Baselworld 2012:   Finally some 2012 Breguet!  Couple ni ce ones first here’s the Breguet Classique Chronométrie Ref 7727, a nice mix of classic breguet design and cutting edge high-beat movement technology.   Lot to say on this watch but first notice the “10hz” dial notation — you may recall this high-beat movement innovation appearing in the 2010 Breguet Type XXII Ref 3880.   The Ref 3880 ST with a frequency of 10 Hz was the resulting of Breguet’s research into high frequencies aimed at a closer and more stable measurement of time. It was the first series-produced watch with a movement of 10 Hz.  At the same time, the brand introduced the world’s first magnetic governor for the strike in the Breguet Réveil Musical (both Ref 3880 and Reveil Musical are nicely profiled in the new Breguet iPad app). With this alarm watch it demonstrated that instead of trying to counter the effects of magnetism, the phenomenon could be harnessed to improve the operation of watch movements.   Though to me the “10hz” symbol seems almost incongruous with the very classical Breguet dial design, in a weird fusion sort of way, I like it.  More on this watch below, but first a look:

Breguet Classique Chronometrie (Ref. 7727)

41mm rose gold case (white gold also avail), welded lugs, Dial: 18-carat silvered gold, engine-turned by hand in six different patterns, power-reserve indicator at 5 o’clock, small seconds at 12 o’clock, silicon hand indicating tenths of a second at 1 o’clock, Movement: Cal. 574 DR, hand-wounded numbered and signed BREGUET. (60-hour power-reserve, in-line Swiss lever escapement in silicon, silicon balance-spring. 10 Hz frequency); fitted on Strap: Leather strap.

Now a few more thoughts/details on this watch.  In the matter of styling, you see the hours and minutes are off -centre on the dial, while the small seconds at 12 o’clock recall the first eccentric dial produced by Breguet 200 years ago.  Curiously, “a patented silicon hand” indicates the tenths of a second at 1 o’clock.  The pare-chute shock absorber is also visible at 2 o’clock, another Abraham-Louis Breguet invention (1790).  Finally,the power reserve indicator is clear 5 o’clock. As is the Breguet tradition, the dial reflects masterful use of engine-turned patterns — 6 different patterns to be exact:  “Geneva waves” in the center main dial, a “clou de Paris hobnailing” design adorns the small seconds dial, the tenths -of-a-second counter displays a “sunburst” pattern, the power-reserve indicator is decorated in “chevrons”, the chapter ring for the hours has an “edging” decoration and the outside edge is in a “barleycorn” pattern.  The use of these patterns to visually distinguish different “sub sections” on the dial of a watch and as well to add to its beauty is something that Breguet does better than any other.

This watch is fitted with a calibre 574 DR hand-wound movement with a Breguet magnetic balance oscillating at 10 Hz on a silicon spring, and an in-line Swiss lever escapement in silicon.  A stop-seconds feature allows the watch to be set to a time signal. The rose gold case, water resistant to 3 bar (30 m), has a sapphire-crystal caseback displaying the movement.

Note also:  the fluting on the caseband, the polished steel Breguet hands, the welded lugs, the unique number as well as the secret signature.   The reference 7727 also comes in a white-gold case with a leather strap.