A fake Breguet Classique 5287 is a counterfeit copy of a hand-wound gold chronograph. Breguet lists the real watch at about $50,000 USD. Replicas sell for $60 to $600. They copy the dial layout and the case shape. They do not copy the movement, the gold, or the finishing. Selling or importing one in the United States is a federal offense.
What the real 5287 is
The Breguet Classique Chronograph reference 5287 sits in the Classique line. Reported specs: 18k rose or white gold case, about 42.5 mm across, hand-wound calibre 533.2 on a Lemania base, 48-hour power reserve, two subdials, silvered engine-turned dial, sapphire caseback. Breguet puts a secret signature in the dial. Confirm specs with Breguet before you compare a listing, because references and finishes change.
What "first copy" means in a listing
First copy, 1:1, AAA, and Swiss made are seller labels. No factory publishes grades. Price bands follow the label more than the watch:
- $60 to $150: quartz or a low-grade automatic, plated brass case, mineral glass.
- $200 to $400: Chinese automatic or Seagull ST19 chronograph, thicker case, printed dial.
- $500 and up: "super clone" claims, decorated movement, closer dial details.
No tier is authorized by Breguet or Montres Breguet SA.
Where a fake 5287 differs
- Movement: the real watch uses calibre 533.2. Fakes use quartz, a Seagull ST19, or a generic automatic with fake bridges and engraved text.
- Metal: brass with gold plating or gold-filled steel. Plating thins at the lugs and caseback.
- Dial: stamped pattern instead of engine-turned guilloche. Subdial spacing is wrong. The secret signature is missing or printed.
- Case: fakes run thick, 13 mm and more, to hold a cheap movement.
- Crystal: mineral glass or coated glass with weak anti-reflective treatment.
- Chronograph: pushers feel rough. The reset snaps back or fails. The minute counter hand jumps.
What to ask a seller
- Caseback photo of the item in stock, not a catalog image.
- Movement photo with the balance wheel visible.
- Case diameter and thickness in mm.
- Weight in grams.
- Return window and refund terms in writing.
A listing that shows photos of a real 5287 does not show what ships. Ask for a photo with a dated card next to the watch.
Legal status in the US
18 U.S.C. 2320 makes trafficking in counterfeit goods a federal crime. CBP seizes counterfeit watches at ports of entry. Personal use is not a defense at import. The item can be seized and destroyed, and the buyer can face civil penalties. Resale adds a second charge. Breguet will not service a counterfeit, and most independent watchmakers refuse the work because parts do not exist.
Value
A fake at $300 has no resale market. Service costs can pass the purchase price. Real 5287 examples sell on the secondary market with box, papers, and a service record.
Bottom line
The 5287 is a gold chronograph with a hand-wound movement. A fake copies the look. It does not copy the movement, the metal, or the finishing, and it carries legal risk at the border.