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  1. Alex_TA Apr 1, 2017

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    Thinking about this watch
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    Can you tell me about the reliability and accuracy of Breguet's Lemania chronograph movements?
     
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  2. tyrantlizardrex Apr 1, 2017

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    Can you share with us your concerns, or issues that your research has thrown up, that leads you to ask?
     
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  3. JimInOz Melbourne Australia Apr 1, 2017

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    No idea of the movement issues (if there are any), but that is one beautiful watch!
     
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  4. Alex_TA Apr 1, 2017

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    No concerns really but when I'm going to throw out this kind of money I'd like to hear other Breguet owners [emoji848]
     
    Edited Apr 1, 2017
  5. tyrantlizardrex Apr 1, 2017

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    Understood... that's going to be a small group I think... :thumbsup:

    Go buy one so the rest of us can live vicariously though you. :cool:
     
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  6. BenjaminT Apr 1, 2017

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    The Facts:
    Breguet 584 movement is based on Breguet 582 (chrono minutes back to center), which is based on Ebel 137 (Flyback added) which is based on a pretty well known caliber here Lemania 1340 aka Omega 1040 (chrono seconds moved from center to 3 o'clock, changes to winding mechanism).
    Here is a good read:
    http://www.donindiano.net/watches/breguet/type_xx/

    So nothing really new there. All in all pretty well reputed calibers.
    Mine is running pretty unobtrusive, it came regulated to ~+2.5, which is OK for me. I have it for about one year now.
    Be aware that it does not have stop seconds and that winding is engaged when changing the date.

    Before buying new I looked at a used one which obviously had issues with the manual winding mechanism. One could feel that one tooth was severly worn because one felt a click at every rotation of the crown. But I think that was due to misbehavior of the previous owner.
     
  7. BenjaminT Apr 1, 2017

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    My opinion:
    The 381x family are gorgeous watches. For me they are dress watches inspired by the vintage type XXs. So pretty much the opposite of a faithful reproduction like the new speedy '57.
    They have very detailed dials which are a joy to look at in detail but the legibility is not the best.
    Beeing a modern dress watch with loose heritage I think the face of 3810 with the facets and bright white lume fits better to this type of watch than the vintage lume 3817.
    That's why I have gone for the 3810. I miss the display case back though.

    Some Breguet porn, specially for you, OP:
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  8. Alex_TA Apr 1, 2017

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    Thank you for the detailed description [emoji106]

    Could you please clarify what implications has engagement during the date change?

    What about legibility in different light color conditions? I ask it because AFAIK Breguet does not use AR coating on its crystals.

    And the last, is it comfortable on the wrist?
     
    Edited Apr 1, 2017
  9. jcs2000 Apr 1, 2017

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    Breguet is a great brand.
    What u are mainly paying for is the exceptional finishing details as the above photos illustrate.
    I have a Marine 5823 chronograph which is based on the Lemania 1372.
    Did have a service issue where after 9 months the watch would not hold its power reserve even after a full wind.
    I would wear the watch during the day and after waking up the watch would have stopped overnight.

    Was under warranty and emailed the closest Boutique and they sent me a UPS over night air shipping label to send them the watch. The watch then went to Switzerland for repair. Still waiting for it to be fixed. Takes about 60-90 days which is not entirely unreasonable.

    The bottom line is that irrespective of the price sometimes things go wrong.
    Even my Lange watch needed service after 14 months.
    The larger question is whether there is a mechanism to have a watch serviced correctly and relatively painlessly especially when the retail footprint of the brand is small. Although Breguet is very much a niche brand, have no worries. U likely will not encounter any problems and if there is an issue your watch can be serviced professionally.
     
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  10. BenjaminT Apr 1, 2017

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    First, it feels rather uncommon. However the Breguet feels much more classy than the Omega 1040 does.
    Second, althogh it should have a friction clutch, it might be sensible not to set the date after it has been fully wound. As I said before, the one example I found used had problems with the manual winding train. This is not significant from a statistical point of view but I have the feeling that it could be related to this specialty. Maybe it's just not as foolproof as the average ETA movement is.
    Personally I see the lack of outer AR not being the issue with legibility.
    Have a look on my second photo above and look for the chrono seconds hand.
    Have a look on my third photo above and look for the running seconds and the chrono hours.
    That says pretty much everything.
    It's always the same with rhodium plated hands. They have the gift to disappear in certain lighting conditions.
    Due to the large luminous patches regular time is not an issue.

    Included some pictures with more real world reflections below in case you have doubts about the missing outer AR.
    I actually prefer not having this because it pretty much voids the benefit of sapphire glasses scratch resistance.
    Of course it's very comfortable on my wrist, because I would't have bought it otherwise. So, you really should try this out yourself, nobody else can judge!
    However I can give some general remarks towards the fit: It doesn't necessarily wear slim but it fits slim, meaning, people who find 42mm borderline and 43mm to big will be able to wear this watch w/o problems.
    Thanks to the downward curved lugs. I don't know if this has implications for people w/ bigger wrists.
    The integrated leather strap is very comfortable. With the deployant clasp and the watch it forms a nearly perfect round armring. I love it, especially given the fact that it turned me off aesthetically in the beginning.

    I have attached some profile wristshots. My wrist is rather small. For example I cannot wear the 42mm ElPrimeros because it looks boyish. Speedy is borderline.
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  11. Alex_TA Apr 1, 2017

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    Many thanks, Benjamin.

    All in all, can this watch be used casually without risk of damaging?
     
  12. BenjaminT Apr 1, 2017

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    Depends on how fussy you are.
    The brushed bezel is not very forgiving. But can be refinished w/o exchange.
    Replacing the original strap is said to be a costly pleasure. I can't tell you how much. I haven't asked. Maybe I'd rather not know.

    So no, I don't use it as beater and I also try to not soak the strap with any liquids whatsoever. I use it more as office watch.
     
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  13. Archer Omega Qualified Watchmaker Apr 1, 2017

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    I doubt it's related. No reason not to set the date when fully wound.

    Cheers, Al
     
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  14. marco Dec 6, 2017

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    I have a Breguet 3237 and have found it to be reliable and accurate. The movement finishing is just gorgeous and very closely related to the "old " 321. As previously mentioned the bezel is susceptible to damage and the coin edge case needs careful wearing ( a new case is $6500 Aud). Dial is busy but very attractive.
    All in all a very "dressy tasteful chrono".
    To save the strap , I put a cheap pvd gold ss vintage mesh on . Presents well. 20170907_073951.jpg 20170518_093212.jpg
     
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  15. marco Dec 6, 2017

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    Sorry wrong movent pic !
    Correct one now .
     
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  16. JimInOz Melbourne Australia Dec 6, 2017

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    Yes, @marco does marriage watches with style, makes Mr W. Andolec look like a cheapskate.

    :D
     
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  17. Matt87 Jan 10, 2018

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    Lovely watch, but with that kind of money you have a plenty of choice (some of them better choice IMHO)!
     
  18. Matt87 Jan 10, 2018

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    Lovely Movement, in my opinion, it is better than the Type XXI movement.
     
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