ED209
[Purist]
7307
Another Breguet La Tradition
On a recent business trip to New York, I was having dinner with a client and we started talking about watches. I've known him for over 15 years and we've become close friends. He was wearing a Rolex Datejust that he received from his parents many years ago as a gift when he earned his MBA. It's got a lot of dents and dings but has been running accurately even though he has never gotten it serviced. But now he is expecting his first child and wanted to celebrate the occasion by picking up a new watch for himself with the intent on passing it down to his son. He was considering several different brands, but remembered the 'cool see-thru watch' that I had worn several years ago during another meeting of ours. I was sure that he was talking about the Breguet La Tradition, so I pulled out my iphone and showed him a few pictures. He confirmed that it was exactly what he was thinking and was curious to know more about the Breguet.
I had explained to him about the historical background of Breguet and for the La Tradition how the design is inspired by the Souscription watch, and how it highlights the Breguet parachute that protects the balance staff from shocks. He remembered seeing my La Tradition balance wheel oscillating and was intrigued by being able to see the mechanical movement. So after we finished up dinner, we decided to schedule another 'meeting' the next day to visit a few watch stores.
So the next day we met up in the early afternoon and stopped by the Breguet Boutique and one of the AD's in the Manhattan area to do some window shopping. It was a fun experience for my friend since it was a new world of information and lots of exciting watches to handle. Of course there was the initial sticker shock of some of the complicated watches like the tourbillions and perpetual calendars, but he was also surprised to see so many variations of the La Tradition. I mentioned to him that he should take his time to look at the different versions, sizes, and materials.
The first watch that was recommended was the Breguet La Tradition 7067BR. This is a 40mm watch with a 18k rose gold case. What was attractive about this watch was the second time zone and day night indicator. At first my friend liked having the subdials and other functions but after trying it on his wrist he felt that it was almost too much going on the dial and was too busy. So he tried on the La Tradition 7057BB in white gold 40mm case. He liked this much better with the simpler movement on the dial side. My friend is very perceptive, and immediately noticed the details on the power reserve. He didn't like how the indicator at the 11 o'clock position encroached into the hour and minute subdial at 12 o'clock. He felt that it lost some of it's symmetry and I agreed. And up next was the original sized La Tradition 7027. The sales rep brought out the white gold version with anthracite gray and blackened dial, along with the standard white gold version. The gray dial was rejected by my friend because he said that the classic style of the watch didn't match up with the darker modern colors.
So we moved onto the regular white gold and yellow gold. Personally I'm a huge fan of the yellow gold version (which has a tint to it that makes it closer to rose gold) but I didn't want to influence my client's decision. So after putting both watches on and off several times, he decided he liked the yellow gold version better. Even at 37mm in diameter, he thought that it was much larger and I explained that visually it does look larger because the sapphire crystal goes out the outer edge of the case and it has a thinner bezel.
After a few moments (and a few quick texts with pics of the watch to his wife LOL), my friend decided to purchase the 7027 in yellow gold. He said it was perfect and a really classy looking watch with an interesting movement and history.
Fast forward a few weeks to today and I received an email from my friend in NY. He mentioned that he is still in love with his La Tradition, and has been visiting PuristSPro (YAY!
) often to learn more about other
brands. His wife also enjoys looking at the Breguet and was
considering the Reine de Naples. This is a great start and I'm
hoping he and his family will enjoy their developing watch
collection.So has any fellow PuristS helped out a friend with a new watch to celebrate a special occasion? Is there any special advice that you like to give to friends that are new to high end watches?
Regards,
ED-209
This message has been edited by ED209 on 2014-07-01 13:13:58
Another Breguet La Tradition
On a recent business trip to New York, I was having dinner with a client and we started talking about watches. I've known him for over 15 years and we've become close friends. He was wearing a Rolex Datejust that he received from his parents many years ag...
Great watch. Great shots.
I see this model pop up occasionally. It's really stunning and your photos capture the many details. Thank you.
Thanks for the compliments
Hi ingmar, thanks for the compliments. Which version of the La Tradition do you like most? Regards, ED-209
You did well, my friend. Great advice.
Definitely my favourite Breguet from the current collection. As for knowing if we ever helped a friend, WIS or not, in the Watch decision, well, I would answer that this is also one of the many goals of this forum! :) Best, Ed. Nicolas.
Great choice, perfect advice... Superb timepiece, needless to say.. :)
- as per the last Q, about another Purist and friendly helping.. Yes, I've been helped, advised but also encouraged & stimulated by very good friends, here.. - For some pieces, they not only have been kind advisers but "knowledgeable witnesses " of the sl...
Thanks for sharing your thoughts
Thank hs, that's what I really like about our PuristSPro community, lots of help and sharing of great information. Thanks for reading this post. Regards, ED-209
I think of the advice
Hi Nicolas, I'm sure there's many PuristS who have received excellent advice from you on JLC and other brands :) . It's rewarding to hear about how much my friend is enjoying his watch and to share in spreading the passion for our timepieces. Regards, ED-...
I liked the idea of several versions ...
in the beginning, but in the long run I prefer the original/"real" one in YG. Your client is lucky to have such a good friend, which is ready to help but not manipulating. Congrats to your client/friend! Maybe he is looking right now and even better he wi...
I hope so too
Encouraging new members to join in and participate in the fun. And I'm happy to hear that his wife is building an interest in watches too :) Regards, ED-209
Wonderful story
Sharing the passion of this hobby with others is IMO what ThePurists is all about. Your client is lucky to have a friend such as you. Cheers, John
Thanks John!
You're right, it's sharing of the passion that makes our community such a great experience. Thanks for reading this post. Regards, ED-209
Always liked this one...
The La Tradition has always been a cool piece. Thanks for the pics! -MW
This is my fav Breguet La Tradition
Nice size, superb yellow gold color true to the original yellow gold with a very warm rose gold look. Great pics from you! Help us congratulate your friend and I hope he will join us on PuristSPro too! Cheers Robin
THE La Tradition to own..
IMHO! Congrats to your friend. I have found it particularly joyful to help someone else find the watch of their dreams. Sounds like you did, too. Best, CaliforniaJed ...
Great article Ed.
I have a friend who jumped into a Cartier and Rolex as soon as he began work with a high end company. Nice brands of course, but he got them for their names. Now he has become increasingly interested in my "lesser known" brand watches (even my Carl F. Buc...
That's what friends are for :)
Cool, very nice of you to help educate your friend and share an interest and passion in watches. Regards, ED-209