The New Breguet Classique 7235, a Tribute to the Origins of the Breguet Style

Just after the introduction of the new Classique 7225, marking the return of the innovative magnetic pivot, Breguet releases another watch within its 250th anniversary collection. But this time, it’s not about shining a spotlight on one of the founder’s innovations, but rather to pay tribute to design principles defined by A.L. Breguet, to all the elements that make a Breguet watch instantly recognisable – an important theme in the brand’s history that we have explained in this video named “the unmistakable signs“. Searching through the immense archives of Breguet, one watch somehow perfectly embodies the house style: the No. 5 pocket watch, delivered in 1794. And its defining features are now back in a wristwatch format, with the new Breguet Classique 7235.

Even though it was delivered all the way back in 1794, the Breguet Perpetuelle pocket watch No. 5 already featured everything you’d expect from a Breguet: a silvered guilloché dial, the blued steel Breguet hands with hollowed tips, and the off-centred indications… Elements that feel highly classic today but that were far from traditional during the late 18th century. The No. 5, as well as many other contemporary models produced by Abraham-Louis Breguet in this specific and now emblematic style, was particularly modern compared to most pocket watches, which often featured a dense, cluttered style brimming with baroque ornamental touches. Breguet introduces something more modern, more legible and practical too, but also a style of his own that made his atelier a brand. This style evolved into a comprehensive, unified, and consistent one, forging the legend of the name.

With this strong image in mind, Breguet now pays tribute to a design language that’s over 200 years old, releasing the new Classique 7235. At first, this watch feels like a revamped version of the Classique 7137 Moon & Power Reserve. In a way, this isn’t entirely wrong. Both watches share the same inspiration, the base architecture of the movement is shared, and the display feels similar… But there’s more than meets the eye.

First, we need to discuss the case, as the 250th anniversary collection revamps a design established for decades (first seen when Daniel Roth was in charge of Breguet’s design), featuring a case with fluted case bands and soldered lugs. Just like the Souscription 2025, the Breguet Classique 7235 relies on a more traditional 3-part case with the lugs integrated into the case middle, curved and more ergonomic than before. The mid case now has a hand-guilloché “Quai de l’Horloge”  motif too, and the domed bezel frames a spherical sapphire crystal that mimics the glass of vintage pocket watches. Made of 18k Breguet gold (the proprietary alloy of the collection), the 7235 measures 39mm in diameter and 9.9mm in thickness.

The dial, also made of solid Breguet gold, is peak Breguet style. The entire face of the watch is made using hand-applied guilloché techniques, with the new “Quai de l’Horloge” motif. However, the 7235 isn’t a mere copy of the Classique 7137 and features different indications. The central blued steel Breguet hands indicate the hours and minutes, the power reserve is located at 10:30, the moon phase is at 1:30, and the lower part of the dial is now home to a small seconds. The small seconds and power reserve sector, as well as the dial rim, feature the same “Quai de l’Horloge” pattern, but in a circular rendering. They are separated from the straight guilloché by satin-brushed inserts with blue Roman numerals. The moon at 2 o’clock is an exact reproduction of the one featured on the N°5 watch, just like the rest of the display. Another interesting feature, the dial isn’t flat, but is thinner at the edges than in the centre, giving it a slightly sloping profile at the edge of the chapter ring.

Inside the case is a new version of the thin automatic movement with an off-centred rotor, the calibre 502.3.DRL (the same base is used in the 7137 and the 7337). This self-winding movement, equipped with a silicon balance spring, measures only 3.95mm in thickness thanks to the offset oscillating weight – the latter is also new, openworked, made of gold with a large B logo. Running at a 3Hz frequency, it stores about 45 hours of power reserve. It is presented here in a highly decorated version, and the bridges are hand-engraved with the so-called “Turgot” map depicting the Quai de l’Horloge.

Worn on a blue alligator strap with a gold pin buckle, the new Breguet Classique 7235 for the 250th anniversary is released as a limited edition of 250 pieces and is priced at CHF 65,000 (incl. taxes). For more details, please visit breguet.com.