Today, we bring you our hands-on review of the Breguet Classique Chronométrie ref. 7727BR/12/9WU. This particular watch was awarded the Grand Prix 'Aiguille d'Or' at the GPHG in 2014. Additionally, this is one of the few Breguets featuring the new 10Hz high frequency escapement composed of a magnetic balance with double balance spring, lever and escape wheel in silicon. The Breguet Classique Chronométrie ref. 7727 is a perfect example of Breguet's DNA in a timepiece that offers the basic time function with a 1/10th of a second subdial and power reserve indicator. Fitted with an 18K rose gold case —also available in 18K white gold—, the Classique Chronométrie ref. 7727 brings the best from this manufacture with six rose engine lathe hand guilloché motifs on its dial.
The Dial
The Breguet Classique Chronométrie ref. 7727 features a silvered gold dial with six different rose engine lathe hand engraved guilloché motifs. The dial layout is extremely elegant with a satin brushed hours chapter ring with Roman numerals, 60-hour power reserve indicator between 5 and 6 o'clock, running seconds subdial at 12 o'clock with a superimposed 1/10th of a second indicator at 1 and with the iconic Breguet shock-protection pare-chute visible at 2 o'clock. The six different stunning guilloché motifs are as follows: Clous de Paris for the lower part of the running seconds subdial, à grains d'orge —barleycorn— on the outer perimeter of the dial, Geneva waves on the center of the dial, sunray guilloché on the 1/10th of a second indicator and chevrons for the power-reserve indicator. Additionally, the satin brushed hours chapter ring is also cross-hatched. The hands are in polished blued steel with the traditional Breguet open-tipped hands. The dial includes the traditional secret signatures at 12 o'clock and a light gray 10Hz imprint right underneath the Breguet individual watch number. On a watch of this caliber, the imprint is one of those elements that should've been left out as it clashes against the classic lines and design of Breguet and ultimately disturbs the hard work that the guilloché engraver put into it.
The Case & Strap
The Breguet Classique Chronométrie ref. 7727 is fitted with a delicately finished case measuring 41 mm in diameter by 9.65 in thickness. As you can appreciate in the picture below, the watch is quite thin and delicately finished with the traditional fluting along the case band. Rounding out the elegant look of this timepiece, the Breguet Classique ref. 7727 is fitted with a supple brown alligator strap with the classic Breguet folding clasp. The watch is water resistant to 30 meters.
The Movement
The beating heart inside this timepiece is the new Breguet manual wound calibre 574DR. With a balance frequency of 10Hz the timekeeping performance of the balance and spring are unparalleled. Despite its high frequency, the Breguet Classique Chronométrie ref. 7727 provides a power reserve of 60 hours when fully wound. However, the major innovation of this Classique Chronométrie ref. 7727 is the use of magnetic pivots to control the negative effects of magnetism and to improve the pivoting, rotation and stability of the balance staff. Using two end stones with powerful micro-magnets the balance staff is kept centered. One of the magnets is stronger than the other creating a magnetic gradient. The magnetic flux, generated within the balance-staff induces a magnetic attraction that keeps the end of the pivot in contact with the end stone. Held in an artificial gravitational force, the balance staff is unaffected by the different positions of the watch and the conditions at each pivot remain unchanged. If a shock knocks the balance staff sideways, the system acts like a pare-chute to return it to its position, except that magnetic forces re-center the staff to regain maximum magnetic flux. The movement is fully visible via the display case back.
On the Wrist & Pricing
On the wrist, the watch wears true to its actual size and extremely elegantly. This is a watch that many would want to own but only a few will have the chance to own. A well deserved winner of the Grand Prix 'Aiguille d'Or' at the 2014 edition of the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève.
Sticker Price $40,000 USD 18K rose gold and $40,500 for 18K white gold. For more info on Breguet click here.
