The Marine collection has its origins in one of the most emblematic chapters in Breguet's history. From the end of the eighteenth century, Abraham - Louis Breguet designed his timepieces as true scientific instruments, where their precision, reliability and legibility met the demands of the time. A quest for excellence found major recognition in 1815; a year after his admission to the Bureau des Longitudes in 1814, Louis XVIII appointed him Watchmaker to the French Royal Navy. His chronometers subsequently accompanied navigators and explorers on some of the greatest expeditions of the time. N°3502 accompanied Louis Le Goarant de Tromelin on his explorations of the Pacific, while N°3588 travelled with Hyacinthe de Bougainville on his voyage around the world between 1824 and 1826. In 1840, a Breguet instrument also reached Antarctica alongside Jules Dumont d’Urville. These are just a few of the many examples illustrating the role played by Breguet instruments in the history of great maritime exploration.
Rooted in this history, the Marine collection now translates the spirit of adventure and conquest into a contemporary vision, where performance, robustness and aesthetics draw their codes from the world of navigation.
Marine 5517
The most refined expression of the collection, the Marine 5517 focuses on the essentials with a three - hand display . On these new versions, the date is set at 6 o'clock, reinforcing the balance and symmetry of the dial.
The dial is adorned with delicate hand - guilloché work in the “Quai de l’Horloge ” pattern . Unveiled to mark the Maison’s 250th anniversary, this motif takes its name from the emblematic address on the Île de la Cité where Abraham - Louis Breguet established his workshop and where his marine chronometers were notably produced. Its design draws inspiration from the contours of the Île de la Cité and Île Saint - Louis, while also evoking the movement of waves – a dual reference that naturally finds its place at the heart of the Marine collection.
This artisanal work is executed on a gold base, treated to create different shades. A layer of lacquer is then applied to bring depth and intensity to the dial. Several hues are available depending on the model: ice blue for the white gold version, black for the pink gold version and a subtle shade of blue for the titanium version. At 12 o'clock, the gold Breguet appliqué marks each of the three interpretations.
Similar to the first marine chronometer, the Marine 5517 features Breguet numerals and the Maison’s emblematic “apple” hands, immediately anchoring the timepiece in Breguet’s signature codes, while other details further assert its maritime character.
The tip of the seconds hand forms a "B", in reference to the "Bravo" maritime flag, while the crown guard evokes the movement of the waves.
On the back, the gold oscillating weight is inspired by the lines of a rudder. Visible through the sapphire crystal caseback, it combines several meticulously executed finishing techniques and extends the nautical aesthetic into the movement.
Each version is available on a rubber strap, whose decoration echoes the "Quai de l'Horloge " guilloché on the dial, or on a metal bracelet.
