Watch out: Breguet’s Classique Reference 7147

The beautiful timepiece from the brand loved by Queen Victoria and Winston Churchill

The name Abraham Louis Breguet will be familiar to many as probably the greatest watch maker who ever lived.

Beloved by the rich and famous, from Queen Victoria to Sir Winston Churchill, Breguet is credited with inventing the wrist watch itself when he created a piece for Caroline Bonaparte, Queen of Naples, which attached to the arm by a band made from gold threads.

The latest model in the brand’s Classique line-up, is the Reference 7147. For a not unreasonable £14,000 (this is a Breguet, after all) you get a 40mm time-only watch in rose gold with an engine-turned, silvered dial complemented by a ‘cross weave’ small seconds indicator, classic blued steel ‘Breguet’ hands and a chapter ring marked with Roman numerals.

Typical touches like engine turned dials, ‘hobnail’ cases and blued steel hands are all present – not just because they look great, but also because they add protection from tarnishing and improved resilience.

Look closely, meanwhile, and you’ll spot the Breguet secret signature on either side of ‘12’. And, if ever you tire of the front, a sapphire crystal case back allows the ultra-thin, self winding movement to be seen in all its glory. It’s an heirloom watch if ever there was one.

This article was written by Simon De Burton for our November/December Issue. Subscribe here.

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