The Nice Breguet Classique 7787 Moonphase

Costume watches are typically slim, elegant, and minimalistic, designed to counterpoint formal attire seamlessly. Whereas their refined particulars and artistry are one thing nonetheless boring, they’re seldom described as playful. Now, the platinum Breguet Classique 7787 with its black Grand Feu enamel dial—a bit that is, say, fully completely different. Alongside its conventional magnificence, it exudes a shocking sense of pleasant and playfulness, even in a super black-tie-ready design. Possibly it’s a reflection of the mood when first encountering this timepiece. However, revisiting this mannequin of Classique 7787 on a big day doesn’t diminish its significantly lighthearted attract. Take a greater 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 assortment, launched earlier this yr alongside the Classique 5177. It follows the white and rose gold variants, every of which debuted with white enamel dials. These, in flip, succeeded the distinctive 39mm fashions with silvered guilloché dials in rose and white gold, unveiled in 2011 (see underneath).

The 7787 assortment showcases the quintessential Breguet Classique design. The case measures 39mm in diameter and 10.3mm thick, that features a skinny bezel and straight soldered lugs with a slight curve. Whereas the lug design would possibly prioritize aesthetics over ergonomics, it reinforces the hallmark of the Classique assortment’s mannequin. Key choices of the polished platinum case embody the signature fluted middle half, a sapphire crystal on every the front and back, a fluted crown, and the lugs using screw pins to protected the strap. It is waterproof to 30 meters and incorporates a recessed corrector-pusher reverse the crown for moon part adjustment.

The dial is the place the attract and playfulness come to life. Its format – like only a few completely different notable Breguet fashions – attracts unfastened inspiration from Breguet’s well-known No. 5 pocket watch, a masterpiece of asymmetrical however fully balanced design created spherical 1793. Primarily based on Breguet’s archives, the No. 5 was supplied to Rely Journiac Saint-Méard in 1794—a time steeped in every turmoil and transformation. This was the interval of the French First Republic, the Revolutionary Wars, and the Reign of Terror when the guillotine was used all too often. However, it was moreover when the Louvre opened its doorways as a public art work museum. Mentioning these events serves as an invitation to go searching tales of how good watchmakers of the interval – Ferdinand Berthoud, Pierre Jaquet-Droz, Jean-Antoine Lépine, and significantly Abraham-Louis Breguet – navigated the challenges of revolutionary events. A brief exploration is correctly value your time—perception me. Nevertheless I digress.

Take a greater check out the minute observe encircling the dial—a playful aspect filled with character. Three distinct types of markers define the observe: rhomboids at 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes; quirky symbols resembling pictograms or retro-infantile on-line recreation icons at completely different 5-minute intervals; and tiny six-pointed stars for the remaining minutes. This eclectic mix injects a approach of pleasant, splendidly undercutting the “gravity” of the platinum case.

Subsequent are the silver-powdered Breguet numerals. Positive, they’re undeniably conventional, nonetheless to me, they carry whimsical vitality—like they’re merely prepared for the correct tune to launch right into a cool dance, courtesy of some Disney-esque magic. Then there’s the ability reserve indicator with its arrows pointing away from the arched scale—a curious aspect that feels nice pleasant. And it is necessary to like the prolonged needle-shaped hand that components out what variety of hours you have acquired left sooner than the watch desires your winding consideration.

Together with to the attract are the Breguet rhodium-plated palms with spherical open solutions and the moon part present accomplished with a hammered white gold moon on a blue lacquered disc surrounded by white gold stars. This spectacle, set in direction of the deep black enamel dial, evokes a mysterious entice as if the entire current unfolds inside the pitch of the evening time. It’s a composition as charming because it’s imaginative, and it solely happens with this black Grand Feu enamel mannequin, whereas the white dial does not going “perform” the an identical method.

Powering this and completely different 39mm Breguet Classique 7787 Moonphase variants given that introduction of the gathering is an computerized in-house movement, calibre 591 DRL with a central rotor in invaluable metal embellished with a guilloché pattern. The clear caseback moreover reveals movement 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 affect reserve of 38 hours.

Our Breguet Classique 7787 Moonphase, or Half 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 further, please go to Breguet.com and spot what clothes the mannequin suggests you pair this model with. Spoiler – There’s no tuxedo inside the footage, nonetheless there’s denim. Funky!