If you’ve ever delved deep into Breguet‘s catalog, you may have noticed a fascinating assortment of high-jewelry watches, some of which include “mobile setting” whereby diamond-set petals sway to mimic floral nastic movement. I’ve seen one of these Breguet Crazy Flower watches in action, and the crazy part of the name is apt. I bring this up to emphasize that Breguet takes its gem-setting very seriously; I’d say as seriously as the intricate watch complications it’s famous for. So, just in time for sparkle season, Breguet adds two new gem-set tourbillon models that merge high jewelry and high horology in dramatic fashion. Available in white gold or rose gold and blanketed in diamonds, the new Breguet Classique Tourbillon 3358 watches showcase the complex whirling mechanism that founder A.-L. Breguet was responsible for inventing, along with other design details that have become signatures of the brand.
The first of the dazzling diamond pair is the Starlit Night, which features a white gold case, a varnished midnight blue mother-of-pearl dial, and a midnight blue alligator leather strap. The dial is decorated with a shower of diamond-set white gold stars while the shooting star-shaped tourbillon bridge is embellished with 45 snow-set diamonds and punctuated with a blue spinel at the center that serves as a pivoting stone for the tourbillon carriage.
The other new Breguet Classique Tourbillon 3358 watch is the Stunning Sight, furnished with a rose gold case, a dial set with 281 diamonds, and a crimson-red alligator leather strap. There’s also the natural white mother-of-pearl chapter ring that frames the off-centered time display and its smile-shaped rose gold tourbillon bridge is set with 14 diamonds.
Both models include an oval-shaped aperture at 6 o’clock for a view of the one-minute tourbillon, a rose-cut diamond set into the crown, diamonds set into the bezel and lugs, and triple folding gold clasps set with 42 diamonds. As is customary for almost all Breguet watches, there are the Breguet-style hands, Breguet-style numerals, and fine fluting on the case sides. The cases measure 35mm in diameter (water-resistant to 30 meters) and are fitted with sapphire casebacks for a view of the magnificently engraved hand-wound 187 D movements powering the watches. Caliber 187 D oscillates at a frequency of 2.5 Hz and supplies 50 hours of power reserve.
Petite yet punchy, these high jewelry tourbillons are designed for the maximalist who adheres to the “more is more” philosophy. And to that, I say, why not? When executed to the level of excellence that Breguet has achieved here, a women’s diamond tourbillon watch is a spectacular style choice that few can pull off. Clearly, these are not everyday watches for everyday folks, but if you are the type to get invited to events where a diamond tourbillon is appropriate, then Breguet would be the go-to source. The Starlit Night Classique Tourbillon (ref. 3358BB/VD/986D0) retails for $143,400 USD whereas the Stunning Sight Classique Tourbillon (ref. 3358BR/8D/986D0) retails for $153,600 USD. For more information about the new Breguet Classique Tourbillon 3358 watches, please visit the brand’s website.
