As its latest new release for 2023, Breguet has expanded its Classique collection with a pair of new perpetual calendar watches in solid gold cases. As its name suggests, the Breguet Classique series is a lineup of elegant, classically-styled pieces, with models ranging from simple three-handed pieces to others that showcase extravagant gem-setting or high-level complications. Offered in either white or rose gold and paired with elegant silver guilloché dials, the pair of new Breguet Classique Quantième Perpétuel 7327 watches are firmly of the later variety, and they offer a refined and traditional take on one of watchmaking’s most highly regarded complications.
Available in either 18k rose gold as the ref. 7327BR/11/9VU or in 18k white gold as the ref. 7327BB/11/9VU, both versions of the new Breguet Classique Quantième Perpétuel 7327 feature the same round case that measures 39mm in diameter by 9.13mm thick, with a thin polished bezel and the collection’s signature con-edge textured band along the side of its case. Sapphire crystals are fitted to both the dial side of the watch and its snap-on display caseback, while access to the movement is granted by a signed winding crown at the 3 o’clock location along with a series of small push-pieces that sit slightly recessed into the side of the case. As the Breguet Classique series is a lineup of dress watches, depth ratings are hardly a priority, although the new Classique Quantième Perpétuel 7327 watches still feature 30 meters of water resistance to prevent all forms of daily incidental contact.
Despite the different shades of gold used for their cases, both versions of the new Breguet Classique Quantième Perpétuel 7327 are fitted with the same silver guillochoé dial that features black Roman numeral hour markers and a diagonal Claus de Paris hobnail pattern in the center of its surface. Aside from an arc-shaped aperture for the moonphase display in the upper right-hand corner of the dial, all of the various other indicators are displayed by hands (rather than windows/etc.), with the months on the upper left-hand corner of the dial, the date at 6 o’clock, and a pair of smaller registers placed directly above the date register, which are dedicated to the day and leap year indicators.
Similarly, both versions of the Classique Quantième Perpétuel 7327 are also fitted with the same set of blued hands, with the hour and minute hand appearing in the brand’s signature Breguet-style shape, while the rest of the hands are simple thin blue needles. However, although both models are fitted with the same dial and hands, the white gold version receives a blue alligator leather strap, while the rose gold edition receives the same style of strap in brown, and both straps are fitted with folding clasps in their respective shades of 18k gold to match the cases of their watches.
Powering the new duo of Breguet Classique Quantième Perpétuel 7327 watches is the brand’s Caliber 502.3.P automatic movement. Based upon the core architecture of the brand’s Caliber 502 but fitted with an additional perpetual calendar mechanical mechanism, the Breguet Cal. 502.3.P is a 294-component movement that runs at a frequency of 21,600vph (3 Hz) with a power reserve of approximately 45 hours. Featuring a silicon hairspring and solid platinum rotor, the off-center design of the self-winding mechanism helps the Cal. 502.3.P achieve a thickness of just 4.5mm, which is the key factor that enables the new Classique Quantième Perpétuel 7327 watches to have an overall height of just over 9mm.
Just as you would expect from any Breguet movement, the Caliber 502.3.P is decorated to incredibly high standards, with perlagé, brushing, and Geneva stripes throughout the entirety of its plates and bridges (even on the non-visible sections), along with a spiral guillochoé pattern adorning its off-center platinum rotor. Additionally, the moonphase disc on the Breguet Cal. 502.3.P is finished with blue lacquer and hand-hammered sections for the moon indicators to create an added sense of realism and craftsmanship that matches the overall silver and blue color profile of the dial.
While the pair of new watches may be crafted from different shades of 18k gold, both the white gold (ref. 7327BB/11/9VU) and rose gold (ref. 7327BR/11/9VU) versions of the Breguet Classique Quantième Perpétuel 7327 cost the exact same and are accompanied by an official retail price of $80,200 USD. While this makes the new Breguet 7327 more than four times the cost of what the brand charges for the standard time-only model from the Classique collection, it’s important to reminder we are talking about a perpetual calendar from one of the oldest and most well-respected luxury watch manufacturers in the entire world. For more information on the Breguet Classique Quantième Perpétuel 7327 collection, please visit the brand’s website.