Can this new CEO revive one of the world's oldest watch brands?
Having started his role at Breguet last year, Kissling's determination will surely be tested again as he attempts to revive the brand's fortunes.
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Man of Many
2 days ago
- Man of Many
Breguet's First-Ever Flying Tourbillon is a ‘Mysterious' Ode to the Master
By Jacob Osborn - News Published: 3 Jul 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 5 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. Iconic watchmaker Breguet has announced the Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 , the fourth chapter in its 250th anniversary celebrations. , the fourth chapter in its 250th anniversary celebrations. The release date, the 26th of June 2025, is in homage to the 26th of June 1801, when Abraham-Louis Breguet obtained a patent for his invention of the tourbillon . . Limited to just 50 timepieces, the Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 represents the first Breguet model to feature a 'flying tourbillon'. We love ourselves a great mystery and a great timepiece, and Breguet has delivered both in its latest anniversary watch. Visually stunning at first sight, the latest Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 also emanates with historical significance, astronomical implications, and mechanical brilliance. Its release date of 26 June 2025 marks 224 years since the tourbillon mechanism was patented by founder Abraham-Louis Breguet himself. To honour this enduring benchmark, the watchmaker has introduced its first-ever flying tourbillon, complete with a 'mysterious' design that was years in the making. Breguet was founded in 1775, and so the Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 arrives on the watchmaker's 250th anniversary while simultaneously commemorating the original tourbillon patent. Not only does it represent the brand's first flying tourbillon, but also their first use of aventurine enamel on the dial. The unique enamel pays tribute to astronomy and early observations of the starry night sky, with a celestial sparkle that adorns an otherwise deep blue dial face. Call it the perfect touch of subtle detail on the transfixing display, and a deft reminder of the founder's astronomical fixations. Breguet Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 Ref. 7255BH/2Y/9VU | Image: Supplied Indeed, the very word 'Sidéral' loosely translates to 'related to the stars or constellations,' and draws upon astronomical timekeeping (based not on the sun but the fixed position of the stars). The watch further corresponds with astronomy through its use of a tourbillon. In the 17th century, mathematician Blaise Pascal expanded upon the meaning of tourbillon to describe a 'material system animated with rotational motion,' applying the concept to planetary systems. In the horological realm, the tourbillon remains directly linked to astronomy, even as it continues to evolve. And now we arrive at the flying tourbillon itself, as presented on Breguet's new anniversary release. Perched inside an elegant cage on the dial face, the complex mechanism differs from its traditional counterparts through the absence of an upper bar. It thus appears suspended in space as if untethered to the laws of gravity. Breguet CEO Gregory Kissling | Image: Breguet This particular iteration goes one step further by eschewing a pivot at the top to anchor all the support at the base, resulting in better balance and improved adjustability. Meanwhile, the lower support system is made of sapphire glass with an anti-reflective coating, rendering the point of contact between the gears and carriage invisible to enhance the suspended effect. Gaze upon this feat of engineering and behold a tourbillon that appears to be truly flying in place, something Breguet CEO Gregory Kissling marks as a true brand-first. '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: Supplied Breguet Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 Ref. 7255BH/2Y/9VU | Image: Supplied Breguet Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 Ref. 7255BH/2Y/9VU | Image: Supplied Breguet Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 Ref. 7255BH/2Y/9VU | Image: Supplied Over two centuries after A.-L. Breguet patented the tourbillon mechanism, his namesake manufacture carries forth his vision of supreme robustness and accuracy. It took the watchmaker years to master the 'mysterious' complication that debuts on the Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255, which cranks up the flying effect. Combine that with a slew of superlative materials and details – including 18K Breguet gold elements, a handmade guilloché case back, and the aforementioned aventurine enamel dial – and you're looking at a masterpiece on multiple fronts. Some things go beyond mere words, no matter how much we attempt to describe them. The celestial universe around us is one. Breguet's Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 is another. Limited to just 50 units, it's available for approximately USD$226,000. Buy us one, will you? Breguet Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 Ref. 7255BH/2Y/9VU | Image: Supplied Breguet Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 Ref. 7255BH/2Y/9VU Brand : Breguet : Breguet Model : Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 : Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 Reference : Ref. 7255BH/2Y/9VU : Ref. 7255BH/2Y/9VU Diameter : 38mm : 38mm Thickness : 10.2mm : 10.2mm Movement : Hand-wound Calibre 187M1 : Hand-wound Calibre 187M1 Power Reserve : 50 hours : 50 hours Availability : Limited to 50 pieces : Limited to 50 pieces Price: USD$226,000
AU Financial Review
3 days ago
- AU Financial Review
Can this new CEO revive one of the world's oldest watch brands?
