The new Breguet Classique Double Tourbillon ref. 5345 ‘Quai de l’Horloge’ blends mechanical virtuosity with aesthetic mastery. Entirely visible, the movement reveals two tourbillons that set the whole plate in motion through a central differential. Each component is hand-finished, while the back of the movement is engraved with the ‘House on the Quai’, the Parisian building where Abraham-Louis Breguet fulfilled his life’s work. Like a delicately chased sculpture, the entire exposed mechanism pivots around its axis at the rate of one full turn every 12 hours. It is propelled by two independent tourbillons, which each complete a full rotation per minute. In this way, the interconnected regulating organs perform a double revolution, simultaneously driving the tourbillon bar with the signature hours hand.
The timekeeping parts of this Double Tourbillon reference 5345 follow the original principle of the tourbillon invented by Abraham-Louis Breguet. The steel balance springs are endowed with the characteristic terminal curve, allowing for concentric development of the spring. It was a solution devised by the founder himself, which has since become known as the Breguet overcoil. Even now, the balance spring is still shaped by hand, while the different calibrations are also done manually, such as balancing the tourbillon cages. These carriages are the only ones in the current collection that feature a framework in black-polished steel —the highest degree of finishing in fine horology.
The two mechanical hearts beat independently from one another, each driven by their own mainspring barrel which happens to be open-worked for this watch and held by bridges shaped like a Breguet letter ‘B’ that is meticulously polished and finished by hand.
However, the two oscillating organs are coupled with a second pair of wheels, revolving in the central differential. This double-entry mechanism is able to determine the average rate of the tourbillons, allowing for the oscillating plate to be set in motion at the rate of one full rotation every 12 hours. As for the minutes’ indication, it is a classic hand in the center. The entire mechanism is equipped with a system to minimize play in the wheels, ensuring a perfectly precise display.
Featuring a massive round 46 mm platinum case bearing the traditional Breguet DNA elements such as the fluted caseband and welded rounded lugs with screw bars, the watch features a clear sapphire hours chapter ring with blue Roman numerals and blued-steel hours hand extending along the bar supporting the two tourbillons on either side. Including its domed box sapphire crystal, the watch seems extremely thick at 16.8 mm. And in a first in the watch industry, the watch is delivered on a ‘stone’ strap actually made of natural slate inlaid on rubber and secured by a triple folding clasp in platinum.
Yet the unique character of this timepiece is fully revealed on its back, just as if the front wasn’t impressive enough. The 81-jewel manual wound movement calibre 588N —with two tourbillons mounted on a revolving main plate hand-engraved on a rose engine— is finished with a delicate and very realistic engraving, featuring the facade of the building occupied by Abraham-Louis Breguet from 1775 onward, at 39 Quai de l’Horloge in Paris. Made out of a solid piece of gold, the meticulously engraved plate allows for a partial view of some of the movement’s wheels through the windowpanes of the facade. Beating at a frequency of 18,000 vph the movement provides a power reserve of 50 hours.
A complete piece of horological art, the Breguet Classique Double Tourbillon ref. 5345 'Quai de l'Horloge' showcases the mastery of one of the most important Swiss watch manufactures. Nestled in L’Orient in the Vallée de Joux, Breguet is not only well known for its tourbillons but also for its exclusivity that at times comes with a steep price like in the case of this watch. However, at the end of the day, you pay for what you get, and when it comes to the Breguet Classique Double Tourbillon ref. 5345 'Quai de l'Horloge', the price is totally in line with the amazing timepiece you’d be getting.
Sticker Price $631,000 USD. For more info on Breguet click here.
