Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated

Breguet Classique 7137 Power Reserve Moonphase (18k yellow gold) vs Rolex Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial)

Breguet's dress watch meets Rolex's timepiece

Quick Verdict

The Breguet Classique 7137 Power Reserve Moonphase (18k yellow gold) ($25,000+) and Rolex Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) ($25,000+) are closely matched timepieces at similar price points. The Classique 7137 Power Reserve Moonphase (18k yellow gold) emphasizes Breguet 502.3 QSE1, automatic, silicon escapement engineering while the Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) focuses on Swiss Made craftsmanship.

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Breguet Classique 7137 Power Reserve Moonphase (18k yellow gold)

Breguet

Classique 7137 Power Reserve Moonphase (18k yellow gold)

$25,000+

Rolex Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial)

Rolex

Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial)

$25,000+

Specifications Compared

FeatureBreguet Classique 7137 Power Reserve Moonphase (18k yellow gold)Rolex Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial)
Price$25,000+$25,000+
Case Size39mm36mm
MovementAutomatic, Breguet Calibre 502.3 QSE1 (ultra-thin, off-centre rotor)Automatic, Rolex Calibre 3155
Caliber TypeBreguet 502.3 QSE1, automatic, silicon escapementRolex 3155, in-house automatic, chronometer
Power ReserveAbout 45 hours, with indicatorAbout 48 hours
Water Resistance30m (3 ATM)100m (10 ATM)
CrystalSapphire Crystal, sapphire casebackSapphire Crystal, Cyclops
Case Material18k yellow gold, fluted caseband18k yellow gold
OriginSwiss MadeSwiss Made

Category-by-Category Analysis

🎨

Design & Aesthetics

Edge: Draw

Breguet's design language vs Rolex's approach

The Breguet Classique 7137 Power Reserve Moonphase (18k yellow gold) features a 18k yellow gold, fluted caseband case at 39mm with Sapphire Crystal, sapphire caseback protection. The Rolex Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) offers 18k yellow gold construction at 36mm with Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.

⚙️

Movement & Performance

Edge: Rolex

Automatic, Breguet Calibre 502.3 QSE1 (ultra-thin, off-centre rotor) vs Automatic, Rolex Calibre 3155

The Classique 7137 Power Reserve Moonphase (18k yellow gold) runs the Automatic, Breguet Calibre 502.3 QSE1 (ultra-thin, off-centre rotor) (Breguet 502.3 QSE1, automatic, silicon escapement, About 45 hours, with indicator power reserve) at standard frequency. The Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) uses the Automatic, Rolex Calibre 3155 (Rolex 3155, in-house automatic, chronometer, About 48 hours reserve) at standard. The Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) offers a longer power reserve.

📏

Wearability & Fit

Edge: Rolex

39mm vs 36mm — different wrist presence

At 39mm, the Classique 7137 Power Reserve Moonphase (18k yellow gold) has a bolder wrist presence compared to the Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) at 36mm. Water resistance differs: 30m (3 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM).

💰

Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Draw

Same tier — different value propositions

The Breguet Classique 7137 Power Reserve Moonphase (18k yellow gold) sits at $25,000+ and the Rolex Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) at $25,000+. On the specs that outlast any price: the Classique 7137 Power Reserve Moonphase (18k yellow gold) uses Sapphire Crystal, sapphire caseback with About 45 hours, with indicator, against Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops and About 48 hours on the Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial). Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

💧

Water Resistance

Edge: Rolex

30m (3 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM)

The Classique 7137 Power Reserve Moonphase (18k yellow gold) is rated to 30m (3 ATM) while the Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) handles 100m (10 ATM). The Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) offers superior water resistance.

Our Verdict

Breguet

Classique 7137 Power Reserve Moonphase (18k yellow gold)

Choose the Breguet Classique 7137 Power Reserve Moonphase (18k yellow gold) if you prioritize Breguet 502.3 QSE1, automatic, silicon escapement engineering, Swiss Made craftsmanship, and 30m (3 ATM) water resistance. At $25,000+, it delivers Automatic, Breguet Calibre 502.3 QSE1 (ultra-thin, off-centre rotor) with About 45 hours, with indicator power reserve.

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Rolex

Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial)

Choose the Rolex Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) if you value Rolex 3155, in-house automatic, chronometer technology, Swiss Made heritage, and 36mm proportions. At $25,000+, the Automatic, Rolex Calibre 3155 with About 48 hours power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

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The Bottom Line

The Breguet Classique 7137 Power Reserve Moonphase (18k yellow gold) and Rolex Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Breguet bringing Swiss Made tradition while Rolex delivers Swiss Made engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

For water, the Rolex Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) is rated 100 m against 30 m, which is the difference between swimming and diving on one side and splashes on the other. Neither is better at everything; the spec table above shows movement, case size, water resistance and crystal side by side so you can weigh what matters to you. We do not test units, so this is the makers' data, not a bench result.
Both are priced similarly, making this a question of preference rather than value. The Classique 7137 Power Reserve Moonphase (18k yellow gold) emphasizes Breguet 502.3 QSE1, automatic, silicon escapement technology while the Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) prioritizes Rolex 3155, in-house automatic, chronometer precision.
Both are suitable for daily wear. The Classique 7137 Power Reserve Moonphase (18k yellow gold) at 39mm with 30m (3 ATM) water resistance handles everyday situations. The Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) at 36mm with 100m (10 ATM) is similarly capable. The Classique 7137 Power Reserve Moonphase (18k yellow gold) uses Sapphire Crystal, sapphire caseback while the Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) uses Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops.

How This Page Was Made

Our comparisons are generated from a hand-maintained specification database and reviewed under our editorial standards. We use AI tools to assemble pages from that data. We don’t invent specs: every number traces back to the database, and when we correct an entry, the fix is applied site-wide. As an Amazon Associate, The Horologist earns from qualifying purchases.