Keeping with tradition: Breguet Tradition 7038 and 7097

Two special boutique-only timepieces showcase Breguet's exceptional watchmaking heritage

Watches & Jewellery 23 Jul 2020

Breguet Tradition Automatique Seconde Rétrograde 7097

With the Tradition 7038 and the Tradition Automatique Seconde Rétrograde 7097, Breguet has introduced two exclusive boutique-only watches that pay a fitting tribute to its centuries-old history of innovative watchmaking.

The former draws its inspiration from an aesthetic introduced by the company’s founder Abraham-Louis Breguet in the late 18th century, distinguished by its off-centre dial, here presented in beautiful Tahitian mother of pearl. The watchmaker’s technical expertise comes through in the openworked dial; revealed between 4 and 5 o’clock is the balance wheel and hairspring, sitting under a bridge protected by a pare-chute anti-shock mechanism invented by Breguet in 1790, while the centre wheel and bridge lies between 7 and 8 o’clock, creating a perfect symmetry to the dial.

At its heart is the golden central barrel, intricately decorated with a rosette motif, providing a striking contrast to the deep brown dial and bold orange strap. This pattern is also found on the clasp of a complementary clutch bag, handcrafted from matching grained calfskin leather.

Breguet Tradition 7038

The Tradition Automatique Seconde Rétrograde 7097 similarly takes inspiration from the genius of Abraham-Louis Breguet, taking cues from his one-hand pocket watches from 1796. The beauty of the movement shines through by revealing components normally hidden beneath the movement, each of which has been decorated to the highest standards expected of the watchmaker. In a nod to its past, the gold winding rotor takes its shape from historical movements, while the blue dial at 12 o’clock is finely adorned with a classic clous de Paris guilloche pattern.

A testament to Breguet’s pioneering spirit, the movement also features the latest advanced watchmaking technology, fitted with an inverted in-line lever escapement with silicon pallets and a silicon Breguet overcoil balance spring, both offering exceptional precision and reliability.

Tradition 7038, £32,900; Tradition 7097, £29,900; breguet.com