Breguet is a Swiss luxury watch brand that is counted among the world's top five watch brands. It is an indispensable brand when talking about luxury watches, inheriting the philosophy of Abraham-Louis Breguet, a genius watchmaker who is said to have accelerated the history of watches by 200 years. The brand's beautiful designs and overwhelming watchmaking technology made it beloved by European aristocrats, especially those in France, and the name became widely known. Even today, the brand's unique processing and decoration, which sets it apart from other brands, make it a perennial favorite among watch enthusiasts.
This article is aimed at those who want to buy a Breguet but don't know how to choose one, so if you're thinking, "I want a Breguet watch," or "It's an expensive purchase so I don't want to make a mistake," be sure to read this article.
Breguet Classification
*Source: https://www.breguet.com/en/history/breguet-museums
Breguet is roughly divided into two types: "sports models" and "dress models." In recent years , it is the "sports models" that have been driving the price hike, but since the company was founded, it has mainly dealt in "dress models," and there are many people who prefer them. First, let's take a look at what types of models are available for each type.
Sports Model
*Source: https://www.rolex.com/ja/world-of-rolex/motor-sports.html
Breguet is a long-established brand founded in 1775 , but at the time pocket watches were the norm, not wristwatches, and the main customers were European aristocrats, mainly from France. It is also known that Breguet was loved by famous historical figures such as Marie Antoinette, Napoleon Bonaparte, the Queen of Naples, and King George IV of England. Due to this background, the brand's models are mainly "dress models", but in recent years, sports models such as the "Marine" and "Type XXI" series have been created with the younger generation in mind, and are attracting attention.
Dress model
*Source: https://www.rolex.com/ja/world-of-rolex/the-arts.html
"Dress models", also known as "classic models", refer to watches with a simple design suitable for suits and formal occasions. Two- or three-hand models are common, but Breguet also has watches with special shapes and mechanisms. Having made watches for aristocrats for many years, the company has a rich lineup of "dress models".
Choose from asset value
First, we will introduce recommended models for those who would like to consider resale value when buying the same luxury watch.
The Marine is a sports model packed with Breguet design.
*Source: https://askme.watch/en/watch-breguet-marine-5817-5817st-12-5v8
The Marine collection was launched in 1990. While many of the designs are classical and elegant, the Marine, with its rugged and large impression, became a hot topic as a Breguet watch that stood out from the rest. Although it has a sporty design, it uses designs unique to the brand, such as guilloche engraving and coin edges, making it a model that combines tradition and innovation. It boasts a high resale value, but compared to the premium prices of the Nautilus and Royal Oak, it is also very attractive for its low price.
Choose from usage scenarios
Next, we will introduce recommended models for those who want to purchase a phone for business or personal use.
"Classic" is perfect for formal occasions
*Source: https://www.pinterest.jp/pin/290482244709437360/
The Classique is one of Breguet's most representative collections. It is made with an abundance of designs created by Abraham-Louis Breguet, such as Breguet hands, Breguet numerals, guilloche engraving, and coin edges, highlighting the design and technical skill of the watch. This is a recommended watch for those who want to enjoy the beauty of a watch created by a genius watchmaker, as well as those looking for a watch that is perfect for formal occasions.
"Type XXI" is perfect for casual style
*Source: https://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Breguet/Type%20XXI/3810ST/92/9ZU/41029/item/145198
The Type XX was created in 1955 as a watch for the naval aviation unit, after being commissioned to manufacture it by the French military. The second generation was born in the 1970s, and the third generation in 1995. The successor, the Type XXI, was born in 2004, and while it has the rugged and sturdy appearance of a military watch, it also inherits the Breguet design, such as the elegant coin edge and screw-type lugs. The collection includes the Aeronaval and Transatlantic, but the difference is whether or not they have a date. (Aeronaval: no date, Transatlantic: date). We recommend that you choose according to your preference.
