Breguet reimagines a 200-year-old pocket watch for modern wearers

Letting history dictate a modern aesthetic is nothing new in the realm of luxury watches. It is however worthy of a closer look when it involves the design of two distinguished pocket watches that date back around 200 years.

Breguet is the latest Swiss watchmaker to take on that challenge, with the unveiling of the Classique model in two striking references featuring this year’s trending blue dial. But before we get into the timepieces, a quick walk down memory lane.

A watchmaker 245 years in the making

Breguet was founded by Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1775. It all began when the young Swiss entrepreneur left his home in Neuchâtel as a teenager and embarked on a journey to Versailles and Paris to enlist in a watchmaking apprenticeship. Shortly after, he would open his very first workshop in the city before being introduced to the French Court by Abbot Joseph-François Marie who took the young Breguet under his wing. The French aristocracy would soon become the watchmaker’s earliest clientele.

Over the decades Breguet would successfully navigate through numerous challenges, from the French Revolution in 1789, to the banning of its products in Russia in the early 1800s as retaliation against Napoleon’s invasion.

By 1824, Breguet’s son Antoine-Louis would eventually take over the business. It was Louis who breathed a new dynamism into Breguet, believing that watchmaking should be spread through all social classes and not just for royalty. Having been immersed in watchmaking in his earliest childhood alongside his father’s reputation to uphold, Antoine-Louis would see to it that Breguet would diversify its activities, particularly in physics instruments.

After numerous changes of hands over two centuries, Breguet today is part of the Swatch Group and is overseen by Marc A. Hayek who continues to showcase the house’s rich tradition for prestige and excellence in Swiss watchmaking.

The Breguet Classique collection covers two of the latest timepieces that celebrate this iconic history in fine watchmaking for the present.

Breguet Classique 7137

Breguet’s Classique reference 7137 mimics the unmistakable design of the Maison’s No. 5 historic pocket watch. In its latest guise, it features an 18k white gold case complete with an extra-thin, self-winding movement, along with functions for hours, minutes, date, moon phase, age of the moon and power reserve. The dial on the white gold model is blue and the caseback is sapphire to ensure ample viewing of the movement. This particular model is also available in rose gold and yellow gold variants with different coloured dials.

Specifications

Case: 39mm
Material: 18k white gold (also available in rose gold and yellow gold)
Movement: Self-winding calibre 502.3 DR1
Functions: Hours, minutes, date, moon phase and age of the moon
Dial: Blue
Power reserve: 46 hours
Strap: Deep blue leather
Water resistance: 30m

Breguet Classique 7337

The Classique wristwatch is Breguet’s homage to the No. 3833 pocket watch. The blue dial version features a 39mm 18k white gold case, which houses the Maison’s self-winding, extra-thin 502.3 DR1 movement. This calibre affords functions including hours, minutes, seconds, day of the week, date, moon phase and age of the moon for a stunning display on a finely crafted dial. The caseback is also sapphire to ensure ample viewing of the watch’s innerworkings.

Specifications

Case: 39mm
Material: 18k white gold (also available in rose gold and yellow gold)
Movement: Self-winding calibre 502.3 DR1
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, day of the week, date, moon phase and age of the moon
Dial: Blue
Power reserve: 46 hours
Strap: Deep blue leather
Water resistance: 30m

For more details visit Breguet