Breguet marks its 250th anniversary by introducing a pioneering new collection, the Experimentale, with its inaugural timepiece, the Experimentale 1. This new offering exemplifies the brand's commitment to innovation, drawing inspiration from Abraham-Louis Breguet's legacy as a trailblazer in watchmaking. The Experimentale 1 integrates a high-frequency tourbillon and a groundbreaking magnetic escapement within a contemporary Marine case, paired with a comfortable rubber strap. It represents a bold step forward, blending historical design elements with cutting-edge technology to achieve remarkable precision and a re-imagined mechanical movement.
Abraham-Louis Breguet, an unparalleled figure in horological history, revolutionized timekeeping with inventions such as automatic winding mechanisms, the tourbillon, and shock absorption systems. His ingenuity extended to creating the first wristwatch for the Queen of Naples in 1810, long before wristwatches gained widespread popularity. The new Experimentale collection is a direct homage to his experimental spirit, serving as a dynamic platform for Breguet's continuous research and development efforts, mirroring the foundational belief that every significant advancement begins as an experiment.
The Experimentale 1, revealed in Paris, not only commemorates Breguet's 250-year journey but also offers a glimpse into its future trajectory. It builds upon Breguet's rich heritage, incorporating design elements from its early marine chronometers and the iconic regulator-style layout of Breguet No. 3448, a pocket watch crafted for an astronomer in 1820. This fusion of historical aesthetics with modern engineering results in a timepiece that is both distinctly contemporary and deeply rooted in the brand's storied past.
While many contemporary watchmakers look to the past for inspiration, evoking nostalgia with heritage-inspired designs, the Breguet Experimentale 1 proudly asserts its modernity. Despite its substantial 43.5 mm case, which is crafted from a unique 'Breguet Gold' that is warmer than traditional yellow gold, its design ensures wearability. The case's ribbed sides nod to the classic Classique collection, while its predominantly brushed finish lends it a refined, understated feel. Certain surfaces are treated with a sandblasted blue ALD coating, harmonizing with the blue tones of various screws and bridges within the movement.
The movement itself, also constructed from Breguet Gold, is certified with the brand's new 'Breguet Hallmark,' guaranteeing exceptional accuracy of +/- 1 second per day. The transparent sapphire dial brilliantly showcases this intricate mechanism, with the tourbillon majestically rotating at the 12 o'clock position. The overall symmetry of the movement echoes Breguet's early 'Souscription' pocket watches. Luminous chapter rings for seconds, minutes, and hours, along with the distinctive Breguet numerals on the hour ring at 6 o'clock, further enhance its unique appeal.
At the heart of the Experimentale 1 lies a highly technical yet elegantly simple solution to long-standing challenges in mechanical watchmaking: the world's first magnetic escapement. Mechanical watches traditionally suffer from friction between tiny gears and springs, leading to wear, and inconsistent power delivery from the mainspring. Breguet’s innovative magnetic escapement eliminates direct contact between crucial components, creating a 'frictionless' system. Furthermore, it ensures a 'constant force' by delivering consistent power regardless of the mainspring's winding level, effectively solving problems watchmakers have grappled with for centuries. This advanced system replaces the conventional 'Swiss lever escapement' with opposing magnetic fields that generate oscillation, maintaining the familiar 'tick-tock' sound while vastly improving performance. This forward-thinking approach has garnered significant attention, even attracting esteemed collectors.
Priced at 320,000 Swiss francs, or nearly $400,000, the Experimentale 1 is a limited edition of just 75 individually numbered pieces, reflecting the immense technical complexity involved in its production. Breguet anticipates that the innovative technologies introduced in this model will eventually be incorporated into more accessible watches across its product lines. As Breguet looks ahead, with the tourbillon's 225th anniversary on the horizon, the Experimentale collection promises continued groundbreaking advancements, cementing Breguet's status as a vanguard in the world of high horology.
