Breguet marks the 220th anniversary of the tourbillon with a simple, classic, and exquisite Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Anniversaire 5365 timepiece

The year 2021 marks the 220th anniversary of the tourbillon. Invented in 1801 by Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1801, the tourbillon was developed as a “watch compensating for all of the inequalities that may be found in the balance wheel and mainspring”. With this, Breguet opened up a whole new world of precision, stability, and elegance in fine horology.

To commemorate the anniversary, Breguet unveils the Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Anniversaire 5365. Limited to just 35 pieces (the total number of tourbillon watches that Abraham-Louis Brgeut developed in his lifetime), the newly released watch honours the technological innovation of the complication and the visionary genius of the master-watchmaker.

Timeless, elegant, and technologically advanced, the Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Anniversaire 5365 is a true example of the brand’s DNA and high standards. 

Crafted in a 41mm rose gold case, the watch features an 18K signature engine-turned-silvered gold dial produced in four parts and following two different themes; Clous de Paris and grain d’orge. The former takes up the entire central part of the dial, while the latter offers a “barley grain” motif that sits on the dial’s periphery. The use of two different themes on the dial provides several advantages. The uneven dial surface allows the capture of light in various ways that give the dial a more matte finish and enable the different reading zones on the dial to be marked. Secondly, an engine-turned-dial or surface ensures better resistance against corrosion and scratches. 

Apart from these motifs, the dial also houses two central blued steel off-centre open tipped hands, or most commonly called Breguet Hands. Anniversary markers include a 60-second tourbillon sitting comfortably between 4 and 6 o’clock with the piece’s upper bridge in blued steel, and the words Breguet No 157 engraved above the tourbillon. This engraving refers to the patent number awarded to Abraham-Louis Breguet for his invention. This tribute is repeated on the rear of the piece via the engraving ‘Anniversaire 1801–2021’ on the barrel and ‘Brevet No 157 Du 7 Messidor An IX’ upon the lower bridge of the tourbillon, alongside the unique number of each piece. 

Working within the anniversary piece is Breguet’s Caliber 581, which has a power reserve of 80 hours, and beats at a frequency of 4 Hz. The Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Anniversaire 5365 is available in a brown leather strap with a triple clasp buckle.