[2021 Edition] Mechanical Watches "8 Popular and Recommended Breguet Models"

The cherry blossoms have already fallen in Tokyo, but the weather is starting to feel like spring. I hope that the weather will soon be such that we can enjoy cherry blossom viewing without any worries, but please continue to take care of your health.

It's going to get especially hot from now on. When wearing a mask, your heart rate, breathing rate, blood carbon dioxide concentration, and perceived temperature increase, putting a strain on your body, and wearing a mask can make you feel less thirsty. Wearing a mask in a hot and humid environment increases the risk of heatstroke, so caution is required. Avoid the heat as much as possible and take frequent fluid intake to prevent heatstroke.

Well, in this column, I would like to focus on Breguet. I will be selecting eight models, including current models and models that we have handled in our store.

What is Breguet?

Breguet is a watch manufacturer founded in Paris, France in 1775 by Abraham-Louis Breguet, and is still a traditional watch brand that is counted among the world's five greatest watch brands, along with Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet, and A. Lange & Söhne.

Abraham-Louis Breguet, a genius watchmaker, invented many of the mechanisms found in modern luxury watches, such as the perpetual calendar, tourbillon, minute repeater, hairspring, and parachute shock-resistant mechanism, and had a major influence on other watchmakers. It is said that he invented or improved about 70% of the mechanisms found in modern watches, and he is also known as the Leonardo da Vinci of the watch industry.

Breguet is a brand that is very distinctive not only in its complicated mechanisms, but also in its designs, using a variety of motifs such as guilloche, clou de Paris (studded pattern), sunburst (straight lines arranged radially), checkered pattern (Damier), and flinqué (ripples arranged in a row). The Breguet hands (with holes and a design reminiscent of the moon at the tip), which are said to have been created when Breguet was founded, are also famous. Another characteristic of Breguet is the unique indexes called Breguet numerals. The side of the case is decorated with a jagged edge like a coin (for example, a 50 yen coin), which is also called coin edge decoration and is probably a watch term that everyone knows.

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After the death of Abraham-Louis Breguet, the company was run by the founding family for two generations, but after that, it underwent repeated M&A with French jewellery manufacturer Chaumet and others, and in 1999, the Swatch Group acquired Lemania and Breguet . It is still part of the Swatch Group today.

It is said that famous people who used the watch included Queen Victoria of England, Italian composer Rossini, Marie Antoinette, Napoleon Bonaparte, the Queen of Naples, Tsar Alexander of Russia, and King George IV of England, and the case back of a regulator (Ref. 1747) sold in our store has the names of 48 famous customers inscribed on it.

Of course it's a testament to tradition, but I think it's also the best evidence of their technical ability, innovation, and reliability.

Now, let’s introduce some popular and recommended models from Breguet .

Recommended Model 1: Marine Ref.5817ST/92/5V8

The first model we will introduce is a new model for 2008. It features Breguet- like hands and indexes, a guilloche dial, and coin-edge decoration on the side of the case. The Marine II is packed with the charm of Breguet .

The Marine II is a luxury sports watch, but it also has the classic look that is characteristic of Breguet , making it a popular model. The calendar part is the same black color as the dial, and the date is displayed in white letters for a big date that improves visibility. The case has a see-through back, allowing you to see the beautifully finished movement. It is a classic model that is packed with the tradition of Breguet .

In fact, the appearance of the Marine has been revamped since 2017, and many people prefer the previous model to the current one. New features include lugs integrated with the case, fluted side panels with wider groove spacing, and a crown with the initial B surrounded by wavy decoration.

The stainless steel bracelet model of Ref. 5817ST/92/SM (MSRP 2,156,000 yen) is easy to use, and we also recommend purchasing a rubber strap.

[Source][Source][Source][Source][Source][Source][Source] Breguet

List price: 3,751,000 yen (tax included)

summary

What did you think.

The classic design that follows tradition and the various mechanisms developed by Breguet give it a charm that is different from other brands.

It is not a brand that is easily accessible at the regular price, but there are some models available at relatively affordable prices on the secondary market. If you are interested, please take a look at their website.

In addition, our store, Commit Ginza, is also strengthening its service of accepting and selling Breguet watches , so if you are considering selling, please feel free to contact us.

Text By Yoichiro Yamashita

Watch the video here

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