Breguet’s Classique Tourbillon 3358 Revives a Legacy of Excellence

Breguet commemorates its luxurious heritage with the Classique Tourbillon 3358, honoring its noble history and groundbreaking inception.

A Breguet tourbillon wristwatch is arguably the quintessential tourbillon. Founder Abraham-Louis Breguet secured a patent for the mechanism in 1801. A gem-set tourbillon wristwatch, exemplified by the Classique Tourbillon 3358, introduces an extravagant element that recalls the watchmaker's historical association with both the Capetian and Bonaparte dynasties. Unveiled late last year, this timepiece exemplifies a remarkable amalgamation of technical innovation and exquisite jewellery artistry, honoring the heritage of Breguet and embodying a revolutionary ethos. The current press statement from Breguet asserts that reference 3358 constitutes a work of art; yet, this remains a matter of personal interpretation for you, esteemed reader.

Central to the Classique Tourbillon 3358, positioned at 6 o’clock, is the tourbillon, which mitigates timekeeping discrepancies induced by gravitational effects on the hairspring. This latest invention features a tourbillon integrated inside Breguet’s in-house caliber 187D, a manually wound movement composed of 187 precisely engineered components (there is no evidence that the calibre designation references the number of components). The movement operates at a frequency of 2.5 Hz, equating to 18,000 vibrations per hour, embodying the brand's historic watchmaking principles; this calibre, utilized in other Classique references, does not incorporate a silicon hairspring.

The design of the 3358 is as captivating as its engineering. The watch, encased in white gold, is adorned with diamonds, exuding an air of sophisticated luxury. The dial, crafted from white gold, is converted into a radiant surface by the incorporation of 281 brilliant-cut diamonds, employing the distinctive “snow-setting” technique for the subdial positioned at noon. This elaborate technique, which organizes the diamonds in exact, overlapping rows, imparts a luminous look to the subdial akin to a starlit sky. The eccentric hour ring made of genuine white mother-of-pearl, highlighted by black Breguet numerals and paired with open-tipped hands in blued steel, guarantees both legibility and visual harmony.

The fluted crown, embellished with a rose-cut diamond, accentuates the model’s opulent features, while a sapphire crystal case back with an anti-reflective coating safeguards and displays the elaborately designed movement inside.

In a market such as Singapore, where accuracy and elegance are highly valued, the Classique Tourbillon 3358 establishes a new benchmark. By integrating historical significance with modern design, Breguet has once more produced a timepiece that honors the brilliance of Abraham-Louis Breguet while showcasing the brand's other essential abilities.

Movement: Manual caliber 187D including a tourbillon; 50-hour power reserve

Case: 35mm in white gold (gem-encrusted bezel, lugs, and crown); water-resistant up to 30m

Strap: Azure leather

Cost: USD 248,000