MINUTE REPEATER

Today still, the minute repeater ranks supreme among horological complications. Universally admired, its intricate construction has remained the preserve of a few master watchmakers with the skill and patience to fit and adjust its delicate parts. In 2008, Breguet came out with a new way of designing these technological marvels, fitting them with an entirely re-engineered movement incorporating new materials and featuring innovative positions for the gongs, gong rests and hammers. This patented technique is now in service on Breguet minute repeater no. 7639. Its large 44.5 mm gold case houses a minute repeater movement and adds the prestige of baguette-cut diamonds. Ideal for conveying sound vibrations, diamond’s hardness and pureness further improve the watch’s sonority by reducing vibration loss to a minimum. Breguet has thus decided to introduce a fully diamond-set design whose setting is as perfect as the acoustic performance of its minute repeater. Watch 7639 emits a spectacularly pure sound that is certain to delight any connoisseur of ringing or chiming Grande Horlogerie. Including its bracelet attachments, crown and dial, the case is entirely set with diamonds that turn the watch into a fabulous gem. The crystal-clear sound had never been heard before in any minute repeater. The hand-wound movement visible through the clear sapphire case back has been entirely engraved by hand in a unique musical decoration.

SPECIFICATIONS OF THE WATCH - REF. 7639BB/6D/9XV DD0D

Case: round in 18K white gold fully set with baguette-cut diamonds. Rounded horns welded to the case, screw pins securing the strap. Setting: bezel, lugs, caseband, repeating-slide and crown set with 178 baguette-cut diamonds totalizing approx. 11.18 carats. Crown also set with one diamond (approx. 0.46 cts). Diameter 44.5 mm. Sapphire-crystal caseback.

Dial: in 18K gold, entirely paved with 392 princess-cut diamonds set in an invisible way with up side down gemstones. Individually numbered and signed BREGUET. Open-tipped BREGUET hands in blued steel.
Movement: hand-wound, with minute repeater, entirely engraved by hand with musical decoration. Numbered and signed BREGUET. 12 ½ lines. 31 jewels. Cal. 567/2. 40-hour power-reserve. Straight-line lever escapement. 2.5Hz balance-wheel with load screws. BREGUET overcoil. Adjusted in 5 positions.
Folding clasp in white gold set with 42 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 0.89 cts).