On June 26, 1801, a momentous horological event occurred when Abraham-Louis Breguet was issued a patent for his tourbillon regulator. The history of time has always centered on precision timekeeping, and watchmakers over the centuries have developed means to combat the multitude of factors affecting it, including temperature and magnetism, position and gravity. Breguet sought to minimize gravity’s effects when he observed it greatly influenced the delicate workings of the heart of the watch, the escapement. The tourbillon is a rotating cage within which the escapement is mounted. As it rotates, the positional errors of the movement are averaged out improving the overall precision of the watch. While the patent was issued in 1801, it was not until 1805 that commercialized examples became available, and it has remained over the last 200 years very much the same as when Breguet first revealed it.

The Grande Complication Tourbillon 1801-2001 was introduced in 2001 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the invention of the tourbillon by Breguet. Sporting a half-hunter case, the timepiece is reminiscent of traditional pocket watches, while the transparent case back reveals the cal. 557, designed with the specifications from the original patent documents by Breguet. Further exemplary of the maison’s distinctive aesthetics is the Breguet hands and Roman numerals on a white grand feu enamel, the dial is further painted “1801 – 2001”.

The present example in pink gold is a rarity among 21st century timepieces. Preserved in excellent condition and accompanied by its original accessories, the timepiece showcases both exceptional craftsmanship and mechanical innovation.