Breguet

A couple of months ago I got a quick look at the new Classique 5277 in rose gold. My first impression was that it is a beautiful watch, and nothing has changed since then.

I have also finally gotten the chance to see and take some photographs of the 5277 in white gold, and I like it equally as much. 

One quality I appreciate about Breguet watches is the use of blued steel for the hands. With rose gold case, the blue enhances the warmth of the metal. In the instance of white gold, I find it offers a nice contrast to the silver of the dial, breaking up an otherwise monochromatic palate that one would find with a white gold watch with white gold hands (say with a Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle or a Patek Philippe 5196, the most natural competitors to the Breguet 5277).

The 38 mm of the case wears large due to the slim high polished bezel, but it is well proportioned at only 8 mm thick.

 

There is much to adore with Breguet cases. I like the consistency across the entire collection, and the case makes a nice frame for the beautiful hand-finished guilloche dials.

Before looking at the movement in the photo below, please note the safety screw on the underside of the lug: This tiny screw locks the threaded lug screw into place, ensuring an extra layer of security. Please check for this screw before ever attempting a strap change on a Breguet watch (not all models have it). Failing to do so will inevitably lead to one making a mess of the lug screw and/ or the lugs.

The Breguet 515DR is large enough to allow the small second hand to be located far enough away from the center of the dial so that it feels well balanced.

As with many Breguet movements in current production, the 515DR incorporates a silicon balance spring, which beats at the standard 28,800 VPH. The balance is free-sprung.

The 96 hours of the power reserve comes from a new, patented steel alloy used in the springs of the mainspring barrels (without which the expected power reserve would be closer to 68 hours). Breguet calls it a ‘high energy barrel.”

One characteristic that I really enjoy in Breguet watches is the asymmetry often seen in the dials, especially those of pieces with complications (though the 5140, with small seconds offset to the right from the traditional 6 o’clock positioning, is simple). The placement of the power reserve between 1 and 2 adds interest to the dial without drawing undue attention. 

The 5277 is an outstanding dress watch, and a good value as well. Though it adds the power reserve complication to an otherwise simple movement, it still has a lower retail value than either the Vacheron Constantin 82172 or Patek Philippe 5196 mentioned above. It should be on the shortlist for anyone considering a luxury gold dress watch.

Bill

A strong competitor to those you mentionned. With an extra touch of " Chic ", in the case of Breguet, I find...

Best,

Nicolas

Beautiful dial. Classic looking and keeping to breguets heritage. You will get a lot of use out of it....and I presume a lot of compliments.

and it seems like you get a lot of watch for the money. I do not know the exact price but I assume is in the USD 20 K Range.  Maybe its me, but I believe that sometimes the simpler pieces from these top brands are usually the most beautiful.  I certainly feel this way about the 5277 and also the Patrimony Traditionelle maunal wind which you mention.

1815 up/ down? Both have seconds and power reserve. 

only problem is that it is hard to get my hands on Lange watches, and especially that particular model. It is a worthy candidate for anyone looking for a dress watch with power reserve.

Bill

retails both Lange and Breguet.  They had the 1815 up/down.  The price is approximately $32K.  The sales guy was not to aware of the 5277 and could not find the price from his master price list.  He also told me in a very subtle way that the Lange and movement/s are vastly superior to Breguets.

Is there truth in this statement?

Also, what is the price of the 5277?

the 5277 bb retails at slightly less than $20k

just booked mine , pending delivery.

could not muster much courage for the 7727 (well over the budget, >2x)

Seconds sundial and pr indicator. Both have in-house movements, the Breguet even has silicon and has a guilloche dial. And both brands are equally prestigious. So why is the Lange more expensive by $10-12k?

Compared with the Lange 1815 Up and Down the Breguet feels like a relative bargain at $19,000 in rose gold and $19,500 in white gold.

I like the Lange as well, and have nothing bad to say about the brand though that doesn't mean I don't have my own criticisms about that particular watch. The Breguet is a tremendous value by any measure, and I would strongly disagree with the salesman who implied that the Lange is "vastly superior."

Bill

to most top brands.

I agree with you.

Both pieces look nice and both have their pros and cons.

But my question is; considering Breguet is a top 5 or top 10 (depending who you ask) brand; why have their priced a piece which has PR indicator; 96 hour PR; Guilloche dial, and usage of silicon in movement at sub-20K? If VC had these attributes in a model, the price would easily be 35-40K at least.

Is this pricing intentional?

5277 in both RG anf WG version. This is a beautiful watch, and this is one instance where I prefer the WG version more.

