The Breguet Classique 5277 White Gold (5277BB/12/9V6) is a stunning wristwatch created by the renowned Swiss watchmaker, Breguet, who has been crafting exceptional timepieces since 1775. This masterpiece is part of the Classique collection, which showcases Breguet's traditional style and superior craftsmanship. Fitted with a hand-wound movement, the Classique 5277 features a subdial for seconds, a power-reserve indicator, and a balance spring crafted from silicon.

The case is made from luxurious 18-carat white gold, while the silvered gold dial is hand-engraved on a rose engine. Incredible elegance, refinement, and timelessness are the trademarks of the Breguet brand, and the Classique 5277 White Gold is no exception. It represents the perfect blend of Breguet's heritage and innovation, making it the ideal accessory for the discerning wearer who appreciates the finer things in life.

Visual Brilliance: Exploring the Form

This watch boasts an elegant and refined design, featuring an 18-carat white gold case that measures 38 mm in diameter. The case has a thin bezel, and a sapphire crystal caseback that reveals the hand-wound movement with a 96-hour power reserve indicator. On the silvered gold dial, you'll find Roman numerals for the hour markers, with a seconds subdial located at the 6 o'clock position.

The hands feature a beautiful blued steel signature Breguet style. It comes with a black leather strap that has a white gold pin buckle. The aesthetics of this watch are classic and timeless, appealing to those who admire the craftsmanship and tradition of Breguet.

The watch has a simple and balanced layout, with a subtle contrast between the white gold and the silver dial. The hand-engraved dial adds a touch of sophistication and uniqueness, while the blued steel hands provide a pop of color and legibility. With a water-resistance level of 3 bar (30m), it's perfect for everyday wear.

Behind the Shine: Material Selection and Build

Crafted from 18-carat white gold, the watch is not only durable, but also resistant to corrosion. Its refined and elegant look is accentuated by the case, bezel, and hands made from the same precious metal. The captivating dial, intricately engraved by hand on a rose engine, is silvered.

A black alligator leather strap complements the white gold case, providing a comfortable fit. The watch features a sapphire caseback, allowing the wearer to appreciate the hand-wound movement and its components. The balance spring in silicon, which is anti-magnetic and temperature-stable, enhances the watch's accuracy and reliability.

There is a seconds subdial at 6 o'clock and a power-reserve indicator at 3 o'clock, which displays the remaining energy of the 96-hour power reserve. With a water-resistant rating of 3 bar (30m), the watch can withstand splashes and rain, while its diameter of 38mm is a classic and versatile size that suits most wrists. More than just a timekeeper, this exquisite timepiece showcases the craftsmanship and innovation of Breguet, thanks to its simple and elegant design.

Crafting Time: A Study of Movement and Precision

This particular watch boasts a hand-wound movement that utilizes a balance spring crafted from silicon. The process of winding the mainspring manually by rotating the crown is required to power the watch. This style of movement is widely recognized as being traditional and sophisticated.

The balance spring is a remarkable feature that regulates the speed of the balance wheel, which swings back and forth to maintain accurate time. The use of silicon in the balance spring offers several benefits over metal, including resistance to magnetism, corrosion, and temperature fluctuations. The watch includes a 96-hour power-reserve indicator conveniently located at 3 o'clock on the beautifully hand-engraved rose engine silvered gold dial.

Additionally, a practical seconds subdial located at 6 o'clock displays continuous seconds. The watch operates with a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz), causing the balance wheel to swing 21,600 times every hour. This aspect of the movement significantly contributes to its accuracy and smoothness.

While a higher frequency may result in greater accuracy, it may also cause more wear and tear on the parts. Similarly, a lower frequency may reduce accuracy, but requires less power and maintenance. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not provide an accuracy specification, but we expect it to be accurate within a few seconds per day. This movement does not include any hacking or hand-winding capabilities. Hacking is the function that stops the second's hand when the crown is pulled, allowing for synchronized timekeeping. Hand-winding enables the wearer to wind the mainspring by rotating the crown without removing the watch from the wrist.

