Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XXI

7 7 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I I n the rarefied world of haute horlogerie, much attention is being paid to feminine timepieces in 2016. The fairer sex is being spoiled with some extraordinarily elegant watches that combine mechanical mastery and composed aesthetic grace. Not least of these comes a remarkable pre-Basel highlight fromBreguet – the Classique Phase de Lune Dame 9088. The Maison has opted for a stunning moonphase complication, displayed with restraint at 6 o’clock. The white grand feu enamel dial is a luminous white and under close inspection it reveals some beguiling little details. The minute track around the circumference of the watch is comprised of tiny stars, which are punctuated every five minutes with an ornate and stylised fleurs-de-lys design. The hours are marked with Breguet numerals, which are essentially Arabic numerals but with a subtle leaning to the right and often placed over white enamel dial plates. This was a particular stylistic code of founder Abraham-Louis Breguet who designed them in 1783. Another key Breguet characteristic is referenced in the famous Breguet style hands, also invented in 1783, albeit with a gentle twist in that the tips are left open. Usually Breguet hands feature sharp closed points and open circle motifs below. The unmistakable blue of the heat-treated steel remains of course. The beauty of the watch is matched by its mechanical prowess and the movement is the Breguet 537L calibre, which has been carefully decorated to the highest standards, including Côtes de Genève decorative ribbing on the bridges and barley grain engine- turning on the gold oscillating weight. This means the wearer can admire these achievements through the sapphire case back. Breguet may embrace the finest elements of the 240-year history, but it also appreciates contemporary watchmaking and the relentless march towards the future. Accordingly, new silicon technology is deployed here and the Calibre 537L has a lever escapement in silicon and a silicon spiral. The self-winding mechanical movement beats at 21,600vph and has a power reserve of 45 hours. The watch is housed in a 30mm white gold case that is available with or without brilliant-cut diamonds andmounted on a black leather strap withmatching gold buckle. Breguet will also offer this Classique Phase de Lune Dame in a rose-gold version, again with or without diamonds. There will a total of eight new models in the classique collection, including a natural mother-of-pearl edition that has been engine-turned by hand, offered in white or rose gold and either gem-set or non-gem-set. Ladies who admire Breguet watches will certainly be spoiled for choice. The main charm of this lovely ladies’ watch, regardless of which version, is simply that it is so quintessentially Breguet. Breguet Cl a s s ique Pha se de Lune Dame 9088