Gregory Kissling is an ultra-marathon runner. For five years, the Breguet CEO competed in the Bieler Lauftage, a 100-kilometre race in Switzerland, persisting until he finally nailed his goal of finishing in under 10 hours. 'You really need to have this mindset to never give up,' he says, sitting in Breguet's giant boutique in the Xintiandi area of Shanghai. The same attitude, he insists, is necessary when developing innovations in watchmaking. 'It's never easy and you fail many times, but you have to keep trying.' Having started his role at Breguet last year, Kissling's determination will surely be tested again as he attempts to revive the brand's fortunes.
Man of Many
19-06-2025
- Man of Many
The Wind Up – Watch News #328
By Mr Dimitri Tsilioris - News Published: 15 June 2025 |Last Updated: 10 June 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 7 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. Welcome back to The Wind Up, our weekly series highlighting the newest watches of the past seven days. With Watches & Wonders 2025 now in the rear-view mirror, it's time to set our sights on the future. The world's biggest brands are back on the design block, unveiling a string of incredible haute horology pieces, daily drivers and unique novelties. From dive watches and sports timepieces to the latest in classy dress watches and grand complications, the last few weeks have offered no shortage of stand-out announcements. What's more, it isn't over yet. This week, the world's biggest watchmakers—and a few budding independents—kept the good vibes rolling. In this latest instalment, we'll be featuring some of the coolest new watches, including pieces from the likes of Breguet, Ulysse Nardin and Hublot. Happy reading, fellas, and I hope you have a great week ahead. Frederique Constant Classic Tourbillon Manufacture | Image: Frederique Constant Frederique Constant Classic Tourbillon Manufacture Brand: Frederique Constant Frederique Constant Model: Classic Tourbillon Manufacture Classic Tourbillon Manufacture Reference: Ref. FC-980MPBL3H8 Ref. FC-980MPBL3H8 Diameter: 39mm 39mm Thickness: 10.99mm 10.99mm Material : White gold : White gold Water Resistance: 30 metres 30 metres Movement: Calibre FC-980-4 Calibre FC-980-4 Power Reserve: 38 hours 38 hours Price: CHF34,995 (Limited to 36 pieces) New from Frederique Constant is the Classic Tourbillon Manufacture, now with a blue-grey mother-of-pearl dial. Encased in a three-part white gold case, the Frederique Constant Classic Tourbillon Manufacture is an emphatic take on some higher-end watchmaking from Frederique Constant, which has become somewhat synonymous with affordability and accessibility. The mother-of-pearl dial is beautifully paired with a light blue alligator leather strap, complementing the dial's soft yet vivid colour palette. Soft and warm, the unique fusion of subtle grey and blue hues works exceptionally well to enhance the aesthetic of the 18-carat white gold case while also showing off the brilliance of the hand-applied hour markers. The in-house tourbillon is on full display through an aperture at 6 o'clock and sports some really nice architecture. Overall, it's a lovely bit of kit, albeit a touch expensive. Frederique Constant has confirmed that only 36 individually numbered pieces will be produced, each priced at CHF34,995. Hublot Big Bang Meca-10 Concrete Jungle | Image: Hublot Hublot Big Bang Meca-10 Concrete Jungle Brand: Hublot Hublot Model: Big Bang Meca-10 Concrete Jungle Big Bang Meca-10 Concrete Jungle Reference: Ref. Ref. Diameter: 44mm 44mm Thickness: 15.30mm 15.30mm Material : Concrete : Concrete Water Resistance: 50 metres 50 metres Movement: Calibre HUB1201 Calibre HUB1201 Power Reserve: 10 days 10 days Price: AUD$50,800 Hublot is making some serious moves of late. Just a few short weeks after announcing the first tourbillon to arrive in the Square Bang family, the high-end watchmaker has followed it up with a stunning all-purpose beast. The Big Bang Meca-10 Concrete Jungle, as the name implies, is an homage to the streets of New York City, arriving complete with a remarkable concrete case and bezel. As Julian Tornare, CEO of Hublot, explained, the industrial component not only plays up to the maison's innovative approach, but also to the raw brutalism that drives the new era of watchmaking. 'Concrete has long been misunderstood as cold and industrial, but in the world of high design, it has become something else entirely—tactile, refined, even expressive,' Tornare said. 