Minute repeating timepieces are among the crown jewels of horology. Chiming time through a complex mechanism involving hammers and a gong, it is perhaps the marriage between technical prowess and the romanticism of the chime that makes a minute repeater truly something special. While the characteristics of the chime may vary, manufacturers strive to produce the most elegant chime has been a formidable task that has lasted centuries since its introduction in 1687 by Daniel Quare.

Packed with an important heritage and revolutionary role in scoping the watch industry, Breguet is arguably one of the most important brands of all time. Having developed and patented some of the core components of a timepiece, the Swiss manufacturer has produced some of the finest timepieces since its early beginnings in the 18th century. Having invented the “hammer & gong” mechanism for minute repeating timepieces, almost all minute repeating timepieces produced since were utilizing the feature.

The present Breguet Classique ref. 3877 minute repeating wristwatch is the perfect specimen of a Breguet timepiece. Elegant, subtle and technically sound with its signature guilloche dial combined with silver brushed chapter rings and its blued hands, the yellow gold case is decorated with the firm’s iconic coin-edged caseband. Powering the timepiece is the cal. 567 utilizing a Lemania based cal. 399 with a traditional movement architecture seen in minute repeating pocket watches from the late 19th century.

The present example is complete with its full set of accessories and is offered in excellent overall condition with a harmonic chime.