In 2026, Breguet pays tribute to the tourbillon, a magnificent invention. The brand's founder, Abraham-Louis Breguet, obtained the patent for the tourbillon on the 7th of Messidor, Year IX of the French Republican Calendar—corresponding to June 26, 1801. Over the past 225 years, this exceptional complication has become an integral part of Breguet’s watchmaking, a cherished feature for collectors, and a cornerstone in the evolution of the entire watch industry; indeed, the fundamental principles of the tourbillon are now widely applied across the sector.

Breguet Classique 7357 Tourbillon Watch

Since then, Breguet has consistently upheld and advanced this extraordinary watchmaker's invention. While preserving the original inspiration behind the tourbillon, the brand has also introduced valuable technical innovations over the decades, driven by its relentless pursuit of precision. The new models launched today embody this very vision.

A Historic Invention

In 1793, the turmoil of the French Revolution prompted Abraham-Louis Breguet to leave his workshop on the Quai de l'Horloge in Paris with his family. During his time in Neuchâtel and Le Locle, the master watchmaker used this period of respite to further develop several of his creative concepts and to reflect deeply on the future of the brand.

Upon his return to Paris in 1795, Abraham-Louis Breguet introduced a series of innovative inventions that not only laid the foundation for the brand's future but also exerted a decisive influence on the entire watchmaking industry. These creations included the "Sympathique" clock (a master-slave system capable of regulating a pocket watch placed atop it), the "Souscription" watch (which redefined watchmaking aesthetics through a minimalist design—a classic model Breguet is reinterpreting in 2025), and the "tactile watch" (designed to allow the time to be read by touch).

Abraham-Louis Breguet developed two groundbreaking mechanisms: the first was the "constant-force" escapement, patented in 1798; the second was the "tourbillon regulator," patented three years later in 1801. This year marks the 225th anniversary of the latter's invention.

The Origins of a Watchmaking Revolution

The tourbillon regulator—or simply the tourbillon—was born from a meticulous observation of the oscillating components within a pocket watch, specifically how gravity "pulled" the balance wheel and hairspring downward during oscillation. This force affected the operation of the regulating mechanism; the rate became particularly unstable when the timepiece was held in a vertical position—a common issue for pocket watches in Breguet's era.

The tourbillon regulator—or simply, the tourbillon

To address this challenge—recognizing that the physical laws of gravity could not be circumvented—Abraham-Louis Breguet invented a carriage system. He housed the escapement and the regulating organs (balance wheel and hairspring) within this carriage, causing it to rotate continuously around its axis in all positions. Consequently, the center of gravity of the balance and hairspring assembly constantly realigns with the axis of rotation, thereby compensating for the adverse effects of irregular oscillation caused by the watch's stationary position. Breguet designed this system specifically to average out errors arising from vertical positions, ultimately achieving greater timekeeping precision.

Breguet conceived the idea for the tourbillon while living in Switzerland between 1793 and 1795; a period of six years elapsed between his return to Paris and the granting of the patent on June 26, 1801. Another six years passed between the patent's approval and the commercial release of the first tourbillon timepieces. Between 1796 and 1829, Breguet and his staff produced a total of 40 tourbillon timepieces. Additionally, nine other pieces were recorded but never completed due to cancellation, destruction, or loss.

Since then, Breguet has remained dedicated to perfecting this exquisitely complex mechanism of high watchmaking, striving to pioneer new frontiers in precision timekeeping.

Guided by this philosophy, the brand continuously develops new watchmaking technologies, such as high-frequency mechanisms; simultaneously, it actively explores other scientific fields, aiming to incorporate cutting-edge innovations—such as a constant-force magnetic escapement—into its tourbillons.

Classique 7357 Tourbillon

The design of the Classique 7357 Tourbillon draws inspiration from a historic Breguet masterpiece: the Classique 3350. Launched in 1989, the Classique 3350 was the first tourbillon watch created by the modern-day Breguet manufacture. Today, it is a highly sought-after timepiece among collectors. The Calibre 558 powering it is equally steeped in history.

The new Classique 7357 Tourbillon carries on this legacy, featuring the Calibre 187B—an optimized version of the renowned Calibre 558. To mark the 225th anniversary of the tourbillon patent, this new model is available in a choice of platinum or Breguet gold. The timepiece bears the prestigious Breguet hallmark.

Breguet Classique 7357 Tourbillon Watch

Breguet CEO Gregory Kissling comments:

“Everything about this timepiece is deeply connected to the magnificent history of the tourbillon. The decision to reintroduce this complication to the world nearly 40 years ago was bold and resolute, and its profound impact on the watchmaking industry is undeniable.

Breguet collectors rarely discuss specific movement references, yet the Calibre 558 is an exception. A movement of deep historical significance, it marked a pivotal turning point in the modern evolution of the tourbillon. It was this movement that enabled the tourbillon to return to the watchmaking stage in the 20th and 21st centuries, once again captivating the world. Creating its successor was a monumental task; after all, continuing the legacy of an extraordinary movement that dominated the modern history of the tourbillon for nearly four decades is no small feat.

