Breguet Classic 5345 & 7145 ‘Year of the Dragon’ Edition

Posted by lifata on March 25th, 2024

Swiss high-end watchmaker Breguet replica also unveiled a special edition to commemorate the 'Year of the Dragon' in 2024. Perhaps due to the symbolism and popularity of the dragon, it is unusually presented in two versions, attracting attention.

The first novelty you will see is the ‘Year of the Dragon’ special edition, which is an extension of the 5345, which was updated in 2020 and based on the double tourbillon 5347 that debuted in 2006. Its innovative design stands out in that not one but two tourbillons, the signature of the house invented by the great founder Abraham-Louis Breguet replica watches in 1801, rotate within the dial to more actively offset the effects of gravity.

The case, made of noble platinum material, has a diameter of 46 mm and a thickness of 16.8 mm, making it the same size as the existing platinum version. The movement is also the same as the previous model, equipped with the in-house manual caliber 588N, which consists of a total of 738 parts and 81 jewels (frequency 2.5 Hz, power reserve 60 hours). The two tourbillon cages exposed to the openwork dial surface display the hours together by rotating the dial once in 12-hour increments by differential gears engaged on the central axis. Since the tourbillon cage operates with twice the movement (each rotating once per minute at a frequency of 2.5 hertz), it not only more actively cancels out the effects of gravity, but also connects them with a bridge to prevent each other's movements. By playing a role in regulating it, it maintains a constant vibration angle and enables more accurate timekeeping. Another blue open-tipped hand, superimposed on the bridge connecting the two tourbillon cages, indicates the minutes.

And the golden dragon perched on top of the barrel bridge, crossing between the two tourbillon cages, catches the eye. In East Asian culture, the golden dragon has long symbolized absolute power, that is, the emperor. The shape of the dragon was created three-dimensionally through hand-engraving using gold pieces. Between the five claws, you can even see the Yeouiju made of white mother-of-pearl pieces. The steel parts, including the barrel bridge and tourbillon cage, are carefully polished and satin-brushed by hand, and most bridges also have chamfered (anglage) edges.

Of course, you can enjoy the unique and beautiful movement through the transparent sapphire crystal case back. The entire rhodium-plated gold plate of the 588N caliber is hand-engraved with figurative motifs inspired by clouds and dragons, and decorated with a guilloché pattern with some Clous de Paris hobnail motifs.

Another 'Year of the Dragon' special edition features a majestic depiction of a dragon on the dial using Grand Feu enamelling, a traditional métier d'art (craft art) technique, and gold engraving.

Translucent enamel paint dyed red with silicon dioxide was mixed with purified water and applied to the dial by hand in several layers. The process of baking and cooling in a kiln at over 800 degrees Celsius was repeated to obtain a bright red color dial. And the appearance of an oriental dragon is realistically engraved with hand engraving on a rose gold appliqué background. The white mother-of-pearl piece at 4 o'clock on the dial looks like the moon at first glance, but symbolizes Yeouiju, which is inseparable from the dragon. The Roman numerals, rail road minute track, and three-dimensional cloud shape on the outside of the dial were completed using gold powder.

The rose gold case has a diameter of 40mm and a thickness of 6.9mm, making it extremely slim. Despite being an automatic movement, the House's thinnest Time Only Ultra-Thin Automatic Caliber 502.3, at just 2.4 mm thick, beats powerfully. Equipped with a silicon balance spring and pallet fork (lever) that are not affected by magnetism, it vibrates 21,600 times per hour and has a power reserve of approximately 45 hours. Of course, you can enjoy the unique movement through the transparent sapphire crystal case back.