For the Only Watch 2023 charity auction, Breguet presents a unique version of its Marine Hora Mundi model.
Launched in March 2022, the Breguet Marine Hora Mundi watch features a patented mechanism that allows changing time zone at a single click – a technical feat made possible by handling the pusher and crown.
After setting the first city, the time and the date, the watch wearer need only then set the second city. The timepiece’s mechanism calculates the time and date in the latter using a clever system of cams, hammers and an integrated differential.
After that, simply pressing the pusher is enough to move from one end of the planet to the other without disturbing the precise running of the watch.
Moreover, the dial offers a fascinating wrist-worn interpretation of the terrestrial planisphere by playing on materials and various superimposed plates.
On the first gold base, the hand-guilloché waves lap gently against the continents’ shorelines. The sunburst blue dial background is engraved with “wave” decorations. An additional sapphire plate displays the luminescent gold hour-markers along with the engraved and varnished navy blue continents.
For this special edition, and as a reminder that the planet never sleeps, multiple bright rose gold dots stand out on Earth. Finally, an external flange holds the various elements present on the dial. The result features brilliantly executed dimensions and surfaces thanks to different treatments requiring several weeks of work.
The Breguet hours and minutes hands are enhanced with red luminescent material recalling the Only Watch 2023 colours – a reference also featured on the trapeze-shaped hour-markers and on the anchor located at 6 o’clock, indicating the reference city. In a nod to the Only Foundation, the city of Paris has been replaced by the principality of Monaco in red.
The hand-hammered Sun and Moon at 4 o’clock lend a strongly realistic touch. While the Sun glows in a luminous rose gold, the rhodium-plated moon takes on a mysterious grey appearance.
The date is indicated through an aperture at 12 o’clock, with a retrograde hand added to the date system. Ingeniously placed under the aperture, it is tipped with a “U” shape serving to encircle the current date.
The lightly brouillé (blurred) finish is an updated version of a historical watchmaking decoration, giving the watch a matt yet shiny effect. It also facilitates reading while remaining discreet.
The 43.9 mm-diameter rose gold case houses Calibre 77F1, whose balance oscillates at a frequency of 4 Hz. This mechanical self-winding movement features an escapement made of silicon, which is resistant to both corrosion and wear that is also insensitive to the effects of magnetic fields.
The Calibre 77F1 incorporates various patented additional modules. These include the dual-time mechanism, the second time-zone display, the programmable and reprogrammable mechanical memory wheel as well as the pointer-type day/night display.
Visible through the sapphire caseback, the movement is elegantly adorned with a Côtes de Genève motif, as well as guilloché and snailed finishing.
The oscillating weight with its distinctive rudder-like appearance is made of black-treated gold. Finally, the “Pièce Unique” and “Only Watch 2023” engravings appear at 12 and 6 o’clock respectively.
Technical details
Model: Breguet Marine Hora Mundi Only Watch 2023 Unique Piece
Reference 5555BR/YS/5WV
Case
18-carat rose gold
Diameter: 43.9 mm
Thickness: 13.80 mm
Water resistance: 10 bar (100 m)
Dial
Sunburst and guilloché blue, sapphire plates
Movement
Self-winding Calibre 77F1
Frequency: 4 Hz
Power reserve: 55 hours
Components: 384
Escapement: inverted straight-line lever escapement with silicon pallet-horns, escape-wheel and flat balance-spring
Functions
Hours, minutes and seconds
Pre-programmable instantaneous-jump dual-time display with synchronised date
Day/night indication and city
Strap
Midnight blue rubber strap with triple-blade folding clasp in 18-carat rose gold
Estimate
CHF 70,000 – 80,000
USD 77,000 – 88,000
EUR 72,100 – 82,400