The 7357 is a timepiece of great purity. Its 30mm-diameter movement is housed within a 35mm case, eliminating the need for a movement holder ring. The dial, caseback, and case middle all feature hand-guilloché decoration, while the dial bears two plaques and the Breguet secret signature. Beyond these elements, there is no superfluous ornamentation." ...showcasing the essence of Breguet through an expression of ultimate simplicity.”

A Faithful Legacy

Drawing inspiration from history to shape the future of watchmaking—this is not merely a philosophy upheld by Breguet today; it is a tradition that traces back to the brand’s founder, Abraham-Louis Breguet. This master watchmaker never viewed the tourbillon he invented as an isolated or final achievement. He constantly explored new possibilities, continually refining and perfecting the mechanism—a process of ceaseless research and development. Following his death in 1823, his son took up the mantle, continuing to advance the evolution of the tourbillon.

Carrying the legacy of both men who bore the Breguet name, the brand continues to follow this path today. In 1989, Breguet launched the Classique 3350. At that time, only a handful of collectors worldwide appreciated the tourbillon—or traditional fine watchmaking in general—yet it was these dedicated enthusiasts who steadfastly championed the art of mechanical watchmaking.

Nearly 40 years later, Breguet continues to uphold this heritage, driving the tourbillon’s resurgence and restoring it to a position of high desirability. This invention, originally conceived by Abraham-Louis Breguet, is now employed by almost every brand in the watchmaking industry. Yet, only the Breguet tourbillon possesses such historical legitimacy—a claim rooted in the famous patent granted 225 years ago, on June 26, 1801. The Classique 7357 Tourbillon stands as a magnificent embodiment of this significant historical legacy.

A Tourbillon Rooted in the Modern Era

While the Classique 3350 was a tourbillon born in the 20th century, the two new Classique 7357 Tourbillon models embody the spirit of 21st-century watchmaking. Its aesthetic design draws upon the core stylistic essence created for the collection marking the brand's 250th anniversary in 2025. The lugs have been redesigned to better conform to the curve of the wrist. The Arabic numeral hour markers—originally introduced by Abraham-Louis Breguet in the late 18th century with a style that was remarkably modern for its time—now return to the 18K gold dial. The dial features two of Breguet’s most iconic guilloché patterns: a *Clous de Paris* (hobnail) motif in the center, surrounded by a *Grain d’orge* (barleycorn) pattern. The tourbillon, positioned at 6 o'clock, is anchored to the mainplate and recessed slightly—by a fraction of a millimeter—below the dial surface; this accentuates the tourbillon and adds a sense of depth to the overall composition. The three arms of the seconds hand are also slightly curved to align with the dial plane. The original single-arm bridge of the Calibre 558 has been redesigned into a polished, two-tiered "arched" bridge. Traditional Breguet-style hands indicate the hours and minutes, while the caseband is adorned with hand-guilloché decoration. Additionally, four inserts finished in "French Blue"—a color reserved for exceptional timepieces—are set into the rim of the caseback. The two inserts located on the lower half of the dial bear the inscriptions "Brevet du 7 Messidor An 9" (Patent of 7 Messidor, Year 9) and "Tourbillon 225th anniversary," paying tribute to Abraham-Louis Breguet, his inventions, and the enduring legacy that continues to this day.

A New Guilloché Pattern Inspired by the Dent de Vaulion in the Vallée de Joux

Breguet has created a specially designed guilloché pattern to adorn the back of the watch, applying it to both the movement's mainplate and the caseback. This pattern draws inspiration from the Dent de Vaulion, a majestic peak in the Vallée de Joux—the birthplace of the brand's watchmaking heritage.

An Exceptional Movement: The 187B

The two new Classique 7357 Tourbillon models are powered by the new Calibre 187B. Inheriting the fundamental characteristics of its predecessor, the movement features hour, minute, and seconds displays, along with a tourbillon. It retains the original oscillation frequency of 2.5 Hz (18,000 vibrations per hour)—a frequency of great historical significance that is highly prized by collectors and was favored by A.-L. Breguet himself.

The Classique 3350, launched in 1989, was no exception in this regard. The hand-wound Calibre 187B adheres to the purest watchmaking traditions while preserving the movement's historical character. Furthermore, the movement has undergone significant optimization by Breguet's R&D department. It features anti-magnetic properties; notably, the hands are crafted from gold rather than steel to prevent magnetic interference with the movement. The power reserve has been increased to 6

The movement features a Breguet Nivachron balance spring and a silicon pallet fork, ensuring immunity to magnetic interference and enhanced precision, thereby meeting the rigorous standards of the Breguet Seal.

New Breguet Classique 7357 Tourbillon watch equipped with the new Calibre 187B