The Breguet Classique 5177 and Classique 7787 embody the exquisite artistry and technical prowess of one of watchmaking’s oldest names, blending the luxury of platinum with the intricate art of “Grand Feu” enamel. Here’s a closer look at each model:
Breguet Classique 5177: The Essence of Timeless Elegance
The Classique 5177 takes Abraham-Louis Breguet’s minimalist vision and infuses it with a modern edge. This 38mm timepiece, crafted in platinum, is both refined and sophisticated.
Case and Design
- Made from platinum 950, the case is 38mm in diameter and 8.8mm thick. Its fluted case band, a hallmark of Breguet’s design, provides a distinctive textural detail that complements the watch’s understated elegance.
- The case features a knurled crown stamped with the iconic “B” initial, along with welded lugs for a timeless, robust structure.
Dial
- The dial is an intense black “Grand Feu” enamel, an ancient technique that gives it an unrivaled depth and lustrous quality. Enamel powder mixed with various minerals is applied to the dial base and fired at high temperatures to create a durable, shining finish.
- The minimalist design incorporates Breguet’s signature Arabic numerals, meticulously powdered in silver, adding a subtle but striking contrast to the black enamel.
- Rhodium-plated Breguet “moon” tip hands for the hours, minutes, and seconds add an additional layer of elegance, maintaining readability while exuding sophistication.
- A date window appears at 3 o’clock, designed in a tone-on-tone finish to harmonize with the rest of the dial.
Movement
- Powered by the self-winding calibre 777 Q, the watch vibrates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, assuring reliable timekeeping. The movement features a silicon balance spring, resistant to wear and magnetism, enhancing both durability and precision.
- The rhodium-plated 18-carat gold oscillating weight is adorned with a “starry mosaic” guilloché motif and inscribed with “BREGUET EDITION SPECIALE,” viewable through a sapphire caseback.
- With a power reserve of up to 55 hours, this calibre underscores Breguet’s commitment to precision and reliability.
Strap and Variations
- The watch is paired with a sleek black alligator leather strap that complements the enamel dial, fastening with a platinum pin buckle. Alternative variations include models in white or rose gold with enamel or guilloché dials, offering a diversity of elegant options.
Breguet Classique 7787: A Romantic Lunar Display
For those captivated by the poetry of the night sky, the Classique 7787 offers both aesthetic allure and functional innovation with its realistic moon-phase display. This 39mm piece is encased in platinum, standing slightly larger and thicker (10.3mm) than the 5177.
Case and Design
- Like its counterpart, the Classique 7787 case is forged in platinum 950, with the same elegant fluting on the case band. The 2-position crown is marked with Breguet’s initial, and a discreet pusher at 9 o’clock allows easy adjustment of the moon-phase display.
- With its welded lugs and sapphire crystal caseback, the 7787 embodies durability and style.
Dial
- The black “Grand Feu” enamel dial is adorned with Breguet’s Arabic numerals, silver-powdered and set against the deep, glossy black enamel.
- Its hands, also rhodium-plated with a “moon” tip, grace the center for hours, minutes, and seconds. The moon-phase display at 12 o’clock is a romantic, imaginative detail, featuring a hammered gold moon on a lacquered blue sky dotted with polished stars.
- A power reserve indicator at 5:30 elegantly balances the moon-phase at the top of the dial, providing functional information without disrupting the visual harmony.
Movement
- Inside the 7787 beats the automatic calibre 591 DRL, consisting of 221 components and designed to deliver the precision that Breguet is renowned for. Operating at a frequency of 4 Hz, this movement includes a silicon balance spring, which is both durable and magnetism-resistant.
- Its moon-phase complication boasts a realistic lunar cycle of 29.5303498 days, achieved through the addition of a specialized pinion. This level of accuracy means that the deviation is limited to one day every 348.7 years.
- The 22-carat gold oscillating weight is meticulously engraved with a “barley grain” guilloché pattern, adding to the watch’s visual and mechanical appeal.
Strap and Variations
- A black alligator leather strap with a platinum triple-blade folding clasp completes the piece, highlighting the luxury of platinum and enamel. Additional versions in white or rose gold with enamel dials offer further variety.
Both models are tributes to Breguet’s legacy, celebrating the refinement and intricacy of platinum and “Grand Feu” enamel. With every element thoughtfully designed and crafted, the Classique 5177 and Classique 7787 are masterful expressions of timeless elegance and innovation.
