The Wonderful Breguet Classique 7787 Moonphase

Dress watches are sometimes slim, elegant, and minimalistic, designed to enrich formal apparel seamlessly. Whereas their refined particulars and artistry are something however boring, they’re seldom described as playful. Now, the platinum Breguet Classique 7787 with its black Grand Feu enamel dial—a chunk that’s, say, completely different. Alongside its traditional magnificence, it exudes a stunning sense of enjoyable and playfulness, even in an ideal black-tie-ready design. Maybe it’s a mirrored image of the temper when first encountering this timepiece. But, revisiting this model of Classique 7787 on a unique day doesn’t diminish its considerably lighthearted attraction. Take a more in-depth look—does it make you smile?

Our rendition of the Breguet Classique 7787 in platinum (reference 7787PT/2N/9VU) marks the third instalment on this elegant sequence, introduced earlier this year alongside the Classique 5177. It follows the white and rose gold variants, each of which debuted with white enamel dials. These, in flip, succeeded the unique 39mm fashions with silvered guilloché dials in rose and white gold, unveiled in 2011 (see under).

The 7787 sequence showcases the quintessential Breguet Classique design. The case measures 39mm in diameter and 10.3mm thick, that includes a skinny bezel and straight soldered lugs with a slight curve. Whereas the lug design might prioritize aesthetics over ergonomics, it reinforces the hallmark of the Classique assortment’s fashion. Key options of the polished platinum case embody the signature fluted center part, a sapphire crystal on each the back and front, a fluted crown, and the lugs utilizing screw pins to safe the strap. It’s waterproof to 30 meters and incorporates a recessed corrector-pusher reverse the crown for moon section adjustment.

The dial is the place the attraction and playfulness come to life. Its format – like a number of different notable Breguet fashions – attracts free inspiration from Breguet’s well-known No. 5 pocket watch, a masterpiece of asymmetrical but completely balanced design created round 1793. Based on Breguet’s archives, the No. 5 was offered to Rely Journiac Saint-Méard in 1794—a time steeped in each turmoil and transformation. This was the period of the French First Republic, the Revolutionary Wars, and the Reign of Terror when the guillotine was used all too continuously. But, it was additionally when the Louvre opened its doorways as a public artwork museum. Mentioning these occasions serves as an invite to look tales of how nice watchmakers of the interval – Ferdinand Berthoud, Pierre Jaquet-Droz, Jean-Antoine Lépine, and particularly Abraham-Louis Breguet – navigated the challenges of revolutionary occasions. A quick exploration is effectively price your time—belief me. However I digress.

Take a more in-depth take a look at the minute monitor encircling the dial—a playful element filled with character. Three distinct kinds of markers outline the monitor: rhomboids at 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes; quirky symbols resembling pictograms or retro-infantile online game icons at different 5-minute intervals; and tiny six-pointed stars for the remaining minutes. This eclectic combine injects a way of enjoyable, splendidly undercutting the “gravity” of the platinum case.

Subsequent are the silver-powdered Breguet numerals. Sure, they’re undeniably traditional, however to me, they carry whimsical vitality—like they’re simply ready for the correct tune to launch into a cool dance, courtesy of some Disney-esque magic. Then there’s the facility reserve indicator with its arrows pointing away from the arched scale—a curious element that feels pleasant enjoyable. And it’s a must to love the lengthy needle-shaped hand that factors out what number of hours you’ve left earlier than the watch wants your winding consideration.

Including to the attraction are the Breguet rhodium-plated palms with spherical open suggestions and the moon phase display completed with a hammered white gold moon on a blue lacquered disc surrounded by white gold stars. This spectacle, set towards the deep black enamel dial, evokes a mysterious attract as if your entire present unfolds within the pitch of the evening. It’s a composition as fascinating as it’s imaginative, and it solely occurs with this black Grand Feu enamel model, whereas the white dial does probably not “carry out” the identical manner.

Powering this and different 39mm Breguet Classique 7787 Moonphase variants because the introduction of the sequence is an automated in-house motion, calibre 591 DRL with a central rotor in valuable steel embellished with a guilloché sample. The clear caseback additionally reveals motion decorations akin to Geneva stripes, golden engravings and polished bevels on the bridges. Calibre 591 DRL makes use of silicon escapement and hairspring, operates at 28,800 vibrations/hour and has an influence reserve of 38 hours.

Our Breguet Classique 7787 Moonphase, or Section de Lune in French, is worn on a black alligator leather-based strap, closed with a platinum triple-folding clasp with Breguet’s “B” emblem, and the worth is CHF 43,800. For extra, please go to Breguet.com and see what garments the model suggests you pair this mannequin with. Spoiler – There’s no tuxedo within the photographs, however there’s denim. Funky!