Spent some time with a major collector these were some of his thoughts:
-Top Four Brands based on heritage/brand/value/quality of craftsmanship and movement: Patek, Breguet, A. Lange & Sohne, and Vacheron
Breguet holds more patents in watchmaking than every single other brand added together
Every watch today contains a part supplied by Breguet with the exception of the current lineup from A. Lange & Sohne
Napoleon, Marie Antoinette, Winston Churchill, Etore Bugatti to name a few of Breguets best customers
The Classique models are timeless, etchings are absolutely stunning in detail and hand done. I too fell in love with the history and detail of the company and love the Classique line, found them to be absolutely stunning. I'm placing an order for a Classque Alarm "Le Reveil du Tsar" in rose gold shortly.
Most importantly, buy what speaks to you, but Breguet is unequivocally one of the very finest timepieces you can own.