Breguet continues to celebrate its 250th anniversary with a timepiece that embodies the brand's rich heritage and technical mastery. The Marine Hora Mundi 5555 is a limited edition watch that captures the essence of world travel, the night sky, and centuries of expert craftsmanship. This watch demonstrates how Breguet seamlessly blends artistry with horology, resulting in a piece that is as visually captivating as it is mechanically impressive.
A Dual-Layered Dial Like No Other
The Marine Hora Mundi 5555 immediately draws attention with its dual-layered dial, a feature that sets it apart from nearly every other world-timer watch. The base layer is crafted from gold and features a blue gradient that evokes the transition from sky to sea. Hand-guilloché lines create subtle meridians and parallels, giving the impression of viewing the Earth from above.
On top of this, a flat sapphire crystal is hand-enamelled in three stages. First, the continents are painted on the underside of the crystal in reverse, a painstaking task that requires extreme precision. After firing, clouds and sky details are added to the front, adding depth and realism. Finally, tiny dots of phosphorescent enamel represent city lights, glowing beautifully in the dark. The result is a dial that feels alive and dynamic, capturing the magic of the Earth at night.
Personalisation and World-Time Functionality
Limited to just 50 pieces, the Marine Hora Mundi 5555 allows collectors to personalise their watch by highlighting their chosen cities among the 24-hour time zones. This subtle touch adds a personal connection for the wearer while maintaining the elegance of the dial. Applied Roman numerals, 18K Breguet gold hands, a day-night indicator, and a date wheel at 12 o'clock complement the artistic dial without distracting from it. The day-night indicator, using a miniature gold sun, elegantly traces the movement of the sun across the globe.
Inside the Case: Calibre 77F1
The watch is powered by Breguet's in-house automatic movement, Calibre 77F1, which features a 55-hour power reserve and beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour. The movement integrates dual preset time zones with instant-jumping mechanisms, a synchronised date function, and a day-night indicator. Despite its complexity, the movement is only 6.13mm thick and maintains a refined, understated appearance when viewed through the anti-reflective sapphire case back.
Decorative touches abound, including an 18K gold oscillating weight shaped like a ship's helm, côtes de Genève finishing, and hand-bevelled edges. This level of detail is characteristic of Breguet's dedication to craftsmanship and demonstrates that even a technical complication can be aesthetically breathtaking.
Case, Strap, and Wearability
The Marine Hora Mundi 5555 comes in an 18K Breguet gold case measuring 43.9mm in diameter and 13.8mm in thickness. It is water-resistant to 100 meters, providing durability alongside elegance. The watch is presented on a navy blue alligator leather strap, lined with finer leather and finished with an 18K gold three-blade folding clasp. For a more casual or sporty look, Breguet also supplies a rubber strap, adding versatility to this luxurious timepiece.
The Limited Edition Appeal
Being limited to just 50 pieces, each Marine Hora Mundi 5555 is individually numbered, adding exclusivity and collector appeal. The combination of dual-layered enamel, guilloché detailing, and meticulous movement finishing makes this watch a standout example of what Breguet has accomplished over its 250-year history. It is both a technical marvel and a work of art, capturing the spirit of exploration and horological excellence in one extraordinary package.Price: £89,200 / A$160,200
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Final Thoughts
The Marine Hora Mundi 5555 is more than a limited edition watch. It represents a seamless marriage of technical prowess and artistic expression. From the glowing city lights on the enamelled dial to the understated complexity of the Calibre 77F1 movement, every element showcases Breguet's unparalleled expertise. For collectors who appreciate world-time complications, refined finishing, and a meaningful nod to horological history, this watch is a celebration of both craft and legacy.
