Breguet’s Classique Tourbillon 3358 Rekindles a Legacy in Brilliance

A Breguet tourbillon wristwatch is perhaps the most tourbillon of all tourbillons. Founder Abraham-Louis Breguet patented the mechanism in 1801, after all. A gem-set tourbillon wristwatch, such as the Classique Tourbillon 3358 adds an opulent dimension that reminds us all that the watchmaker once served both the Capetian and Bonaparte dynasties. Revealed late last year, this watch is a dazzling fusion of technical ingenuity and high jewellery craftsmanship, paying homage to the legacy of Breguet and to revolutionary spirit (in multiple senses of that word). The press release from present-day Breguet even goes so far as to suggest that reference 3358 is a work of art, but that is up to you, dear reader.

At the heart (here at 6 o’clock) of the Classique Tourbillon 3358 is the tourbillon, which evens out timekeeping rate errors caused by gravity’s influence on the hairspring. In this latest creation, the tourbillon is part of Breguet’s in-house calibre 187D, a manually wound movement assembled from 187 meticulously crafted components (no indication that the calibre name is a reference to the number of components). Operating at a frequency of 2.5 Hz or 18,000 vibrations per hour (vph), the movement exemplifies the traditional watchmaking values of the brand; this calibre, also in use in other Classique references, does not rely on a silicon hairspring.

The design of the 3358 is as arresting as its engineering. Housed in a white gold case, the watch is lavishly set with diamonds, imbuing it with an aura of refined opulence. The dial, also in white gold, is transformed into a luminous canvas by the application of 281 brilliant-cut diamonds (using the signature “snow- setting” technique for the subdial at noon). This intricate method, which arranges the diamonds in precise, overlapping rows, gives the subdial a shimmering quality reminiscent of a starlit sky. The off-centred hour ring fashioned from natural white mother-of-pearl, accented by black Breguet numerals and complemented by open-tipped hands in blued steel, ensures both readability and aesthetic balance.

The fluted crown, adorned with a rose-cut diamond, further underscores the model’s sumptuous details, while a sapphire crystal case back with an anti-reflective coating protects and showcases the intricately decorated movement within.

In a market like Singapore, where precision and aesthetics are both prized, the Classique Tourbillon 3358 sets a new standard. By marrying historical significance with contemporary design, Breguet has once again created a timepiece that not only pays tribute to the genius of Abraham-Louis Breguet but demonstrates the other core competencies of the contemporary brand.

Movement: Manual calibre 187D with tourbillon; 50-hour power reserve
Case: 35mm in white gold (gem-set bezel, lugs and crown); water-resistant to 30m
Strap: Blue leather
Price: USD 248,000

This story was first seen on WOW #76 Spring 2025 Issue

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