Breguet is mixing things up in its Classique Dame collection, introducing the 8068 with a quick strap-change feature for the first time. The Breguet Classique Dame 8068, which comes in either a white- or rose-gold case, allows its wearers to quickly and easily change between an array of colourful straps – thus transforming the aesthetic of the watch.
The Classique collection
Maison Breguet’s Classique collection is all about purity and refinement. As well as being a watchmaker, Abraham-Louis Breguet is also considered to be one of the first designers. When founding the company in 1775, the Baroque style was very much in favour – Breguet, however, also introduced neoclassical aesthetics into watchmaking. This is evident within the enduring Classique collection, with its avant-garde style, high readability, and exquisite dial.
Case
The Classique Dame 8068 comes in a either rose or white-gold with the maison’s recognisable fluted caseband. The 30 mm precious metal case and lugs sparkle with no less than 64 brilliant-cut diamonds. In addition, the crown no longer features a blue sapphire, but rather a cabochon diamond. As a result, the watch’s colour scheme can fit harmoniously to any strap option. In addition, the watch is water-resistant to 30 m.
Dial
The dial is indeed avant-garde in its style, featuring open-tipped pomme hands and a refined central guilloche pattern. The horology house achieves this with the help of a traditional rose engine lathe. Highly feminine in its style, surrounding the elegant timepiece’s central motif is a ring of mother-of-pearl. In addition, signature Breguet numerals display the hours on the chapter ring. Finally, a subtle oval cartouche bearing the brand logo appears at 12 o’clock, adding another traditional touch.
Movement
Powering the new Classique Dame 8068 is the calibre 537/3. Sparing no attention to detail, it features a platinum oscillating weight, hand-graved on a rose engine with a circular barleycorn pattern. The sapphire crystal caseback also displays other decorations for which Breguet is revered, including chamfering and the Côtes de Genève motif. The rhodium-plated self-winding movement, which beats at a fairly unusual frequency of 3.5 Hz, is endowed with a 45-hour power reserve. Furthermore, it integrates an in-line Swiss lever escapement and a silicon balance spring. Silicon is not only resistant to corrosion and wear, but is also insensitive to the influence of magnetic fields – thus improving the precision of the timepiece.
Straps with quick-change system
Last but not least, the all-important straps. The Classique Dame 8068 introduces – for the first time in the Breguet collections – a set of three interchangeable straps in one box. This rapid interchange system allows clients to easily switch from one strap to another without a tool. Simply pressing the pusher located under the strap enables the user to lift up, remove and replace it with one of the two other straps, each fitted with a gold buckle.
Meanwhile, the strap options include ‘teal blue’ and ‘Byzantium purple’ for the white-gold version, or ‘peacock blue’ and ‘raspberry pink’ for the rose-gold model. There is also the option of a black satin strap for those wanting a more subtle aesthetic. The price of the Breguet Classique Dame 8068 is 27,200 euros, regardless of precious material.
FEATURES
| BRAND | Breguet |
| MODEL | Classique Dame 8068 |
| REFERENCE | 8068BB/59/764/DD00 8068BR/59/764/DD00 |
| CASE MATERIAL | White- or rose-gold |
| DIMENSIONS | Diameter: 30 mm Height: 7.7 mm |
| WATER RESISTANCE | 30 m (~3 bar) |
| DIAL | Mother-of-pearl, hand-engraved on a rose engine |
| STRAP/BRACELET | One black satin fabric strap, two colourful alligator leather straps |
| MOVEMENT | Calibre 537/3 |
| MOVEMENT TYPE | Self-winding |
| POWER RESERVE | 45 hours |
| FREQUENCY | 3.5 Hz (25,200 vph) |
| FUNCTIONS | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| PRICE | EUR 27,200 |