Introducing Breguet Unveils the Classique Hora Mundi 5555 Commemorative Edition

Two and a half centuries after its founding, the Breguet manufacture, today part of the Swatch Group, marks its 250th anniversary with a remarkable creation the Classique Hora Mundi 5555. This fifth anniversary model delights with refined details, a technically sophisticated mechanism, and exceptional craftsmanship. Limited to just 50 pieces, it debuts in an 18K Breguet gold case and showcases an entirely new two-layer dial. The superimposed construction comprising a guilloché base and a sapphire overlay, adds both depth and artistry to a dual-time watch that instantly switches between time zones at the touch of a button.

The name “Hora Mundi” dates back to 1996, when the first watch under this designation appeared in the Marine collection. “As we wanted to distance ourselves from overly generic terms such as GMT or Worldtimer, we opted for the Latin translation of ‘hours of the world’,” explains Breguet CEO Gregory Kissling.

In 2011, the Classique Hora Mundi 5717, the true precursor to today’s model, was introduced. It already featured the brand’s ingenious mechanism: an instantaneous second time zone with memory function, accompanied by synchronised displays for the date, day/night indicator, and reference city.

Like the other anniversary models, Classique Souscription 2025, Tradition Seconde Rétrograde 7035, Type XX Chronographe 2075, and Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255, and now the new Hora Mundi 5555 is presented in Breguet gold. The case measures 43.9 mm in diameter, 13.8 mm in height, and offers water resistance to 100 meters. It is topped with a domed, anti-reflective sapphire crystal, while the sapphire crystal caseback reveals the movement alongside the engraved anniversary motif “Quai de l’Horloge.” Hand-engraved numbering (No. XX/50) appears on the bezel of the caseback, while the fluted caseband and twin crowns, at 3 o’clock for time and date, and at 8 o’clock for the second time zone, underline the technical sophistication.

The dial is a masterpiece in itself, constructed in two layers. The base is a guilloché gold plate with a color gradient from sky blue to navy, intersected by longitude and latitude lines that converge at the cardinal points, giving an illusion of curvature despite its flat surface. This is overlaid with an intricately decorated sapphire crystal, creating the impression of viewing Earth from space.

The sapphire dial undergoes a three-stage, entirely hand-executed painting process. First, the continents are miniature-painted on the reverse and then enamelled. Next, a cloud motif is applied to the front and fired at high temperatures. Unlike the fixed outlines of the continents, the clouds are ever-changing, offering Breguet’s artisans creative freedom. Finally, the luminous city lights are added, not with Super-LumiNova, but with phosphorescent enamel, enhancing the dial’s artistry.

Additional luminous details using light-grey Super-LumiNova with blue glow, are found on the blued gold Roman numerals, hour indices, altitude ring, and the 18K gold pomme-tipped Breguet hands. At 4 o’clock, the day/night indicator features a radiant Breguet gold Sun with a sunburst finish and a hand-hammered Moon, while the date is displayed in an aperture at 12 o’clock.

At its core lies the calibre 77F1, which has powered the Hora Mundi collection since 2022 as the successor to the 77F0. This automatic movement, beating at 28,800 vph (4 Hz), incorporates a silicon escapement and offers a 55-hour power reserve. It houses patented mechanisms for the instant-jump dual time display and programmable mechanical memory wheel. The finishing, Côtes de Genève and perlage, remains true to Breguet’s haute horlogerie tradition.

The watch is fitted with a navy blue alligator leather strap secured by an 18K Breguet gold triple-folding clasp. An additional rubber strap is provided, housed in a red Moroccan leather presentation case. Limited to 50 numbered pieces, the Hora Mundi 5555 is priced at CHF 88,000, approximately AED 404,000.

For more information, visit Breguet official website.