Breguet Classique Dragon 7145

Dial adorned with artistic crafts

The full range of skills cultivated by Breguet's craftspeople is visible in this new creation. Firstly, the crimson red dial featuring different shades between the chapter ring and the centre is produced using a technique rarely exercised today: Grand Feu enamelling. This age-old skill requires great virtuosity to master the vast palette of colours and create subtle and elegant nuances. To obtain this texture, the artisan applies a mixture of silica and oxides to the watch face. The dial is then fired several times in a very high-temperature kiln, where the enamel ignites and melts in contact with the heat. This is a very delicate operation, during which the dial could break at any time.

The dragon standing proudly on the dial is an entirely hand-engraved rose gold applique. The fantasy creature with its majestic posture keeps a constantly watchful eye on its pearl, made of natural white mother-of-pearl. The Roman numerals, minutes track and clouds are in a golden powder-pink hue. The chapter ring is punctuated by 12 discreet round gold hour-markers. Finally, the time is indicated by Breguet's signature open-tipped hands.

A highly refined mechanism

Calibre 502.3 beats inside a 40 mm-diameter rose gold case which is one of Breguet’s thinnest at just 2.40 mm thick. The 162 components of this self-winding movement endow the timepiece with a 45- hour power reserve. It is equipped with a balance-spring and pallet-lever in silicon. The latter material has many properties: in addition to being resistant to corrosion and wear, it is insensitive to the influence of magnetic fields and enhances the precision of the timepiece. The gold oscillating weight that is hand- guilloché with a circular barleycorn motif can be admired through the sapphire crystal caseback.