Breguet has been a leading name in the watch industry since it was founded in 1775. The past decade saw the Swiss haute watchmaker clock up more than 100 patents. Last year, it launched the Type XXII watch, the first mass-produced mechanical chronograph with an escapement and a 10Hz frequency. The Reveil Musical, also released last year, used the innovative material 'Liquidmetal' for its membrane.
This year has seen Breguet pushing the envelope again with the BaselWorld novelty Classique 5717 Hora Mundi, which is guaranteed to be a favourite for those travelling frequently for work or people who love exploring the world. It is the first mechanical watch boasting an instant time zone display and a memory with synchronised date, day and night and city indications. The function makes travelling easier as the wearer can view the time in two preselected zones. With one press of the crown at 8 o'clock, the watch changes instantly from one time zone to the next.
A new addition to Breguet's prestigious Classique collection, that took three years to complete, is the 44mm diameter Classique 5717 Hora Mundi. It is in 18kt rose gold or 950 platinum and comes with the 5717 self-winding mechanical movement. The translucent lacquered dial comes with three versions, representing Asia and Oceania, Europe and Africa, or North and South America. It is water resistant up to 30 metres.
Another new member of the Classique family is the Classique 7787 Astronomical Moon Phases watch. Available in two sizes - 39mm or 36mm diameter - it can embellish the wrist of a style-conscious man or woman. The dial is hand engraved on a rose engine in 18kt rose or white gold. The timepiece features central hour, minute and second hands and two complications - a power-reserve indicator at 3 o'clock and a moon phase at 12. The watch's self-winding mechanical movement, the Breguet Calibre 591 DRL, is just 3.02mm thick.
Women who prefer smart casual watches can't go wrong with the Marine 8827 Ladies' Chronograph, which was previously available only in a diamond-set version.
At 34.60mm in diameter and available in 18kt rose or white gold, it boasts the Breguet Calibre 8827, the smallest self-winding chronograph movement in the world. Water resistant up to 50 metres, the timepiece features a mother-of-pearl dial with hand engraving on a rose engine and a white rubber strap.