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Close encounter with two Breguet Tradition timepieces

In 2005 Breguet has launched its Tradition series, a family of watches inspired by the rich history created by A.-L. Breguet more than two centuries ago. It was a great pleasure to welcome two essential Tradition timepieces for a photo session a few days ago, and of course I would like to share some of the outcome with you.



The Breguet Tradition pieces are in fact history on the wrist. Capturing the open architecture of historic Breguet pocket watches, the Tradition offers rare and exciting views on the functional aspects, based on the same configuration as in the early 19th century.

This configuration illustrates a major part of Breguet‘s heritage by adapting the Souscription pocket watches, designed at the time to be affordable yet precise and reliable alternatives to the complicated marvels crafted by Monsieur Breguet. As in the early 19th century, the movement bears a central barrel and a symmetric gear train.



Other references realised in the modern Tradition watches are the small dials, which have their roots in the historic Tact pocket watches (so- called „watches for the blind“ since you could feel the time on the outer case) and the parachute shock protection.





The first modern Tradition pieces showed the well known grained brass finish, which centuries ago was reached through a special treating with mercury. The two timepieces I show you feature a dark grey surface, today the grain effect is reached by bombardment with tiny ceramic balls.

The movement finish combines tradition with modern aesthetics, creating a very compelling look that can only be fully appreciated when holding the watch in the metal.

The entry into the World of the Breguet Tradition line, which is available in precious metals only, are references 7057 (manual wind with power reserve indication) and 7097 (Seconde Rétrograde Automatique).





Both watches have a diameter of 40mm and show the time on small typical Breguet dials with handmade guilloche. The hands are typical Breguet as well, of course heat blued.

The 7057 is characterized by its black dial, a power reserve indication on both the front and backside, it also is a reasonably slim watch on the wrist.









The 7097 on the other hand has a more lush appeal, the silver dial offers stronger contrast, the sapphire crystal stands considerably higher than the bezel and the backside reveals a spectacular rotor which shall pay tribute to the first automatic winding solutions in Breguet pocket watches and offers the aesthetics of a pendulum.











Both timepieces show impressively how horological heritage can be captured in a modern watch. The aesthetics are different to anything else, as transparent as a skeleton timepiece, but a lot clearer at the same time.





I personally found both the 7057 and 7097 to be fascinating timepieces. I think every watch enthusiast should take a look at those marvels in the metal, they are clearly worth it.

The illustrations in the first part of this report are taken from the Breguet App „Le Quai De L‘Horloge“, a very interesting source for more information on Breguet.

I hope you enjoyed the report and the photos!

Cheers
Henrik

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