Baselworld 2013: Breguet novelties between innovation and tradition

Breguet Classic Tourbillon extra-flat Automatic 5377

To pay tribute to the most iconic invention of its founder Breguet makes a point of honour to stage the tourbillon in several models. Similarly, the brand strives to offer a wide range of ultra-thin timekeepers. Yet, until now, these two worlds had not met. This is now done with the 5377 reference, which provides a mechanical tourbillon movement with automatic winding in an extra-flat case. Its classic design, quenched in the Breguet DNA, will undoubtedly delight fans of stylish but discreet timekeepers. Three different handmade guilloches underline the asymmetry of the elements present on the dial. If the tourbillon is particularly highlighted, with its complete rotation in 60 seconds acting as small seconds, the power reserve indicator is not to be outdone; its lines parallel to the tourbillon’s bridge emphasize its importance. Indeed, thanks to a patented barrel and despite a 4 Hz frequency – rather high for a tourbillon-  the power reserve reaches 90 hours. Finally, the eccentric display of hours and minutes completes this timekeeper whose case is 42mm in diameter and water resistant to 30 meters.

Reine de Naples Jour-Nuit

Sweet, sparkling, poetic, this Reine de Naples is all of it and much more. Indeed, to the sweetness of the oval case, characteristic of this collection, adds the mastery of Breguet in terms of decorative arts: crimping of 143 diamonds on the bezel and on the flange, handmade guilloche "flame" for the dial and "grains of barley" for the border, but most notably an astral universe put in scene through a lapis-lazuli sky, clouds in natural pearl, golden stars and a hand engraved titanium moon. If the lower dial displays hours and minutes, the poetic impulse is expressed on the top. In fact, Breguet offers to women a day/night complication designed only for them,  seeing the balance, representing the sun, covering the top dial, such as a love ride with the moon. Water-resistant to 30 meters, this watch is equipped with a mechanical automatic movement whose oscillating weight has been engraved in gold to evokethe rays of the sun.

Breguet Classic Chronograph 5287

With this model, Breguet pays tribute to the 2320 caliber, a chronograph movement with manual winding whose precision and aesthetics are legendary. Incidentally the reliability of this chronograph with column wheel has prompted many brands to use it. Therefore Breguet had to give it a case to match its reputation. It is now done, with this new model having a very classic design, with hours and minutes hands in the centre and counter-seconds with double hands at 9 o’clock. Once the timer switches on, the measurements are made thanks to the large seconds hand at the centre, a minute counter at 3 o'clock and a tachymeter scale on the edge of the dial. Various guilloches decorate this timepiece equipped with power reserve of 48 hours and water resistant to 30 meters. To improve the wearing comfort, Breguet accompanies this model with a leather strap featuring a 3 blades buckle clasp.

Breguet Classic La Musicale 7800

There are variations that have nothing to envy from new products. The Classic La Musicale model represented in itself an exceptional piece, able to play a complex melody on demand or on schedule. But the new version has not only a new decorated dial, but also a new melody. More specifically the "Badinerie", which is none other than the last movement of the orchestral suite No. 2 in B minor by Johann Sebastian Bach. If the dial of this timepiece displays the hours, minutes and seconds at the centre, a power reserve indicator at 3 o'clock and also an indicator of the functioning of the melody between 9 and 10 o'clock, it is by the handmade guilloche that it differs significantly, since the “diamond” pattern used herein allows to capture the light at different angles in order to obtain optical effects. The dial, rotating when the melody is on, is then animated with shimmering colours. Water resistant to 30 meters, this watch has a mechanical movement with automatic winding.

Breguet Classic Reserve de marche 5277

If this timepiece impresses with its elegant and classic design, one should not neglect the embedded innovation. Indeed, the inventive spirit that characterizes the brand is expressed in many areas and, in collaboration with Nivarox, it has designed mainsprings in a new type of stainless steel which allows to store more energy in the same volume thanks to higher mechanical performance. The result thus leads several advantages, including improved power reserve, which reaches 96 hours for this watch. Displaying hours and minutes in the middle, the small second at 6 o’clock and a power reserve indicator between 1 and 2 o’clock, this timepiece is equipped with a mechanical movement with manual winding and is water resistant to 30 meters. Note that the innovations designed for this watch are planed to equip further Swatch Group brands.

Breguet Type XXII 3880 in pink gold

A real revolution when it was created, the Type XXII was the first series chronograph with a 10Hz frequency. Thanks to its silicon balance spring, this watch opened new possibilities. With the second hand making a full rotation in 30 seconds for measuring short time intervals, this chronograph seduced as much by its aesthetics as by its accuracy and resolving power.

Previously available in a steel case, Breguet presents this year a pink gold version, tribute to the importance of this piece. Although this new version retains the aggressiveness of its sporty design, the meeting of rose gold and brown dial gives it a warm and elegant look, distinguishing it from its steel counterpart. The indications are always clearly readable with display of hours and minutes in the centre, 30 seconds at 9 o'clock and a second time zone and a date aperture at 6 o'clock. When the chronograph is switched on, the central seconds hand glides on the 30 seconds dial while the central minute hand indicates the ½ minutes. Finally, a 24-hour indicator is located at 3 o'clock. Equipped with a self-winding mechanical movement, the Type XXII has a fly-back function and its power reserve reaches 40 hours.