Breguet Classique 5907 Luxury Watch Review

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The name Breguet is a hallowed one in the history of high horology. Abraham Louis Breguet is the watchmaker who "did it all," so to speak, and fans of luxury watches continue to reap the benefit to this day. The Breguet Classique 5907 captures the classical style of A.L. Breguet's signature pocket watches, but the Classique does so in a modern dress wristwatch format.

This Breguet Classique embodies all of the design signatures of the great man's masterpieces. An 18-karat yellow gold dial is engraved by a guillocheur on a hand-guided lathe before being silvered for final detailing. The process is far more labor-intensive than simple CNC machine cuts, but the result offers a warmth and appeal that no machine can replicate. Contrasting engraved patterns add texture, visual interest, and beguiling complexity.

Heat-blued "Breguet"-style hands are fired in a kiln until they glow in a rich cobalt hue, and their elegant spans nicely complement the light silver tone of the underlying dial. Full Roman numerals and the traditional "Breguet Number" complete the picture of 18th century elegance. At six o'clock, a vintage style small seconds dial is a nod to Breguet history.

On its flanks, the Breguet Classique 5907 continues in faithful service to the precedent of the Master. Coined case notches are cold-rolled into the 18-karat white gold and finished by hand. Like the guilloche of the dial, this isn't the easy or the cheap way to finish a case, but it is the Breguet way. Big "A.L." would approve. Robust soldered lugs reinforce the impression of substance and craft quality.

Inside the exquisite gold case, a Breguet caliber 511DR faithfully keeps time. The manual movement with 96-hour power reserve is based on one of the top high horology movements in the industry: Frederic Piguet's 1150. Produced for Breguet by F. Pigyet, the movement is converted from automatic winding to a more aesthetically pleasing manual format. The benefit is the unobstructed view of the gorgeous movement through the sapphire case back; an automatic movement is invisible behind the bulk of its rotor and winding bridge.

Moreover, this movement is upgraded through the inclusion of a hidden power reserve gauge installed in the case back. Note that the original Breguet Classique 5907 employed a caliber 510DR movement with a 72-hour power reserve; this is the newer and more finely-finished 96-hour cal. 511DR.

This Breguet Classique 5907 in 18-karat white gold is available from thewatchbox.com in outstanding condition with all original Breguet factory accessories. The original burl walnut inner presentation box is a standout among luxury watch box sets and a highlight of this Breguet package. See it in high resolution images on our website:
https://www.the1916company.com/watche...

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Video and content by Tim Mosso.