Breguet’s newly updated Classique 7137 and 7337 watches are fine examples of how to add a subtle contemporary touch to some very traditional watch design while sticking with time-honoured production methods. Colour is a big part of it; alongside a more traditional rose gold case with silvered gold dial, both are now in offered in a suave combination of white gold case with ‘Breguet blue’ dial.
As they would have been 200 years ago, the new releases are decorated with a hand-operated lathes, but the use of a hatched checkboard pattern for the subdials stands out with an industrial-chic lilt, especially next to the brushed surfaces of the chapter rings and other accents; the contrast between this and a more classical guilloche-style circular pattern is striking. The moonphase indicators have also been updated, featuring embossed moons that have eschewed the traditional face design.
Other Breguet signatures remain, such as Roman numerals, Breguet-style hands and fluted casebands, as well as the layouts which are inspired by pocket watches dating back to the 18th century. The 7337 features an offset time indicator with small seconds, flanked by date and day and topped by a moonphase. The 7137 has on its dial indicators for date, power reserve, and moonphase. Both are 39mm in diameter and are remarkably slim at 9.9mm and 8.7mm, respectively, thanks to the ultra-thin automatic 502.3 calibres within. These are equipped with silicon balance springs, and feature open barrels and offset rotors to reduce thickness.
