Breguet Classique Chronométrie ref. 7727

Things are constantly evolving, when Mr. Abraham-Louis Breguet was instructed by materials science to invent the tourbillon in order to reduce the shift of the center of gravity of the balance spring. In modern times, watchmaking has changed because of the use of a material in watchmaking.

This material is “silicon” and its density is three times lower than that of steel or brass, which makes the finished watch parts lighter and saves more energy during operation. At the same time, the silicon material does not require lubricating oil, and it does not cause wear due to high-speed operation. These two are exactly the characteristics necessary to make a higher frequency mechanical watch material.

The high speed operation of 72000 VPH (10Hz) will undoubtedly bring more energy loss, although the lower density silicon is used to make the pallet fork and the escape wheel, it guarantees 60 hours of power reserve. In addition to the two barrels, this Breguet Ref.7727 has deliberately done more “weight reduction” processing. For example, the escape wheel and the pallet fork are hollowed out, and the fast-rotating pointer on the dial is not the “blue steel” that looks like it is, but the lighter “silicon” material, at the same time, the hollow design perfectly reduce the weight.

Parts made of silicon to make movements were powerful 20 years ago, but with the popularity of technology, more and more brands are already equipped. For example, Tissot and Mido have already launched related models. Naturally, the use of silicon parts to achieve high-frequency operation at present is not very powerful.

The biggest killer of this Breguet Ref.7727 is to use the invisible magnetic field to realize the “magnetic levitation” of the balance.

On November 9, 2010, Breguet obtained the patent for the Magnetic Pivot balance wheel system. In this invention, Breguet placed the balance wheel between two ruby bearings superimposed with magnets. In normal times, the balance wheel floated in the air by the magnetic field. And there are only two rubies in our common watch, which is almost completely sandwiched between the balance wheels.

Because it is completely suspended, after a strong impact, the powerful magnetic force allows the balance to return to the correct position almost instantaneously, so it is equivalent to an extra shock absorber function. At the same time, it is not necessary to overcome the frictional force during rotation like the conventional balance wheel, thereby greatly improving the stability of the balance wheel, especially in the vertical position.

To be honest, when I first saw Breguet’s introduction to this magnetic suspension, I personally did not believe it, and I felt a little metaphysical. How can the two wheels magnetize the balance wheel stably?

It is estimated that the Breguet brand also thinks that it is difficult to introduce the invisible and intangible magnetic field with the watch friends, so it has specially customized a large model of the magnetic suspension, so that it can let the friends actually touch the perception. When I was full of suspicion, I went to the a Breguet exclusive shop and looked at this model.

It seems that this system is exactly the same as our common ordinary watch, but when the hand is actually touched by the balance wheel (which mimics the external vibration of the watch), the balance wheel does have a large space for movement and will instantly return to the equilibrium position. It’s very interesting.

The Side View of Ref.7727 Balance Wheel

In this side view, we can clearly see the difference in the balance shaft used in the magnetic levitation. Compared to ordinary watches, the Breguet Ref.7727 watch’s shaft tip will be more robust because it is suspended and does not need to reduce the contact area to reduce friction. At the same time, the strong balance shaft tip is not easily broken when subjected to vibration.

Breguet Classique Chronometrie White Gold Manual Wind Watch 7727BB/12/9WU

In addition, there may be questions from the watch lovers, relying on the magnetic field to suspend the balance wheel. If a magnet with a stronger magnetic force is placed next to it, then the balance will not fall off. After testing, such a situation will not happen. Because the balance shaft is controlled by the upper and lower magnets, there are two ruby bearings on the periphery to limit it, so “out of orbit” will never occur.

For Breguet, continuous “innovation” is the historical “tradition”.

