About the Breguet Classique Collection
Founded on the legacy of Abraham-Louis Breguet, the inventor of the tourbillon, the Classique line stands as Breguet's core expression of traditional watchmaking, tracing its heritage directly to the pocket watches and complications he created for European royalty and Napoleon Bonaparte. Every piece in the collection is distinguished by signature design codes: guilloché-engraved dials crafted on traditional rose-engine lathes, blued Breguet hands with their unmistakable hollow tips, and winding crowns set with cabochon sapphires. The collection deliberately spans a wide spectrum of complications and configurations—time-only dress references like the 5177, the romantically inclined 7787 Phase de Lune, the historically inspired Souscription 2025, and the mechanically commanding Tourbillon 3358—all united by the same commitment to hand-finished movement architecture and classical proportions that make these watches enduring heirlooms.
What to Look For
Buyers choosing within the Breguet Classique line should pay close attention to case material and size, as the same reference such as the 5177 or 3358 is offered in rose gold, white gold, and platinum, each carrying distinct visual character and market value, with platinum examples typically commanding a premium. Dial configuration is equally consequential: the Tourbillon 3358 alone appears with white mother of pearl and diamond dials, blue mother of pearl and diamond dials, and variations across yellow and white gold cases, meaning reference numbers like 3358BB/8D/986 D0 and 3358BB/VD/986 D0 represent meaningfully different watches despite sharing a base caliber.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Breguet Classique Tourbillon 3358 special?
The Breguet Classique Tourbillon 3358 is a 35mm dress tourbillon available in white gold and yellow gold, featuring diamond-set mother of pearl dials in white or blue, making it one of the most refined and feminine tourbillon watches in fine watchmaking. It combines Breguet's historic invention of the tourbillon with the delicate aesthetic codes of the Classique line, including guilloché dials and Breguet hands, and represents a significant investment in both craft and heritage.
How does the Breguet Classique 5177 differ between rose gold and platinum?
The Breguet Classique 5177 is a 38mm time-only dress watch offered in both rose gold, reference 5177BR/2N/9V6, and platinum, reference 5177PT/2N/9V6, both paired with a black dial and leather strap. While the movement and case architecture are consistent between variants, the platinum version offers a cooler, denser feel and typically carries a higher retail and secondary market value than its rose gold counterpart.
Is the Breguet Classique a good watch to buy as an investment?
Breguet Classique references, particularly the Tourbillon 3358 and platinum variants of the 5177 and 7787, are produced in limited quantities with high levels of hand finishing, which supports their long-term desirability among collectors. While no watch purchase is a guaranteed financial investment, the Classique line's direct connection to watchmaking history, prestigious manufacture status, and consistent demand make authenticated examples from reputable dealers like Bizak and Co. a sound choice for the discerning buyer.
Buy, trade, or sell. Contact Bizak & Co. for pricing and availability on any reference in this collection.
