In a world preview, Breguet unveils its pre-Basel highlight for 2016, a Classique timepiece adorned with one of the most poetic complications in watchmaking: the moon phase. The Classique Phase de Lune Dame 9088 takes its place among the brand’s timeless women’s watches. It both captures the quintessential Breguet style and perpetuates the House tradition of devoting its mastery of watchmaking to women.

With its Classique Phase de Lune Dame 9088, Breguet enhances its collection of timepieces for women with a watch of timeless elegance. Its pure lines faithfully reproduce the hallmarks that have ensured the success of the House for over 240 years. Both discreet and remarkable, this white-gold watch, measuring 30mm in diameter, features exquisitely fluted sides and a dial in white “grand feu” enamel. The latter is adorned with Arabic numerals, also known as ‘“Breguet numerals” in reference to the founder of the House, who designed them in 1783. The minutes track, made up of tiny stars, together with stylised fleurs-de-lys for the five-minute fractions are another homage to the Breguet watchmaking tradition. The blued-steel hours and minutes hands of this Classique Phase de Lune Dame are inspired by the famous open-tipped Breguet hands also invented in 1783. Here, they have been redesigned and complement the enamel dial perfectly. The display of information is completed by a small-seconds hand and moon-phase aperture at 6 o’clock. The elegance of this timepiece is enhanced by a series of sublimely delicate brilliant-cut diamonds that grace the bezel and lugs. To ensure its female clientele are spoilt for choice, Breguet also offers this Classique Phase de Lune Dame in a rose-gold version, and a non-gem-set version. In addition, the House has also produced a model featuring natural mother-of-pearl that has been engine-turned by hand, complete with Breguet hands and Roman numerals, in white or rose gold, either gem-set or non-gem-set. The brand has thus added a total of eight models to its Classique collection and women’s range.

On a more technical note, the Classique Phase de Lune Dame houses the Breguet 537L calibre, a self-winding mechanical movement equipped with a silicon escapement and spiral. As is customary, Breguet once again devotes its technical developments and watchmaking expertise to women. Visible through a sapphire crystal case back, the movement of this timepiece reveals a range of finishes that reflect the highest Haute Horlogerie tradition. ‘Côtes de Genève’ decorative ribbing graces the bridges, while the gold oscillating weight is adorned with ‘barley grain’ engine-turning.