The minute repeater is one of the most remarkable complications in watchmaking history - often described as a ‘mechanical masterpiece’ - and was a subject that Swiss watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet developed a deep passion for, dedicating years to studying and improving the mechanism. In fact, it was as early as 1783 that he created the first repeating watches that struck a spring blade as opposed to the bell-type going used until then. Initially straight and placed across the back plate, these blades were later coiled around the movement, which helped to considerably reduce the thickness of chiming watches, while emitting clearer, richer sounds.
Beyond the precision and techniques used to create the movement and the ideal acoustics, exceptional dexterity is required to fit all the components into a modestly-sized case, which is why it takes over a month, and vast amounts of skill, experience and artistry to produce, one minute repeater.
Almost 250 years later, the House of Breguet has created a new 42mm Breguet Classique 7637 Répétition Minutes, now available in 18 carat rose gold. The watch houses Calibre 567.2, and, when turned over, the wearer can admire the whole hand-chased mechanical hand-wound movement through the sapphire crystal caseback. The dial features a black grand feu enamel with Arabic numerals, with the timepiece fitted with a black alligator strap secured by a gold triple-blade folding clasp.
But what’s truly ingenious about this particular piece is the positioning of the gongs, gong-holders and hammers. The gongs are crafted from gold to produce a harmonious sound quality and are fixed to the case middle instead of the plate, which enables them to vibrate directly and transmit sound more effectively. A timepiece that is, indeed, music to our ears.