Choose based on brand strengths
Here we will introduce models that particularly highlight the long history of this long-established brand and the technical expertise and beautiful designs that it has cultivated through that.
"Tradition" highlights the beauty of its movement
*Source: https://www.authenticwatches.com/breguet-7027-bb-g99v6.html
The Tradition watch is equipped with the shock absorbing device "Parachute" developed by Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1794 , and the "variable inertia balance" that keeps accurate time. It features two mechanisms that were installed in the movements of pocket watches, which were mainstream at the time, reproduced for wristwatches. Another attractive feature is that the dial is small and off-centered, allowing you to view the movement from both the front and back. You can enjoy the beautiful movement, which was handcrafted by artisans, from different angles.
Unique design "Heritage"
*Source: https://www.timeandwatches.com/2016/07/breguet-heritage-grande-date-5410.html
The Heritage was born in the early 20th century and features a barrel-shaped case . It is not just a barrel-shaped case, but is also curved in the depth direction, giving it a raised shape. Its shape conforms to the wrist, providing an excellent wearing comfort. Of course, it also retains the Breguet-exclusive design features such as Breguet hands and guilloche engraving, but it is popular for its case shape, which is different from the traditional round type.
5 Recommended Breguet Watches
From here on, taking into account the above, we will introduce five recommended Breguet watches.
① "Marine" "Ref.5817ST"
The Marine Ref. 5817ST was sadly discontinued in 2018.
This watch incorporates the brand's signature coin edge, guilloche engraving reminiscent of ocean waves, and Breguet hands, making it an attractive piece that combines a classical and elegant atmosphere with a sporty design. The large date display at the 6 o'clock position is also highly visible, making it one of the most popular features. The current model's design has been significantly revamped, clearly dividing preferences, and many people still seek this watch even though it has been discontinued.
② "Marine" "Ref.5517TI"
The current model of the Marine, Ref. 5517TI, was released around 2019 .
The case is made of titanium, which is lighter than stainless steel and less likely to cause metal allergies, and the appearance has changed significantly from the previous model, with a design closer to a "dress model." The distinctive design, such as the coin edge and crown guard, remains the same, but the font of the index has been changed, giving the watch a somewhat casual look.
3. Classic: Ref. 7147BB
The "Classic" Ref. 7147BB pursues the simplicity that is characteristic of dress models.
The small seconds are positioned slightly off-center at 5-6 o'clock, and traditional design elements such as Breguet hands and coin edges are adopted, while the movement "Cal. 502.3SD" uses cutting-edge silicon for the anchor and hairspring, making this a stunning model that combines tradition and innovation.
④ "Type XXI" "Ref.3800ST"
The Type XXI "Ref. 3800ST" is a pilot watch manufactured in the 1950s for the French Navy Air Force, which was reproduced in 1995 .
In addition to the chronograph function, it also has a flyback function that instantly restarts measurement by pressing the reset button. The design faithfully reproduces the pilot watches of the time, such as the matte finish dial and dome-shaped crystal, and the leather strap gives it an elegant feel despite being a pilot watch.
⑤ "Tradition" "Ref.7097BR"
The "Ref. 7097BR" is the first Tradition watch to feature an automatic movement.
When Abraham-Louis Breguet was making watches, the system of "subscription" was created in which a portion of the price was paid in advance when a watch was ordered. "Tradition" was developed based on the idea of a pocket watch that was sold under this subscription system. The most attractive feature of this model is that you can enjoy the movement of the intricately designed movement. In addition, the retrograde function at the 10 o'clock position allows you to see the flyback movement of the second hand, allowing you to enjoy both the beauty and high technical skill of Breguet's watchmaking.
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What did you think.
Breguet is extremely popular among many watch enthusiasts. The features and designs vary greatly depending on the model, so try to find the one that suits you best from various perspectives such as asset value, usage scenarios, and brand strengths.
If you have any questions about this model, please feel free to contact us.