Breguet No.05 Pocket Watch

Referring to Breguet, in the perception of the vast majority of watch friends, it will be considered a “traditional” watch brand. Indeed, this company founded in 1775 by Abraham-Louis Breguet has a history of more than 240 years. The functions, structures and styles from Breguet are popular, such as the famous tourbillon, Breguet hands, Breguet words, guilloche patterns dial, phonograph spring, Breguet hairspring, parachute shock absorber, and so on, it is no exaggeration to say that Breguet has influenced the watch industry, and even competitive brands will adopt Breguet’s design philosophy more or less.

And when these elements which born two centuries ago were brought together on the same watch, even if they were produced using modern craftsmanship, their “traditional” perceptions would continue to emerge.

Breguet Tourbillon Pocket Watch

The evaluation of things cannot be separated from the background of the times. Two centuries ago, the development of materials science lags behind. The materials used for hairsprings are almost all made of metal materials, such as carbon steel, gold, and platinum. These hairsprings made of materials of low density will have a center of gravity shift, whether at rest or in motion, and these offsets will affect the movement accuracy of the movement. In the absence of leaps and bounds in material innovation at the time, Mr. Abraham-Louis Breguet thought of using complex mechanical structures to compensate, placing the entire escapement on a 360° rotating platform, subjecting it to gravity. The offsets cancel each other out and eventually reduce the error.

The “traditional” skills we saw today were actually “innovative” behaviors in those years.

For Breguet, the constant “innovation” is the historical “tradition” of the brand.

And one of the watches we are going to talk about today is the “tradition” and “innovation” of Breguet.

Breguet Classique Chronometrie Manual Wind 41mm Rose Gold Wristwatch 7727BR/12/9WU

The first time I saw this Ref.7727 watch from the Breguet Classique series, I thought it was a very ordinary watch, or a timepiece that fits the public’s impression. For example: blue steel Breguet hands + guilloche patterns dial + micro-carved secret + coin pattern case + welded straight ear + independent number + “irregular” functional layout……Anyway, people don’t start getting mush interests in it.

But when I look at it again, I find that this Breguet Ref.7727 is somewhat different. Under the trademark of the guilloche patterns dial, it is marked with “10Hz” in light gray.

Hz is the basic unit of frequency, that is, the number of cycles per second (period/second). The oscillating frequency of a mechanical timepiece is calculated in hours. For example, 18000 VPH means 18,000 vibrations per hour, that is, 2.5 Hz. The swing frequency of our common mechanical clocks is 18000 VPH, 21600 VPH, 25200 VPH, 28800 VPH, 36000 VPH, which translates to 2.5 Hz, 3 Hz, 3.5 Hz, 4 Hz, 5 Hz. Among them, 2.5Hz and below is called “low frequency” and “slow pendulum”, above 5Hz generally can be called “high frequency”.

For watches, under the same conditions, the higher the Hz number, the stronger the accuracy and anti-interference ability of the watch. Therefore, from the mechanical watch to the quartz watch, to the cesium atomic clock, the fundamental mystery of the continuous innovation of the timing instrument is the increase of the Hz frequency.

For technological innovation, the more difficult it is to go up. This Breguet Ref.7727 has been doubled from high frequency 5Hz to 10Hz, and it can be thought of as “different”!

In addition to the low-key light gray “10Hz” lettering, there is a faster-moving pointer next to the second hand on the dial, which shows the difference in a more dynamic form.

As mentioned above, for a watch, the higher the Hz number, the higher the accuracy and anti-interference ability of the watch.

However, the swing frequency of the mechanical clock can not be added all the time. The principle is very simple, the more frequent the movement, the more wear and tear of the parts and the greater the energy consumption. For example, in 1969, Zenith introduced a 36,000 VPH (5 Hz) El Primero calibre. In 1988, Rolex has not produced its own self-winding chronograph movement, so it bought this movement for the Daytona watch. At that time, the first thing Rolex did was to reduce the frequency of the movement from 36000VPH (5Hz) to 28800VPH (4Hz), because the accuracy of the high-frequency operation is not cost-effective compared with the movement and power consumption. And the frequency from 21600VPH (3Hz) to 28800VPH (4Hz) is enough.