Breguet is a bewilderingly significant manufacturer with cultural significance and a profound impact on the entire history of watchmaking encapsulated in its seven-letter name. Pieces such as this Empire stand as often overshadowed evidence of the eternity of its design language. Hailing from the period before Daniel Roth worked with Jacques and Pierre Chaumet to commercialise the brand, this 1973 Empire represents one of the last periods of Breguet's 'vintage' operation and is made even more apparent due to the condition of this example.

In short, it's staggering. Mindblowing original condition. Measuring 35mm in width, the case of this Empire is uber-traditional, with three key Breguet hallmarks present. Firstly, its long lugs. Perfectly straight and emerging from the mid-case, the long lugs have rounded ends and a slight downturn to sit better on the wrist. Considering the mid-sized proportions of this Breguet, these lugs play a crucial role in the wearability and character of the Empire. Secondly, the quintessential coin-edge mid-case contributes hugely to the watch's personality, a recurrence of a sophisticated theme. Finally, a smooth, domed bezel sits around the case, cleverly drawing the eye to the dial due to its narrow width.