Breguet Enters a New Chronometric Era with the Classique 7225

Precision has always been the guiding principle of Breguet. In 1802, Abraham-Louis Breguet undertook the construction of a series of five timepieces that explored the frontiers of horological accuracy. Among them was the tourbillon paired with a natural escapement, demonstrating the master watchmaker’s unrelenting pursuit of perfection. Another one was the Breguet No. 1176, one of the first four watches equipped with a four-minute tourbillon, and only the fifth tourbillon watch ever sold by the master. This exceptional piece also featured a constant-force escapement using a fusée-and-chain mechanism. No. 1176 was delivered to Count Potocki, a member of a distinguished Polish aristocratic family.Today, it is preserved in the Breguet Museum in Paris as one of its most exceptional pieces. Today, as the prestigious manufacture celebrates 250 years of watchmaking excellence, the brand continues this legacy with the Classique 7225, a timepiece that pushes the boundaries of precision with a magnetic-pivot balance and a high-frequency escapement operating at 10 Hz. 

The old master was well aware that that true precision is never the result of a single invention, but rather the clever combination of multiple innovations. Breguet conducted numerous experiments, ranging from purely mechanical parameters – rotation speeds, frequencies, types of escapement – to more transversal aspects such as the materials and lubricants used. Some developments, like the tourbillon of 1801 or the constant-force fusée-and-chain mechanism, have stood the test of time. Yet, at Breguet, high-frequency regulation remained largely unexplored until the 2008, when the brand introduced its first high-frequency wristwatch.The Classique 7225 represents the culmination of decades of research into high-frequency movement and builds on a breakthroughs Breguet patented in 2010,  the magnetic pivot.

Its principle is audacious: aiming to master the movement’s hitherto sworn enemy – magnetism – within its very heart. The goal of maintaining a stable pivot is achieved through the magnetic field generated between two magnets, preventing its pivoting action from the effects of gravity. A micro-magnet is placed on either side of the balance staff and together they create an intense magnetic flux inside the shaft. A deliberate imbalance in the flux keeps one end of the shaft in constant contact with its end stone. In the event of an impact, the magnetic forces automatically re-center the shaft. The result is an unprecedented stability in amplitude and rate. 

This trailblazing design is implemented in the manually wound Caliber 74SC with 361 components and 54 jewels. Paced at 10 Hz movement or 72,000 vibrations per hour, it offers a 60-hour power reserve. Its flat double silicon balance-spring and a silicon pallet-lever and escape-wheel further increase the movement’s precision and stability, reducing friction and sensitivity to magnetic fields from the outside. For the escape-wheel and pinion, Breguet has designed a phenakistoscope-type kinematic animation that, thanks to the high frequency nature, displays 20 images per second with the two inscriptions “1775” and “2025” that appear in turn.

Aesthetically, the caliber is a stunning world in itself. Its bridges, crafted in Breguet gold to harmonize with the case (41 x 10.7mm), are engraved with a landscape inspired by Breguet’s homeland, the Vallée de Joux. The jewels, blued screws, and wheels adorned with sunburst finishing stand out in striking contrast. The beautiful scenery comes to life through the exhibition case back of the 41mm case crafted from Breguet gold.

The Breguet-gold dial, adorned with the new "Quai de l’Horloge” hand-guilloche and other distinguishing patterns as well as blued  pommes hands in Breguet style, draws inspiration from the aforementioned No. 1176 from the early 1800s. The new model preserves the spirit of this masterpiece with two small seconds sub dials, and a fan-shaped power reserve indicator. A flyback function on the so called "observation seconds" at 10 o'clock allows time measurement, reflecting Breguet’s early experimentation with chronograph-like functionality.

A new quality seal

The new Classique 7225 not only celebrates Breguet’s 250th anniversary with a groundbreaking magnetic-pivot balance and high-frequency 10 Hz escapement, but also introduces the new Breguet Hallmark—an emblem of the Manufacture’s enduring excellence. This certification attests to the superior quality, performance, and ethics behind every creation, encompassing the artistry of its finishing, the precision of its chronometry, and the integrity of its craftsmanship. Each watch bearing the Breguet Hallmark has been conceived, developed, and assembled according to the brand’s most exacting standards, ensuring it stands as a true reflection of the spirit and mastery that have defined Breguet for a quarter of a millennium.

The watch joins the current collection and comes on a navy blue alligator leather strap with 18K Breguet gold pin buckle and is priced at $99,000. 

To learn more, visit Breguet, here.

Classique 7235

As another highlight marking its 250th anniversary, Breguet presents the Classique 7235, a 250-piece limited edition inspired by the historic No. 5 pocket watch from 1794. This new creation embodies the fundamental principles established by Monsieur Breguet—elegance, legibility, and technical refinement—combined with the artistry of modern watchmaking. Crafted from 18k Breguet gold, the 39mm case features the newly hand-guilloché “Quai de l’Horloge” motif on both dial and case middle, a nod to Breguet’s original Paris address. It replaces the famous fluting – meaning horizontally rather than vertically. The dial layout follows that of the historic No. 5, with central hands, a power reserve at 10:30, a moon phase at 2 o’clock, and a small seconds display at 5 o’clock. Like the historic inspiration, the dial is bevelled. It is thinner at the edges than in the center and while this difference amounts to just four tenths of a millimeter, it is enough to give the dial a slightly sloping profile at the edge of the chapter ring. This enables a slimmer, lower bezel, ensuring a perfect junction with a spherical sapphire crystal ensuring just the right fit on the caseband.

Inside beats the newly developed self-winding Caliber 502.3.DRL with a silicon balance spring, measuring just 3.95 mm in height and allowing for a slim 9.9-mm case. The hand-engraved bridges depict the famous 18th-century “Turgot” map of Paris, paying homage to the location of Breguet’s historic workshops.

The Classique 7235 is limited to 250 pieces and priced at $85,800.

To learn more, visit Breguet, here.