To be honest, this is one of the unpopular replica watches that Breguet has launched in recent years. It’s not a traditional mix of conventional features, in a much more contemporary package. All the major design features are there: the fluted case, the hands and the elaborately guillochéd dial, but this replica watch is a world away from their Classic collection, while still being undeniably Breguet. Moreover, this is a key point that doesn’t look too much like anything else in the crowded field of top-end sports chronographs.
You should make that abundantly clear if you look at the back side of this hefty 42.3mm by 13.85mm watch. All 346 parts of this automatic calibre are gorgeous, working together in sophisticated harmony. The rotor is now a skeletonized ship’s wheel affair rather than the wavelike shape of yore. Of course, being Breguet replica, you know that there’s silicon inside, especially the escapement anchor and the balance spring — nice things for a sporty chronographs.
The option of white gold case leans away from sports and more towards luxury (don’t worry though, there’s a titanium option on hand if that’s more your speed). The case design is quite interesting for the brand: the integrated lugs add a sporty, ’70s vibe, which will be the most popular aspect of the design. The wave-like chronograph pushers are special, and yet another factor that tells the Marine story. The case sides are fluted, naturally.
As for me, though, the dial is the most interesting part. Let’s begin with the edge and work in. Sporty Roman numerals are always a bit of work, and here they’ve ameliorated the issue by opting for quite stylized applied numerals inset into a brushed track. The middle of the deep blue dial bears a quite lovely wave motif, which really elevates the package. The hands are a lume-filled take on the iconic Breuget handset, which matches well with the numerals. Things get a little quirkier with the three chrono subdials, which are different sizes and, in the case of the hours and minutes, overlapping. Also, there’s a date at four — a practical, if possibly contentious offering.
All in all, the replica Breguet’s Marine Chronograph is a really funny watch, with loads of personality. Some people might find factors of the design challenging, including the sort of people who like pigeonholing things, but if you’re in the market for a genuine option to the mainstream sports chrono pack, it’s a worthy competitor.