In the world of horology, few innovations have stood the test of time like the tourbillon – a gem born from the ingenious mind of Abraham-Louis Breguet. Over 220 years since its official inception on June 26, 1801, the tourbillon continues to captivate watch enthusiasts worldwide. Breguet, the revered house of watchmaking, pays homage to this iconic invention in its latest addition to the Marine collection, the Marine Tourbillon.
Abraham-Louis Breguet’s journey into the creation of the tourbillon was sparked by a profound observation. He recognized Earth’s gravity as the nemesis of watch movements’ regularity, especially when timepieces were worn vertically. The gravitational pull induced variations in the rate of these timepieces. To combat this issue, Breguet ingeniously conceived the idea of a mobile carriage housing the entire escapement, performing a complete rotation every minute. This groundbreaking solution canceled out errors, ensuring precision and reliability.
Fast forward to the present day, and Breguet showcases the tourbillon in the Marine collection’s latest masterpiece. The 42.5 mm case shelters the self-winding Calibre 581, an ultra-thin movement measuring a mere 3 mm thick and comprised of 330 components. The peripheral rotor enables this remarkable thinness. The balance beats at a frequency of 4 Hertz, boasting an impressive power reserve of 80 hours. To incorporate the latest innovations, Breguet employs a carriage in titanium and a balance-spring in silicon – materials known for their resistance to corrosion, wear, and insensitivity to magnetic fields.
The transparent sapphire case-back reveals the intricate finishing of the movement, adorned with a compass rose on the barrel drum. The Marine line’s distinctive decorations, including a straight ribbed motif, further enhance the aesthetic appeal. The sunburst dial, available in slate-grey for the rose gold version and navy blue for the platinum model, adds a touch of sophistication. At 5 o’clock, the tourbillon steals the spotlight with its mesmerizing 60-second rotation. The off-centered chapter ring strategically highlights this exquisite mechanism, complemented by luminescent hour-markers and open-tipped gold Breguet hands.
Abraham-Louis Breguet’s legacy is deeply intertwined with maritime navigation and astronomy. In 1814, he joined the Bureau des Longitudes, tasked with addressing the challenges of using astronomy for determining longitude at sea. A year later, King Louis XVIII bestowed upon him the prestigious title of Chronometer-maker by appointment to the Royal Navy. This new timepiece is a twofold tribute, honoring Breguet’s association with maritime exploration and his extraordinary contributions to the field of horology.
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