The Breguet 5335 Tourbillon Messidor was named in honor of the brand founder Abraham Louis Breguet in tribute to the master’s ingenious Tourbillon invention, which was patented, according to the French revolutionary calendar, on 7 Messidor of the year IX (June 26, 1801). This classic Tourbillon Messidor timepiece in 41mm platinum case belongs to the Grand Complication Collection.
Powered by a hand-wound movement and seemingly suspended in space at 12 o’clock, this uncluttered tourbillon design adds its unique character to the watch’s already fascinating appearance. The trim yet aesthetically elegant design features fine brush-finished, rotating bridges and gears giving a mystical look to the skeleton dial composition, providing a transparent background for the blued Breguet style hands.
Running seconds at 6 o’clock, its 18 carat Rose Gold tourbillon cage with finely fluted case band and its discreet sapphire crystal stresses the entire design’s airy construction giving the impression that the cage is not connected to the movement. The overall effect is one of transparency, enabling the tourbillon to weave its magic from the center stage as it reveals parallel decorative strokes all done by the human hand.
A pillar and authoritative reference in luxury watch making tradition, Breguet possesses an exceptional know-how in mastering movements and complications, like the Tourbillon invented by the founder, Abraham Louis Breguet. It is because of work like this that Abraham Louis Breguet is considered by many as the father of watch making and one of the greatest horologists of all time.
Since the 18th century, Breguet clients have included historical figures such as Napoleon Bonaparte, Marie-Antoinette, Winston Churchill, and Alexander Dumas.
The signatures in Breguet styling are evident even in today’s masterpieces: the blue steel hands, guilloche engraving, and the fluted case band. Master-engraver working on Breguet movements displays extreme precision which requires a high level of concentration and dexterity.
Probably most important, the engraving of a;; Breguet movements and all decorations are done by the most versatile of all instruments, the human hand.