Breguet presents the unique Réveil Musical watch for Only Watch 2011. This one-of-a-kind timepiece will be auctioned on September 23, 2011 with all proceeds going to help the fight against Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The Réveil Musical watch plays "Castle in the sky," at the press of a button, or at a pre-set time. The dial displays a child's hand and once it completes a full rotation it touches the adult hand, symbolizing inter-generational solidarity and support for research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The Réveil comes in a 48 mm 18k white gold case, with a case band finely engraved with a musical stave. The caseback is personalized for Only Watch 2011 and engraved with "piece unique."

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Breguet introduced Classique 5717 Hora Mundi with the world's first mechanical instant-jump time-zone display system with synchronized date, day/night and city indications. This complication allows the wearer to preselect, from among the 24 time zone cities listed, two cities for which to display the local time. The wearer can then change from one to the other by simply pressing on the combined crown/pushpiece at 8 o'clock, which triggers an instant jump.

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(Click image for gallery - 2 photos)

Breguet Press Release

"Building on the success enjoyed at its launch in 2009, the Manufacture Breguet is offering a re-edition of its Classique 7337 this year, perfectly embodying the values of the House: elegance, refinement, timelessness and technical innovations. The brand's distinctive off-centred chapter ring and small seconds at 5 o'clock lend the customary asymmetrical touch. Exactly like on the historical watch N° 3833, the day and date indication appear on either side of the phases and age of the moon indications appearing at the top of the off-centred chapter ring. This creation with its hand-guiloché dial bears eloquent testimony to the constant quest for excellence and exclusivity characteristic of all Breguet creations."

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The founder of Breguet, Abraham Louis Breguet was appointed as horologer to the French Royal Navy in 1815, and has always had close ties with the Navy. Breguet has consistently supplied high precision timekeepers to the Navy over the past two centuries. The French Fleet Air Arm, or Naval Aviation, generally referred to a Aéronavale, is celebrating its hundredth anniversary in 2010. So Breguet has created a new 1000-piece limited edition Type XX chronograph to celebrate this anniversary.

The first Type XX model was created 50 years ago in a cooperation between Breguet and Aéronavale. This model, like all Type XX watches features a "flyback" chronograph function. That particular version remained in service until 1980, and it is now one of the most sought after Breguet timepieces.

For the 100th anniversary Breguet has created the limited edition Type XX Aéronavale 3803ST. Limited numbered series are a rarity for Breguet, which further highlights the importance of this relationship. This Type XX features an unusual black-laquered rotating bezel with raised numerals, as well as an exclusive winding crown and special markings comprising the official emblem of the Naval Aviation centenary.

The Type XX Aéronavale Limited Edition Series Chronograph (REF. 3803ST/92/W6) features a 39 mm round steel case, with a fluted middle and rounder lugs. The bezel is bidirectional. The caseback is solid with an engraving of the official NavalAviation centenary emblem. The dial is matte black, with luminous hands and numerals. The chapter ring has Arabic numerals. The movement is a self-winding chronograph with flyback function. The movement is numbered and signed Breguet Cal. 581 with 25 jewels and a 48-hour power reserve. It has an annular balance a Swiss straight-line lever escapement. The strap is hand-swen calfskin leather. Water resistance is 100 meters (333ft).

Retail $9,200

Source: Breguet

At Baselworld 2010, Breguet introduced the Type XXII Flyback Chronograph GMT, which runs at a velocious rate of 10 hertz. The timepiece above is identical to the production version, but this particular sample did not have a working movement inside. Last year, Audemars Piguet unveiled a very impressive high rate movement, with a high-tech escapement made using traditional watchmaking materials. Audemars Piguet's "AP Escapement" movement runs at 43,200 VPH or 6Hz, which is fast. But the Breguet, silicon escapement based movement, is even faster, at 10 hertz which is 72,000 vibrations per hour. The Breguet Type XXII Flyback Chronograph GMT will have the fastest movement on the market. One benefit is the ability to record with 1/20th of second chronograph accuracy, and the other obvious benefit, is higher accuracy in timekeeping.

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At Baselworld 2010, in March, I had a chance to view Breguet's new collection. I really liked the new Marine Royale watches (shown). Available in either 18-carat white gold or rose gold. It is available in four versions, white gold with white gold dial, white gold with dark dial, rose gold with rose gold dial and rose gold with dark dial.

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At Baselworld 2010, which starts March 18th, Breguet will introduce a new Bregeut Tradition Fusee Tourbillon with a Breguet overcoil in silicon. Very few watchmakers currently have a Fusee Chain transmission in their répertoire. In fact, the only other company I can think of, is A. Lange & Sohne, with their Pour le Mérite. But for Breguet, the inventor of the tourbillon, an ultra complicated Fusee-and-chain transmission was not enough. So, the watchmakers at Breguet added a tourbillon and Breguet's new silicon balance spring.

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Breguet Tradition 7037BA

Last week, I visited the New York City Breguet boutique, in Midtown Manhattan. The Breguet boutique is located adjacent to the Blancpain boutique, on Madison Avenue, in-between 66th and 67th Street. Breguet is the flaship brand within the Swatch Group, so it is always a treat to see what they have to offer. During my visit, I was able to try on numerous timepieces and I also had a chance to photograph three of these timepieces. The Breguet Marine Chronograph Rose Gold, the Breguet Tradition 7037BA and the Breguet Classique 5177BA.

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