In-Depth: The Many Faces of Functionality

This watch boasts impressive functions and complications. It features a hand-wound movement with a sleek seconds subdial at the 6 o'clock position and a helpful power-reserve indicator at the 3 o'clock position. The power-reserve indicator allows for easy monitoring of the mainspring's energy level, providing up to 96 hours of power when fully wound.

The balance spring of the watch is created with durable silicon, making it resistant to magnetic fields and temperature changes. The dial of the watch is a beautiful silvered gold, delicately engraved by hand on a rose engine, resulting in a stunning guilloché pattern. The caseback is made with sapphire crystal, affording the wearer with an exclusive view of the remarkable movement within.

And should you accidentally get caught in a rain shower, this watch is built to last, with water resistance up to 3 bar (30m).

Comfort and Wearability

Designed for both comfort and elegance, this wristwatch features an 18-carat white gold casing with a diameter of 38 mm, making it suitable for most wrist sizes. Its sapphire caseback allows you to admire the stunning hand-wound movement complete with a seconds subdial and 96-hour power-reserve indicator. With a silicon balance spring, this watch provides superior accuracy and durability.

The silvered gold dial is beautifully hand-engraved on a rose engine, emanating a refined and timeless aesthetic. Its black alligator leather strap, complete with a pin buckle clasp, ensures a secure and adjustable fit. Water-resistant up to 3 bar (30m), this watch can withstand splashes and raindrops, but should not be worn while swimming or diving.

For those who seek the elegance and craftsmanship of a traditional timepiece, this is the perfect choice.

Time's Worth: A Price and Value Analysis

This luxury timepiece boasts a classic and elegant design that's been expertly crafted with high-quality materials. On the private sales market, it typically sells for an average of $12,500, while secondary dealers may ask around $13,700. Interestingly, this watch is comparably more affordable than other models in its class, like the Patek Philippe Calatrava or Vacheron Constantin Patrimony, yet still offers similar levels of prestige and performance.

For those who appreciate the refined style and historical heritage of Breguet, this watch is an excellent value for the money.

Balancing the Scales: Advantages & Drawbacks

Advantages and Disadvantages One of the impressive features of this mechanical timepiece is its hand-wound movement with a 96-hour power-reserve indicator. This allows you to keep track of your watch's winding status. It also showcases the precision and skill of Breguet's craftsmanship.

The use of a silicon balance spring in the watch enhances the accuracy and durability of the movement by resisting the effects of magnetic fields and temperature variations. Furthermore, the dial is hand-engraved using a rose engine, giving it an elegant and refined appearance, which is further highlighted by the silvered gold material used. Another notable advantage of the watch is its sapphire caseback, which allows you to admire the movement's intricate details, such as the Côtes de Genève and Breguet's signature.

However, it has its share of disadvantages. The watch is only water-resistant up to 3 bar (30m), which limits its versatility and practicality. It may not be suitable for activities like swimming or diving.

Additionally, its 38mm diameter may not be suitable for some people's wrist sizes or preferences, particularly men who tend to prefer larger watches. Finally, the watch's market price may be beyond the reach of most people as it is very expensive, with an average market price of around $17,000. It may also make it a target for theft or damage.

End of the Hour: Our Conclusion

The Classique 5277 White Gold (5277BB/12/9V6) is a true testament to Breguet's exceptional craftsmanship and rich heritage. Boasting a hand-wound movement with a silicon balance spring, as well as a power-reserve indicator and a hand-engraved silvered gold dial, this watch is the epitome of elegance and refinement. The sleek white gold case is both slim and comfortable, while the roman numerals and distinctive breguet-shaped hands add a touch of timeless sophistication.

This watch is perfect for those who appreciate the artistry of watchmaking and have a deep appreciation for the history of Breguet – one of the world's most prestigious and venerable watch brands. However, despite its charms and exclusivity (with only a few thousand watches produced each year), this watch may not be for everyone. With its hefty price tag of around $19,500 and no additional functions or complications beyond basic timekeeping and power-reserve display, it is not the most versatile or practical everyday accessory.

Additionally, it offers limited water-resistance at only 30 meters (98 ft). Nevertheless, for those who are committed to investing in quality, beauty, and prestige, the Classique 5277 White Gold is a wise choice.