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Breguet Lets Time Take Flight with Its First-Ever Flying Tourbillon in the Sidéral 7255

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  • Breguet continues its 250th-anniversary celebrations with the unveiling of the Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255, a highlight in the maison’s commemorative collection.
  • This model marks a historic milestone as the first Breguet creation to feature a flying tourbillon, an evolution of the complication that enhances its weightless, celestial aesthetic.
  • Launched on 26 June 2025, the timepiece intentionally mirrors the date Abraham-Louis Breguet secured the tourbillon patent in 1801, creating a symbolic bridge across centuries.
  • Limited to just 50 pieces, this the Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 stands as one of the first creations in Breguet featuring a “flying tourbillon”.

Marking a moment that feels both cosmic and deeply historical, the Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 arrives as Breguet approaches its 250th anniversary — a milestone tied back to the maison’s founding in 1775. Rather than simply revisiting its heritage, Breguet uses this occasion to unveil a timepiece that pushes its legacy: the brand’s first-ever flying tourbillon, a mechanism long associated with its identity yet never before realized in this form. Years of quiet development have shaped this new construction, giving the tourbillon an almost weightless presence, as if it were suspended in orbit.

The release date adds another layer of significance. Presented on 26 June 2025, the Sidéral 7255 arrives exactly 224 years after Abraham-Louis Breguet patented the original tourbillon, a moment that reshaped the future of mechanical watchmaking. By choosing this date, the maison doesn’t just honour its founder — it extends his work into a new chapter, blending innovation with reverence in a way only Breguet can achieve.

Breguet Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 Ref. 7255BH/2Y/9VU | Image: Breguet

This isn’t your ordinary dial; Breguet introduces something entirely new to the brand’s collection. For the first time, Breguet uses aventurine enamel, a material chosen for its celestial sparkle and its connection to the astronomical studies that once fascinated Abraham-Louis Breguet. Its deep blue surface glows with a star-like brilliance, creating a cosmic backdrop for the newly liberated tourbillon. Together, the airborne mechanism and the night-sky enamel transform this timepiece into more than just a commemorative piece — it becomes a poetic bridge between centuries of horological mastery and the future Breguet continues to shape.

The name “Sidéral” is no poetic coincidence. In astronomical terms, it refers to measurements guided not by the sun but by the fixed constellations — a nod to timekeeping rooted in the stars rather than the day’s light. Breguet intentionally embraces that celestial meaning, weaving the idea of cosmic precision throughout the Sidéral 7255. It’s a reminder that long before Abraham-Louis Breguet reshaped horology, humanity looked to the heavens to define the passing of time, trusting the constancy of the night sky.

That astronomical thread persists through the tourbillon itself. While the complication is now celebrated for its mechanical elegance, its roots intersect with scientific thought from centuries earlier. In the 17th century, Blaise Pascal expanded on the word “tourbillon,” describing it as a rotating material system — a concept he connected to the motion of planets. That philosophical link has never truly faded. Even today, the tourbillon maintains a subtle connection to celestial mechanics, evolving in shape but still echoing the rotational harmony observed above us.

Which brings us to the highlight of this anniversary timepiece: the flying tourbillon. Unlike the traditional design supported by an upper bridge, this version is mounted without visible anchoring from above, creating the illusion that the mechanism is floating freely within its cage. On the Sidéral 7255, it hovers over the dial with a purposeful lightness — a mechanical constellation of its own, rotating in space as if unaffected by gravity. It’s a stunning visual, and a fitting tribute to both the astronomical origins of the tourbillon and Breguet’s unwavering pursuit of refinement.

Breguet CEO Gregory Kissling | Image: Breguet

The flying tourbillon inside the Sidéral 7255 isn’t just visually striking — its construction represents a meaningful shift for the maison. Breguet chose to eliminate the traditional upper pivot entirely, building the mechanism so that all its stability comes from the base. This foundation is formed from sapphire glass treated with an anti-reflective coating, allowing the point of interaction between the gears and the carriage to nearly disappear. That architectural decision creates the uncanny illusion that the tourbillon is drifting freely above the dial, untouched by physical support — a sensation that instantly sets this timepiece apart. For Breguet, this is more than a refinement; it’s a moment of evolution, something CEO Gregory Kissling acknowledges as a first in the brand’s long lineage.

