Classics never go out of fashion. This is also true for the Perpetuélle timepieces invented by Abraham-Louis Breguet with their à secousses (moving) oscillating weight. As the successor model to the Classique Quantième Perpétuel 5327 released in 2004, the Classique Quantième Perpétuel 7327 is a reinterpretation of the classic with regards to its functionality and design. Meanwhile, the perpetual calendar complication and the calibre 502.3 P are combined into a lightweight, functional timepiece with two different gold finishes.
Two versions of the Classique Quantième Perpétuel 7327 are available – with a case in 18-carat white gold or 18-carat rose gold. With its fluted caseband (groove-cut sides), this model bears the distinctive Breguet design. To ensure a secure strap, Breguet also relies on lugs that are welded directly onto the case as well as screw pins between the horns. In diameter, the watch measures 39 mm and in height 9.13 mm. Through a sapphire crystal caseback, one can have a closer look at the versatile ornaments of the movement. In addition, the timepiece has a water resistance of up to 30 metres.
Since Abraham-Louis Breguet conceived them at the end of the 18th century, silvered dials with guilloché have been one of the brand’s best-known design features. Likewise, the Classique Quantième Perpétuel 7327 features a silvered gold dial with a hand-worked Clous-de-Paris decoration, the so-called hobnail pattern. The characteristic blued steel Breguet hands with an open-worked pomme tip indicate the hours represented by Roman numerals and minutes marked by dots.
Apart from providing the time, this model offers its wearer additional information. In the lower part of the dial, the date and the day of the week are accurately displayed in a circular representation. Additionally, the dial takes the leap year into account. On the left side of the upper half of the dial, a retrograde hand indicates the months. These are arranged in a quarter circle at 10:30. To the right, at 1 o’clock, a hammered moon with a sky made up of shimmering blue sequined lacquer adorns the moon phase display. Furthermore, this model carries Breguet’s secret signature, which was introduced in 1795. When the light is flat, it becomes visible between 11 and 12 o’clock and between 12 and 1 o’clock, respectively.
As one of the thinnest automatic movements with calendar function, the calibre 502.3 P of the Classique Quantième Perpétuel 7327 measures only 4.5 mm in height. It consists of 294 rhodium-plated components and receives a continuous energy supply through the open barrel. With the help of the hour’s wheel and a large rocker that intervenes with the movement daily, the perpetual calendar shows the exact times. These include the day of the week, month, year, and moon phases. The mechanical memory even considers leap years and adds February 29 every four years.
Moving on to decoration, a barley motif on the gold oscillating weight emphasizes the unique nature of Abraham-Louis Breguet’s Perpetuélle watches. In addition, Geneva stripes adorn the bridge and other individual parts of the movement. The automatic movement of the Classique Quantième Perpétuel 7327 operates at a frequency of 3 Hz. It has a power reserve of 45 hours. Durable silicon constitutes the balance-spring as well as the horns of the inverted straight-line escapement. Thus, it ensures an improved accuracy.
Depending on which variant the wearer chooses, there is a matching strap made of alligator leather with a folding clasp. The white-gold Breguet Classique Quantième Perpétuel 7327 is available with a midnight-blue strap. However, the rose-gold version has one in dark brown. The price of this timepiece is 84,500 euros.