'With the Big Bang MECA-10 Concrete Jungle, this timepiece captures the raw energy of New York and the meticulous precision of Swiss watchmaking. This timepiece is dedicated to our new New York Boutique and is crafted from the same material as our new Fifth Avenue boutique's façade.' While there are numerous highlights to call out, the Big Bang Meca-10 Concrete Jungle's open-worked dial is perhaps the most impressive of all. The structure houses exposed bridges, wheels, and various indicators, providing a visual feast that feels entirely contemporary, particularly with the dots of red that break up an otherwise monotone look. Of course, the star attraction here is the Big Bang Meca-10 Concrete Jungle's 10-day power reserve, thanks to the hand-wound HUB1201 movement. Breguet Type XX Chronographe Limited Edition | Image: Breguet Breguet Type XX Chronographe Limited Edition Bra nd : Breguet Breguet Model: Type XX Chronographe Limited Edition Type XX Chronographe Limited Edition Reference: Ref. 2075BH/G9/398 Ref. 2075BH/G9/398 Diameter: 38.30mm 38.30mm Thickness: 13.20mm 13.20mm Material : Breguet gold : Breguet gold Water Resistance: 50 metres 50 metres Movement: Calibre 7278 Calibre 7278 Power Reserve: 60 hours 60 hours Price: AUD$66,500 (Limited to 250 pieces) Breguet's 250th anniversary celebrations continue with a pair of vintage-inspired chronographs, the highlight of which is undoubtedly the Type XX Chronographe Limited Edition. Encased in the maison's very own gold alloy, the Type XX Chronographe Limited Edition does away with a date window and instead sports an enlarged 15-minute totaliser in the stylised 'Big Eye' enlarged format. It's a unique take on the classic Breguet style, which may well have its detractors, but this is perhaps the most exciting Type XX model released so far. According to Gregory Kissling, CEO of Breguet, the new models provide a glimpse into A-L Breguet's original ethos, right down to the spirit of creation. 'These new Type XX timepieces, with their smaller diameter and hand-wound movement, venerate the design codes of the original models,' Kissling said. Inside, the stunning new timepiece is powered by the calibre 7279, marking the first time the product line has boasted manually wound movements. Essentially a variation of the high-performance, 5 Hz calibre 728 introduced by Breguet in 2023, this movement incorporates a flyback function that allows the watch to be reset to zero and a new count instantly started by a single press of the pusher located at 4 o'clock. You'll also find a 15-minute counter at 3 o'clock and a small seconds display at 9 o'clock. The Type XX Chronographe Limited Edition's manually wound movement is covered by a plate that covers most of its inner workings. However, the plate itself is rather special and features a hand-engraved depiction of the Breguet 19 aeroplane designed by Louis Breguet. According to the brand, the engraving also depicts the precise route taken in 1930, the European and North American landmasses' frosted finishing contrasts against the smooth Atlantic Ocean. Simply stunning, but you would expect nothing less from Breguet. Ulysse Nardin Freak X Gold Enamel | Image: Ulysse Nardin Ulysse Nardin Freak X Gold Enamel Bra nd : Ulysse Nardin Ulysse Nardin Model: Freak X Gold Enamel Freak X Gold Enamel Reference: Ref. 2305-270LE-3AE-BLUE/1A Ref. 2305-270LE-3AE-BLUE/1A Diameter: 43mm 43mm Thickness: 13.38mm 13.38mm Material : Titanium and rose gold : Titanium and rose gold Water Resistance: 50 metres 50 metres Movement: Calibre UN-230 Calibre UN-230 Power Reserve: 72 hours 72 hours Price: USD48,500 (Limited to 120 pieces) Finally, from Ulysse Nardin, is the Freak X Gold Enamel; a nod to the maison's most important product lineup and the classic finery of a rare métier d'art. Featuring a blue PVD titanium and rose gold case, alongside the same incredible rotating heaving mass that the Freak has become synonymous with, this timepiece is every bit a world-stopper. A main point of differentiation with the Freak X Gold Enamel is the blue flinqué enamel dial, which adds another element of drama to a watch that is already super cinematic. According to the brand, the Freak X builds on the same principles as the original Freak, with the entire movement rotating to indicate time. For the uninitiated, the hours are shown by a pointer on a rotating disc, while the movement itself completes a full revolution every hour to mark the minutes. 'This complication, known as a flying carousel, is unique in that the movement is held without an upper bridge, seemingly 'flying' above the hour disc, creating a mesmerising visual and mechanical show.' The Ulysse Nardin Freak X Gold Enamel is an exceptional timepiece whose real prowess lies within its mechanism. But with that said, it's always fun to see new iterations of the Freak X, and in the Freak X Gold Enamel that is still absolutely the case.
