Breguet Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255: debuting a flying tourbillon with a mysterious complication. Price of ref. 7255BH/2Y/9VU is €225,900
In celebration of its 250th anniversary, Breguet presents the Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255, the fourth chapter in a series of commemorative timepieces paying homage to the Maison’s pioneering legacy.
The watch was fittingly unveiled on 26 June 2025, in homage to the 26th of June 1801 when Abraham-Louis Breguet obtained a patent for the tourbillon, an invention that continues to fascinate horological connoisseurs more than two centuries later (read more about the history of this watchmaking feat here).
Limited to just 50 pieces, the Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 introduces, for the first time in the brand’s history, a flying tourbillon. And not just that — this interpretation pushes the construction even further with the addition of a so-called ‘mysterious’ complication.
Between 1796 and 1829, Breguet and his successors crafted approximately forty tourbillon timepieces, each a unique variation on the theme. With this latest model, Breguet continues that tradition of exploration by introducing its first flying tourbillon. Unlike traditional tourbillons supported by an upper and lower bridge, the flying variant is held solely from below, creating an impression of levitation.
The design, introduced in the early 20th century, adds significant complexity to the construction: it demands more precise balancing, greater stability, and fine regulation to ensure performance and reliability.
Elevated 0.9 mm above the enamel dial and protruding 2.2 mm above the baseplate, the tourbillon reaches a total height of 7 mm. As the centrepiece of the movement, it determines the overall height of the calibre and the 10.2 mm profile of the 38 mm fluted case. This is crafted from 18K Breguet gold, a proprietary blond alloy, made up of 75% gold with silver, copper, and palladium, that was first introduced during the opening chapter of the 250th anniversary celebrations.
The Mysterious complication further enhances the spectacle offered by this one-minute tourbillon. The cage appears to float without any visible mechanical link to the movement.
To achieve this effect, the lower bridge and the lower support of the tourbillon carriage are made of sapphire glass with an anti-reflective coating, rendering them invisible. The point of contact between the gears and the carriage is not visible; it is offset from the tourbillon cutout and therefore hidden from view by the dial.
Slowly beating at a frequency of 2.5 Hz (18,000 vibrations per hour), the hand-wound Calibre 187M1 offers a 50-hour power reserve and is equipped with a patented Breguet balance spring in blue Nivachron, a cutting-edge alloy known for its resistance to magnetic fields and temperature variations.
The name “Sidéral” evokes more than just poetic imagery; it refers to sidereal time—astronomical time measured by the fixed positions of stars rather than the Sun. This celestial inspiration is echoed in the watch’s striking aventurine enamel dial, a first for Breguet.
Crafted using a complex Grand Feu technique, the aventurine dial glows with deep blue tones and copper inclusions, resembling a star-strewn night sky. Up to five layers of enamel are required, each fired at temperatures exceeding 800°C.
The enamelling process is painstaking: a moment too long in the kiln, or a slight excess in heat, can ruin the entire dial. As no two enamel patterns are alike, each of the 50 examples is effectively a unique piece.
Set against this shimmering backdrop are applied hour markers and “Breguet” and “Tourbillon” inscriptions in 18K Breguet gold. Each piece is adorned with the brand’s secret signatures.
The caseback reveals the individual number of each piece (from 1/50 to 50/50), along with finely executed decorative details.
For the first time, the recently unveiled Quai de l’Horloge guilloché is applied not only in a circular pattern on the caseback and tourbillon bridge, but also in a linear arrangement across the entire movement main plate.
This guilloché motif draws inspiration from the graceful curves of the river Seine as it flows around the Île de la Cité and the Île Saint-Louis.
Paired with a navy blue alligator leather strap with an 18K Breguet gold 3-blade folding clasp and presented in a special edition red leather case inspired by Breguet’s Moroccan leather cases of the period, the new Breguet Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 (ref. 7255BH/2Y/9VU) has a price of €225,900. breguet.com
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