Breguet - Tradition Automatique Seconde Retrograde 7097
In 2005, Breguet launched its iconic Tradition collection with the 7027 model, the first timepiece to showcase the mechanisms of the movement on top of the baseplate. This collection has since filled out and this year welcomes a new model: the Tradition Automatique Seconde Retrograde 7097.
The Tradition 7097 pays further tribute to the mechanisms of the "subscription" and tact watches by revealing the bridges, wheels, escapement, barrel and other components of the movement, which are usually hidden beneath the baseplate. Trim embellishments enhance the visual balance displayed by the symmetrical bridges. The bridges and baseplate are peened according to a decorative technique that requires rare skill and faultless execution to achieve a regular and uniform finish. The gold winding rotor borrows its style from the movements of the period while a conventional engine-turned hobnail pattern, done by hand, highlights a dial in silvered gold offset at 12 o'clock. This type of dial can be found on many of the tact watches that Abraham-Louis Breguet made from 1799 onwards.
The new model gets its name from the retrograde seconds hand at 10 o'clock, which supplements the hours and minutes shown by Breguet-style open-tipped hands in blued steel. Breguet's watchmakers show off the complication with the help of a circular-brushed semi-circle that also makes the other indications easy to read. To maintain the symmetry, the pare-chute is located at 4 o'clock. This Breguet invention, which protects the balance staff from shocks, can be identified at a glance as the emblematic feature of the Tradition collection. It is the forbear of all the shock-protection devices in use today, including the Incabloc system.
Nor does the new reference 7097 lag behind when it comes to the latest technology. Its 40mm case houses a movement with an inverted in-line lever escapement with silicon pallets and a silicon Breguet overcoil balance spring that ensure stability of rate. Available in white gold (ref.7097BB/G1/9WU) and pink gold (ref.7097BR/G1/9WU), the Tradition Automatique Seconde Retrograde 7097 is completed with a leather strap.