breguet-embossed midnight blue rubber strap, this timepiece is both elegant and distinctive.
Celebrating Artistic Craftsmanship
This exceptional wristwatch is a work of art, incorporating various artistic crafts.
Guilloché Work
In its dedicated atelier, the Manufacture has developed a new guilloché pattern: radiant flinqué, reminiscent of sound waves. This decoration adorns the rose gold rotating mainplate and the rhodium-plated gold bridge beneath it. Breguet's guilloché work, performed on nearly 30 lathes, is a hallmark of the brand. These lathes, some dating back to the 18th century, are meticulously restored by in-house mechanics. Each has unique features, producing a variety of geometric motifs. Guilloché artisans are trained to execute these intricate patterns on the dial, case, oscillating weight, mainplate, and bridges. Additional decorations include mirror polishing on the tourbillon cages, sunburst patterns on the minutes track, snailing on the differential bridge, and circular graining on the underside of the rotating mainplate.
Engraving
Over a hundred hours are devoted to engraving the back of the movement. This intricate work, hand-engraved by the Manufacture's artisans, depicts an aerial view of Abraham-Louis Breguet's workshop at 39 Quai de l'Horloge. Various techniques, including bas-relief engraving, fine line tracing, and black and white rhodium contrasts, are used to create perspective effects on a gold plate. This artistry showcases the engravers' ability to respect the brand's aesthetic while adding a personal touch.
Chamfering
Every movement part, even those invisible, is chamfered and polished by hand, adhering to Breguet's standards of Haute Horlogerie excellence. This meticulous process involves over 100 hours of work, crafting a multitude of interior and exterior angles. Chamfering, or bevelling, requires great dexterity and precision, highlighting the components' outlines and creating shimmering effects. Breguet is committed to training future chamfering experts in-house to preserve this art form.
Specifications of the Breguet Classique Double Tourbillon Quai de L'horloge 5345
Case: 18K rose gold, sapphire-crystal back, engraved caseband with 12 Roman numerals filled with black varnish
Size: 46 mm
Dial: Sapphire, engraved Roman numerals and minutes track with blue varnish, sapphire disc chapter ring
Hands: Blued steel, hours hand doubling as the upper bridge of one tourbillon
Functions: Hours, minutes
Escapement: Pin-lever escapement, Breguet balance spring
Movement: Double Tourbillon, hand-wound, hand-guilloché and engraved mainplate, Calibre 588N2
Frequency: 2.5 Hz
Power Reserve: 60 hours
Strap: Midnight blue rubber
Discover more about the pinnacle of horological artistry with Breguet's latest creation below, a timeless tribute to the brand's enduring legacy with their Double Tourbillon 5345.
Balance & Bridge
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