And it is very well priced. One gets a lot fo watch for this level of money.

This is a piece that I would love to own.

should be considered in the same class of brands as Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe, Lange, and Audemars Piguet. That said, the brand was a bit of a mess when Swatchgroup purchased them and it took some time to clean it up. Pricing has consequently had to be more rational. Great value for the $$, IMO.

Bill

After having spoken to a number of ADs in the UK,in Malaysia and in Singapore, I can conclude on the following:

The daily tolerance of the 5277 is +5 -1. The annual production of Breguet is currently a lot higher than the 5,000 pieces it used to produce pre Swatch group. In fact, unlike other brands, Breguet will not release information on the precise numbers but 20,000  is a likely figure.

Most Lange watches have a daily tolerance of +3 -2 (like Patek). The annual production for Lange is 5,000 pieces and they are therefore more exclusive. Their watches are assembled twice unlike other brands to ensure superb quality. Lange is fortunate to be based in Glashutte where wages are lower than in Switzerland or else their watches will be priced even more steeply because a Lange is still relatively good value compared to a Patek and a Vacheron. Each balance cock is hand engraved by one of only 6 engravers (each with his/her own style) making each watch unique.

Speaking to one of the best watchmakers or at least one of the best at finishing watches, Kari Voutilainen, he said that the finishing at Lange is amazing at the price they sell their watches for and apart his own brand, he would wear a Lange or a FP Journe.

Now I will admit that Breguet is at the forefront of watch technology with its use of silicon and the dials are intricate. I believe the Swatch group has adopted a more aggressive approach in their marketing of Breguet by opening many boutiques around the world and reducing the sale of their watches from normal retail outlets. They have also undercut their main rivals by pricing their watches much more favourably. Lucky us then, the collectors and connoisseurs who can now buy watches like the 5277 at under $20k or £13,600.

I have owned a Lange up and down but felt it was a bit large for me at 39mm. I have since sold it as it was not as slim as I am used to. The Breguet at 38mm is slimmer and lighter and to me much more wearable and I hope to purchase it one day. To wind up the Lange with its 72 hours of power reserve on a single barrel (instead of two or more barrels) took me more than 150 rotations which I found excessive. The Breguet with its 96 hour power reserve can be fully wound on fewer rotations (sorry I did not count but it was less than 100). If you look at the movement of both watches though, the quality of the Lange is more apparent than the Breguet.

The above is purely my observation and many of you I know will prefer larger and heavier watches while others may buy a watch which is more exclusive. For me the accuracy, dial, size,weight,history and slimness are all important factors.

 

 

 

 

This breguet 5277 winds at about 50 rounds to full PR and is silky smooth.  There is also a safety mechanism -- when the PR is full up it does not hit a dead end , but a click to disengage the winding .  This message has been edited by bobi22 on 2014-12-21 21:24:07

because? This Breguet is a beautiful watch. Check out Lange auction numbers while you at it. So much for "vastly superior."

Basically apart from Patek, most brands no matter how well they are finished or how lovely they look don't do too well at auctions if one were to compare the auction price with the original retail price. Watches depreciate like most other things but I agree aesthetically that the Breguet 5277 as with other Breguets look sublime and are excellent value for money, new or used.

However, I think reading comments from the 'experts and moderators' on this forum, Patek and Lange seem to have the edge among the large manufacturers. I mean you hear about the Swiss holy trinity (Patek. Audermars,Vacheron) so it is interesting that Breguet has never been included in this elite group.

Breguets are amazing watches and my own personal concern is that their lugs do not hug the wrist as well, being straight rather than curved> As a result, a 38mm Breguet will not hug the wrist as well as an equivalent size watch from a competitor. This is quite important to those of us with smaller wrists.

Sham

I still prefer the ref. 3130/3137 which remains the father of all the power reserve Breguet classical watches and for my taste still the best conceived, by Daniel Roth in the second half of the 80's, inspired by the pocket watch n.5 made by the french master watchmaker



Regards

in this and the surrounding threads.You have some of the most iconic models from Breguet's recent past.  I am curious to know what pieces from the current catalog are of most interest to you?

Bill

Some time ago i had the opportunity to watch the entire Breguet collection in the company boutique in Wien ad the experience was, in a some way, very frustrating (with my 3130 on the wrist )

I think one of the best works from Daniel Roth. So inspirired!

Bill,
I just found your review of the 5277. The watch looks gorgeous. Do you know if the movement has a second-hacking function?
Best,
Matthias