Few watches draw each the attention and the ear like a Breguet minute repeater, which is what the Classique 7637 is. It even eschews something like a second hand, which permits the highlight to fall on the fantastically low-key grand feu dial; stated dial even has quirky minute markers that appear like stars and another curious shapes (to see this you must be shut sufficient to see the key signature). We bought up shut and private with reference 7637 just a few occasions final yr, and shot it for the Festive difficulty (#71), so we had our honest shot at getting misplaced in its magnificence. This can be a minute repeater so listening to it’s the final check however first, we need to get by the varied visible treats so evident right here. On condition that it is a Breguet Classique, the anticipated fluting on the case center can also be current and we’re curious if this impacts the sound in any respect, though the impact might be minimal.
Flipping the Classique 7637 round, the manual-winding calibre567.2 shines forth with a typical Breguet aplomb. All bridges are lavishly and clearly hand-engraved, together with the signature three-finger bridges that one expects to see in repeater actions. Whereas the essential construction of the calibre right here shall be acquainted (and comforting to those that perceive the connection between Breguet and what was as soon as Nouvelle Lemania), Breguet does introduce some refinements, particularly within the type of gold gongs which might be mounted to the case center as a substitute of the calibre itself. It won’t shock you to study that the fabric and structure had been all chosen to optimise the sound Breguet was going for. However, all of it makes for a placing visible feast, no pun meant. Whereas some critics could assail the scale differential between the 42mm case and the calibre, this too might be defined as a part of Breguet’s efforts to regulate for its ultimate sound profile.
On that notice (pun meant), we lastly arrive on the one factor we can not actually inform you about. You must hear a placing watch to know easy methods to really feel about it, and that is no mere hour striker or alarm watch. Even with the varied recordings of the watch accessible, you need to nonetheless take heed to it your self; the motion shouldn’t be new so you may get an thought from the opposite watches that use calibre 567.2 (or simply the repeater base), if reference 7637 occurs to not be accessible to strive. Now, you’ll be able to truly get Breguet watches so do strive on the lookout for it. There may be additionally one thing to be stated concerning the worth proposition of this watch, relying on who you suppose the competitors is.
Motion: Handbook-winding calibre 567.2 with minute repeater; 40-hour energy reserve
Case: 42mm in rose gold and white gold; water-resistance NA
Strap: Alligator leather-based
Worth: SGD 399,400 (white gold)
This text first appeared on WOW’s Spring 2024 difficulty.
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