While traveling, I can’t help but pull out my phone and search for watch stores in the area. Don’t judge me! I’m sure many of you do the same. If so, you’re in good company. If not, you’ll get there eventually.
On one of these hunts, I found a store in Paris with excellent reviews — Antoine de Macedo, if you want to visit. I made my way to that part of the city — a quiet, charming area away from the usual tourist crowds. I was immediately impressed by the number of high-quality watches and the sheer variety of brands and complications on display. After a guided tour of how the store was organized — including a look at the owner’s impressive personal Jaeger‑LeCoultre Atmos collection — I was officially on the hunt.
Never had I seen so many Breguets for sale — clearly a store favorite. One particular piece caught my eye right away: the Breguet 5707BB, a dual-time alarm watch often referred to as the Réveil du Tsar.
The alarm complication is especially unique in that it can be set with precision, using a separate subdial with both hour and minute hands. Most alarm watches only offer an hour hand, making it more of a guess as to when the alarm will go off. This one also features a satisfying on/off indicator at 12 o’clock, shaped like a musical note.
In addition to the alarm, it includes a GMT function for tracking a second time zone — perfect for travel. The combination of complications makes it, in my opinion, the ultimate travel watch. It quickly jumped from “never heard of it” to top three on my list of watches to acquire next.
It's not perfect. I wish the diameter was a little bit smaller and that the seconds hand was a retrograde to not cover up the the alarm subdial. I'm nitpicking.
What do you think? Do you like the classic aesthetic of the Breguet? Do you find the combination of complications compelling? Let me know in the comments below!
