Few inventions have shaped fine watchmaking quite like the tourbillon. First patented by Abraham-Louis Breguet on 26 June 1801, the ingenious mechanism was created to improve the precision of mechanical timepieces by counteracting the effects of gravity. Now, exactly 225 years later, Breguet is commemorating this milestone with a collection of exclusive creations that honour both its rich heritage and its continuing pursuit of horological innovation.
The anniversary is more than a celebration of history. It is a reminder that one of watchmaking’s greatest complications remains deeply intertwined with the Maison that invented it. Over two centuries, Breguet has continually refined the tourbillon, introducing new technical advances while remaining faithful to Abraham-Louis Breguet’s original quest for greater precision.
A Revolutionary Invention That Changed Watchmaking
The story begins during the French Revolution, when Abraham-Louis Breguet temporarily left Paris and used the period to develop several ideas that would eventually transform watchmaking.
Among these innovations was the Tourbillon regulator, patented in 1801 after years of development. Designed to compensate for positional errors caused by gravity in pocket watches, the rotating cage continually repositions the balance assembly, improving overall timekeeping accuracy.
Although Breguet himself produced only around 40 tourbillons during his lifetime, the mechanism would go on to become one of haute horlogerie’s most respected complications. Today, virtually every major luxury watchmaker has adopted the concept, yet Breguet remains the only manufacture with the original 1801 patent at the heart of its legacy.
Classique Tourbillon 7357: Heritage Reimagined
Leading the anniversary collection is the Classique Tourbillon 7357, a direct descendant of the celebrated Ref. 3350 from 1989—the first tourbillon wristwatch produced by modern-day Breguet. To mark the 225th anniversary, the watch is offered in both 950 platinum and 18K Breguet gold, each bearing the prestigious Breguet hallmark.
According to Breguet CEO Gregory Kissling, the new model is intrinsically linked to the history of the tourbillon and to the legendary Calibre 558 that helped revive the complication for contemporary watchmaking nearly four decades ago. The successor movement, Calibre 187B, was designed with great care to preserve that heritage while bringing the movement into the modern era.
Visually, the Classique Tourbillon 7357 embraces the refined design language introduced during Breguet’s 250th anniversary celebrations. A redesigned 35mm case sits comfortably on the wrist, while the dial showcases traditional Clous de Paris and Barleycorn guilloché patterns. The tourbillon at six o’clock is recessed below the dial to create greater depth, while blue accents and commemorative French inscriptions celebrate the historic patent and its 225-year legacy. The caseback features a newly developed guilloché motif inspired by the Dent de Vaulion, the iconic peak overlooking the Vallée de Joux, home of the manufacture.
A Modern Movement with Historic Roots
Powering both versions is the newly developed Calibre 187B, a hand-wound movement that retains Breguet’s traditional 2.5Hz (18,000 vibrations per hour) frequency, just as Abraham-Louis Breguet himself used centuries ago.
While preserving its historical character, the movement incorporates several modern enhancements, including a 60-hour power reserve, a Breguet Nivachron® balance spring, a silicon escapement, and improved resistance to magnetic fields.
The platinum model pairs an anthracite-finished 18K Breguet gold dial with a grey calfskin strap, while the Breguet gold version features a silvered guilloché dial and beige calfskin strap, giving collectors two distinct interpretations of the anniversary piece.
The Tourbillon Looks to the Future
Alongside the Classique Tourbillon 7357, Breguet is also highlighting the Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255, originally unveiled during the brand’s 250th anniversary celebrations. It is the first Breguet wristwatch to feature a flying tourbillon combined with a mysterious display, further demonstrating that the spirit of innovation that defined Abraham-Louis Breguet continues today.
Rather than treating the tourbillon as a museum piece, Breguet sees the complication as an evolving invention. Two hundred and twenty-five years after its creation, the Maison continues to refine one of watchmaking’s most celebrated mechanisms, proving that true innovation is built not only on preserving history, but also on continually pushing it forward.
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