Breguet Classique Chronograph ref. 3237

Details

This Breguet is in excellent condition for its age. The side of the case has some scratches, and the screw for strap attachment has some marks.

The ref. 3237 Chronograph came to Breguet's aid at a time of great need. Even with its illustrious history, the company had become a shadow of its former self and was temporarily shut down in 1970 in order to shift production from France to Switzerland. Working with Daniel Roth (who had previously worked at Audemars Piguet and would go on to create his eponymous brand many years later), the owners of the company wanted to bring Breguet back to its roots, even while it was physically leaving its country of origin.

The 3237 was one of the first watches released after the brand's revival. It combined a well-finished yet reliable Lemania 2310 movement with a dial design which was undeniably reminiscent of the company's early pocket watches. The thermally blued Breguet hands and guilloche dial further contributed to the classic look.

BREGUET

Breguet takes the pride of place as the oldest watchmaking company still in existence. Founded Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1775, the company quickly became famous for providing Europe's monarchy and aristocracy with fine timepieces.

More than just a watchmaker, Breguet was also a highly accomplished micromechanical engineer. Even Isambard Kingdom Brunel studied under his tutelage in Paris as a young man.

Amongst his other accomplishments, Breguet invented the world's first tourbillon. This highly complex mechanism was design to counter the gravitational pull on a pocket watch's movement, and allowed for a notable increase in accuracy.

Today, the brand that bears his name continues to create fine mechanical watches. Among the company's more recent timepieces include the Type XX, used by the French military during the 20th Century, as well as the Classique and Marine, which combine the trademark Breguet aesthetic (Breguet hands, guilloched dials and Breguet numerals) with modern watchmaking designs and techniques.