THE RADIANCE OF “GRAND FEU” ENAMEL

Among the new timepieces unveiled by the watchmaker from the Joux Valley at the 2017 BaselWorld is a refined and timeless piece featuring a dial coated with “Grand Feu” enamel and equipped with an extra-flat in-house movement

In watchmaking, like in art, fashion, architecture and many other domains, taste is subject to debate. But it must be admitted that the classical systematically outclasses the trendy. It has always been and still is an essential element and an undeniable must have. Whatever happens, the classical will always please people. Fashions come and go (and come back again), but the timeless classics keep their status as the icons of time. A perfect example to illustrate these remarks is the Classique 7147 timepiece by Breguet, which includes inside and out all the rich heritage left by its founder, Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747-1823).

The new watch, made in the Breguet workshops at the heart of the Joux Valley, provides an irresistibly classic allure, as its name implies. A refinement that time cannot diminish. The Classique 7147 model features a dial with an alabaster colour, a radiant pallor, with a brightness and purity expressing the use of “Grand Feu” enamel. Only the soft, melting effect produced by a technique dating from the Middle Ages can give rise to such beauty. Once the dial has been coated in enamel, the hour rim, featuring the traditional black Breguet figures, is traced on the spotless disc. A fine minute track made up of small black dots completes the black and white graphic effect. Two large open-tipped hands stretch out their long, slim bodies made of blued steel from the centre of the dial towards the chapter ring to show the hours and minutes. Set between 5 and 6 o’clock is a hollow counter displaying the seconds with a revolving blue hand.

The displays are driven by the calibre 502.3SD, an extra-flat automatic mechanical movement designed by Breguet. The calibre has a gentle frequency of 3Hz and provides a power reserve of 45 hours.

The heart of the Classique 7147 is housed in a white gold case with delicately fluted sides. Since the case back features a sapphire disc, part of the mechanism is revealed. This 40mm-diameter setting is also on offer in pink gold and is worn with a black alligator strap and a gold ardillon buckle.

Price: 20 500 CHF (pink gold) – 21 000 CHF (white gold) breguet.com

By Sharmila Bertin