“It is, quite simply, the very first time in Breguet’s history that a flying tourbillon is being introduced. A beautiful way to celebrate its 224th anniversary,” Kissling said. “And the tourbillon model we chose to reinterpret is no ordinary one: among the tourbillon movements in Breguet’s archives, it is the one used in the very first Breguet tourbillon wristwatch, unveiled in 1990 under reference 3350.

“Invented by Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1801, the tourbillon remains one of the most complex complications in watchmaking. Its mastery embodies the technical excellence to which the House of Breguet has remained faithful for more than two centuries,” the Breguet CEO continued. “The Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 thus pays homage to that iconic timepiece and to the master’s invention. I would even go so far as to say that this creation is an ode to the tourbillon itself, where time indication is almost secondary…”

Breguet Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 Ref. 7255BH/2Y/9VU | Image: Breguet
Breguet Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 Ref. 7255BH/2Y/9VU | Image: Breguet
Breguet Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 Ref. 7255BH/2Y/9VU | Image: Breguet

The spirit of Abraham-Louis Breguet continues to resonate through every modern creation bearing his name, and the Sidéral 7255 might be the clearest example yet. More than 200 years after the original tourbillon patent, the maison is still refining his quest for accuracy and resilience. The “mysterious” flying tourbillon shown here wasn’t something Breguet hurried into—it’s the result of meticulous development over many years, pushed until the floating effect reached the level of perfection the brand demands.

What surrounds that airborne mechanism is equally extraordinary. The Sidéral 7255 is crafted from a selection of materials chosen not only for beauty but also for significance: 18K Breguet gold components, a hand-guilloché caseback, and that captivating aventurine enamel dial whose celestial shimmer links the entire design to astronomy. Every element works in harmony, giving the timepiece both visual poetry and technical credibility.

Exclusivity defines the story. With only 50 examples to be produced and a price around USD $226,000, this isn’t just a watch — it’s a statement piece for those who appreciate its craftsmanship. Some creations are hard to put into words, much like the night sky the dial hints at. The Sidéral 7255 fits that description. If you come across one… don’t forget your favourite magazine editor.

Breguet Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 Ref. 7255BH/2Y/9VU | Image: Breguet
  • Brand: Breguet
  • Model: Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255
  • Reference: 7255BH/2Y/9VU
  • Diameter: 38 mm
  • Thickness: 10.2 mm
  • Material: 18K Breguet gold
  • Dial Colour: Blue – Grand Feu Enamel Aventurine
  • Calibre: 187M1
  • Power Reserve: 50 Hours
  • Water Resistance: 3 Bar (30 metres, 100 feet )
  • Price: USD $226,000 (Limited Edition – 50 Pieces)

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Bvlgari Unveils the World’s Thinnest Tourbillon: The 1.85mm Octo Finissimo Ultra

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The race for ultra-thin supremacy just got a whole lot more exciting — and once again, Bvlgari is leading the pack. Unveiled at Watches & Wonders 2025, the new Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon slices through expectations with a mind-blowing thickness of just 1.85mm, reclaiming the title of the world’s thinnest tourbillon watch from Piaget’s Altiplano Concept Tourbillon (2mm). Limited to only 20 pieces and carrying a price tag of USD$678,000, this featherweight marvel proves that when it comes to pushing boundaries, Bvlgari isn’t just playing the game — they’re rewriting the rulebook.

Of course, this kind of mastery didn’t happen overnight. Bvlgari has been obsessed with shaving down millimetres since 2014, stacking up world records with releases like the thinnest minute repeater (2016), the groundbreaking Octo Finissimo Automatic (2017), and the slimmest perpetual calendar ever seen (2021). As Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of LVMH Watches and Bvlgari, put it best, “each record has been a stepping stone. It’s not just about crossing barriers — it’s about completely redefining mechanical watchmaking.” With the Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon, they’re not just breaking records but casually obliterating them.

