Tourbillon | Ref. 3357 | Yellow Gold

In 1988, Breguet introduced the first tourbillon wristwatch to carry the Breguet name. This reference 3357 boasts a movement developed by Daniel Roth while he was Master Watchmaker at Breguet, working closely with the Lemania movement manufacturer. Later on, as an independent watchmaker, Roth would use the same ébauche in the tourbillons he produced under his own name.

The rebirth of Breguet began in 1970, when brothers Jacques and Pierre Chaumet took over in the hopes of reinvigorating the brand and renewing the connection between the Breguet name and high-end watchmaking. To do so, they would need a Master Watchmaker to help. They approached Daniel Roth, who’d demonstrated his talent over seven years working at Audemars Piguet, which he’d joined as the only watchmaker who didn’t come from Le Brassus, the brand’s historic home. Inspired by the work of the famous watchmaker, Roth agreed to help resuscitate the manufacture, though only after going back to school to further study Breguet’s archives and techniques.

In 1988, Breguet introduced the reference 3350, which became the first tourbillon wristwatch produced under the Breguet number. A few years later, in the early ‘90s, they replaced it with the reference 3357, which was almost identical except for a few cosmetic changes. This example is interesting because it presents characteristics of the 3350 and 3357, likely making it a “transitional” example between the two references. Whilst you can find “REF. 3357” engraved on the caseback, other physical characteristics of the watch are the ones you would expect to find on the earlier reference 3350. These details include a subtle champagne tone to the dial, a lack of any additional text on the guilloché, an unsigned crown and an early “A” serial on the caseback, all of which distinguish this as an early piece.

This tourbillon is powered by the manual-winding calibre 558. The movement was initially produced by Lemania, working closely with Bodet and Roth from Breguet. Nouvelle Lemania was eventually acquired by Breguet in 1992, which in turn was absorbed into the Swatch Group in 1999.

If sold within the United Kingdom, this Breguet Tourbillon Ref. 3357 will be subject to 20% VAT.

Closer look

This Breguet Tourbillon 3357 is in very good condition overall, with a few superficial marks throughout consistent with minimal wear. The hallmarks on the caseback remain crisp and deep.

The watch comes with a two-year warranty from A Collected Man, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.