A novelty in the framework of the 250th anniversary of the Breguet brand

A novelty with a high-frequency mechanism, which uses a unique Breguet development with micromagnets, patented in 2010.

As part of the 250th anniversary of the brand, Breguet has released a novelty with an unusual concept. Inspired by pocket watches from 1809, the Breguet Classique 7225 features a high-frequency trigger mechanism with micromagnets.

The watch received a 41 x 10.7 mm case made of Breguet Gold alloy. The design of the model copies the aesthetics of the Breguet pocket watch No. 1176, which once belonged to a representative of the noble Polish Potocki family. It was a kind of minimal chronograph, as there were two second hands in the watch’s arsenal at once. One of them could be started and stopped on demand, which made it possible to measure the intermediate intervals or the duration of two simultaneous events.

The same feature is implemented in the new product. In the center of the dial, decorated with the Guilloche pattern “Quai de l’Horloge”, there is a small dial with hour and minute hands. Directly below it is a 60–hour power reserve indicator. There are two second counters on the right and left. At the 2 o’clock mark, there is a traditional second hand that measures the current time. At the “10 o’clock” position, there is a so-called observational second hand, which, in fact, performs the function of a stopwatch. Using the button located at the “8 o’clock” mark, this “stopwatch” can be reset to the starting position.

The watch is equipped with a 74SC caliber, a hand–wound movement with a balanced frequency of 10 Hz, which uses magnets in an unusual way. They are located on both sides of the balance axis and, by creating an intense magnetic flux inside the axis, help to keep it in a stable position even in the event of an impact. The use of magnets in the mechanism became possible due to the antimagnetic properties of silicon, which is used to manufacture the balance spiral and a number of other components.

Breguet has been developing a concept in which the phenomenon of magnetism is put at the service of precision and stability of movement since the mid-2000s. On November 7, 2010, a patent application was filed for a magnetic hinge or magnetic bearing with two micromagnets, which replaced the traditional overhead stones in the mechanism to support the balance axis. In 2014, the very first watch with this system, the Classique Chronométrie 7727 10 Hz model, received the Golden Hand, the main award of the Geneva Grand Prix of Fine Watchmaking.

The official press release of this watch says that a kinematic animation has been developed for the anchor (trigger) wheel of the mechanism, which provides the display of 20 images per second. In practice, this means that somewhere on the watch (it is unclear whether on the dial or on the back), 2 inscriptions replace each other with a smooth morphing effect – “1775” and “2025”.

In honor of the anniversary, Breguet has introduced its own certification, which is symbolically marked with the Breguet brand. This stamp is affixed to the crown and clasp of the watch. It hides strict requirements for the quality and finish of the watch, the accuracy of movement, water resistance and antimagnetic protection. By the way, in this model, the travel error is in the range of +/-1 seconds per day.

The watch is provided with a 5-year international warranty. They come in a gift box inspired by historic Breguet gift boxes made of red Moroccan leather. The estimated cost of the model is CHF 75,000.