Highlights:

  • Bvlgari reclaims the crown with the Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon, which measures an unbelievable 1.85mm in thickness.
  • Featuring eight patents and a fused case design, this ultra-thin marvel demonstrates that innovation and elegance can coexist harmoniously.
  • Limited to 20 Pieces: Priced at USD $678,000, this featherweight champion is as rare as it is revolutionary.
Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillion | Image: Bvlgari

Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillion

  • Brand: Bvlgari
  • Model: Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillion
  • Diameter: 40 mm
  • Material: Titanium
  • Dial Colour: Mechanical Skeleton
  • Calibre: BVL 900
  • Power Reserve:  42 Hours
  • Water Resistance:  3 Bar ( 30 metres / 100 feet)
  • Price:  USD $678,000 (Limited Edition – 20 Pieces)

With a diameter of 40mm, this watch presents a clean, focused look featuring a two-hand display. It showcases rhodium-plated hour and minute hands against a sand-blasted brass background, finished with a dark anthracite DLC coating. The integrated titanium bracelet, featuring a microbead-frosted finish, complements the case’s slender profile with an impressive thickness of only 1.5mm. Despite being thinner than a coin, the Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon still makes a striking impression.

Beneath the sleek surface lies a world of technical mastery. To achieve something this radical, Bvlgari secured eight patents, covering everything from a differential display system to a revolutionary crystal mounting technique. Even the bracelet design received its own patent.

One of the most critical innovations was combining the case middle directly with the main plate, a move that not only saved valuable microns but also provided the entire structure with added strength without sacrificing the paper-thin profile.

Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillion | Image: Bvlgari
Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillion | Image: Bvlgari

Beneath this record-breaking watch beats a tungsten carbide main plate, forming the backbone of the mechanical movement. Two flat, stainless steel crowns — one positioned at 8 o’clock for winding and the other at 3 o’clock for setting the time — protrude like futuristic controls, adding a touch of sci-fi charm to the overall design. Everywhere you look, the attention to detail is staggering: a polished sloping bezel, rhodium-plated tourbillon components, and intricate geometric engravings on the ratchet bring even more flair to this technical marvel.

As Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani, Bvlgari’s Product Creation Executive Director, explained, “the goal wasn’t just thinness — it was about achieving precise execution while honoring the distinctive aesthetic codes of the Octo Finissimo line.” In the Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon, Bvlgari didn’t just break another record — they created a mechanical masterpiece that is as visually arresting as it is technically groundbreaking.

Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillion | Image: Bvlgari

True to Bvlgari tradition, the Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon draws inspiration from the coffered ceilings of ancient Roman architecture, specifically the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine. This rich heritage informs a bold octagonal design for the watch, but the true magic unfolds inside. Powering this record-breaking beauty is the BVF 900 calibre — a hand-wound movement that beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and provides a 42-hour power reserve. Compared to last year’s BVL 180 COSC-certified movement, this one sacrifices a touch of runtime (and skips official certification) to accommodate a full-blown tourbillon — adding only a hair-thin 0.15mm in thickness; truly engineering at its most extreme, without a doubt.

Sure, it might not match the specifications of the previous Ultra COSC regarding power reserve, but let’s be honest: when you strap the world’s thinnest tourbillon to your wrist, you’re not exactly nitpicking — you’re flexing. And frankly, you’ve already won with something this breathtaking on your arm.

Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillion | Image: Bvlgari

Are you thinking of adding one to your collection? You’ll need more than just deep pockets — only 20 Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon examples exist. And if your authorized dealer hasn’t already called, best of luck getting a hands-on one of them.

On the bright side, Bvlgari also released the Octo Finissimo Skeleton 8 Days at Watches & Wonders 2025, a stunning titanium piece that is somewhat more accessible — and still very much part of the Octo Finissimo legacy.

Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillion | Image: Bvlgari
Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillion | Image: Bvlgari
Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillion | Image: Bvlgari
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