The Breguet Classique line is known for its clean, minimalist design that boasts strong craftsmanship, both technical and artistic. It is a line that faithfully follows the design tenets its founder Abraham-Louis Breguet propagated, including giving the dials a distinct look while keeping readability strong. Since 2003, the watches in this line have followed this idea, now taken forward by the 2022 introductions – the Breguet Classique Calendar 7337 and Breguet Classique Dame 8068
Breguet Classique Calendar 7337
The Classique line is one of Breguet’s most recognisable dress watches, and the 39mm Breguet Classique Calendar 7337 continues this aesthetic. Set in 18K white gold or rose gold case, the dial of the watch is off-centre, a signature of the line. While it features a Clous de Paris hobnail guilloché pattern hand-engraved on a rose engine, the outer dial has been engraved with a circular barleycorn motif. On the dial are several concentric circles, one of which houses the small seconds at 5 o’clock. The Breguet hour and minute hands are blued steel, as is the small seconds hand.
On either side of the off-centre dial rest windows indicating the day (left) and date (right). The design of the windows is bigger and more angular than the 2020 iteration of the model for enhanced readability, an aspect that gets further help with the white-on-blue indications. Another example of craftsmanship on the dial is the moonphase, which rests in a semi-circle at 12 o’clock. The gold moon is hand-hammered and the clouds surrounding have been created by fine sandblasting. The sky is blue lacquer and set with spangles that glitter based on how the light falls on them. Around this is set an indication of 1-29.5, highlighting the day-wise waning and waxing of the moon. The caseband is fluted, with welded lugs with screwed spring bars. A midnight blue alligator leather strap flanks the white gold version, while a brown alligator leather strap has been paired with the rose gold model.
Powering the watch is the Calibre 502, one of Breguet’s thinnest movements that's just 2.4 mm thickness. The (also) off-centre white gold oscillating weight (hand-engraved on a rose engine with a circular barleycorn pattern) provides optimal space for the main movement elements and sits within a minimum thickness. The frequency of the watch is 3Hz. The movement, which features a silicon balance-spring, can be viewed through the sapphire caseback – its different parts have been finished with chamfered finishes and a Côtes de Genève motif. The watch has a water resistance of 30 metres and a power reserve of 45 hours.
Breguet Classique Dame 8068
For women, the Breguet Classique Dame 8068 offers a range of style customisations. For the first time ever, the brand is offering three interchangeable straps in the same boxed set for a watch. The 30mm Breguet Classique Dame 8068, either in white gold or red gold and with black satin fabric, can be paired with teal blue and Byzantium purple for the white gold version, and peacock blue and raspberry pink for the rose gold version. The strap-changing mechanism is quick and easy – all one needs to do is press the pusher under the strap.
Breguet Classique Dame 8068 in red gold and with black satin fabric straps
Breguet Classique Dame 8068 in red gold and with raspberry pink straps
Breguet Classique Dame 8068 in red gold and with peacock blue straps
Breguet Classique Dame 8068 in white gold and with black satin straps
Breguet Classique Dame 8068 in white gold and with teal blue straps
The watch in itself also features design updates. The bezel and lugs are studded with 64 brilliant-cut diamonds, and the crown, initially set with a blue sapphire, now has a cabochon-cut diamond. The dial is mother-of-pearl, with the centre adorned with a guilloché pattern. On this centre, at 12 o'clock rests an oval cartouche bearing the brand logo.
Beating inside the watch is the Calibre 537/3, with a platinum oscillating weight featuring a circular barleycorn pattern. The movement has a frequency of 3.5 Hz, and a power reserve of 45 hours. Much like the Breguet Classique Calendar 7337, the Breguet Classique Dame 8068 is also equipped with a silicon balance spring. The case is water-resistant to 30 metres.
Images: Courtesy Breguet
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