The running time can be read from the offset guilloché dial at the top of the watch. An unnumbered track runs around the flange: this tells the chronograph seconds, since the chronograph hand is the only one mounted at the center of the dial. Overlapping the running time display are two retrograde indicators: one for the power reserve, at 2 o’clock, and one for the chronograph minutes, at 10 o’clock.
Why does the chronograph minutes counter only reach up to 20? That’s a matter of the special chronograph escapement in the 7077. Although the 7077 has two escapements, it only has one conventional mainspring, which provides the 50-hour power reserve for the running time. The power for the chronograph comes from a flexed blade spring, which has a maximum reserve of 20 minutes. This spring is not wound; rather, every time you reset the chronograph to zero, the blade spring tenses, storing up energy for the chronograph’s next use.
The chronograph is controlled by two screwed-in pushers on the case middle, on either side of the lower lugs. These pushers, too, are unconventional: one of the buttons starts the chronograph, while the other both stops and resets it.
The Tradition Chronographe Indépendant 7077 comes in white gold ($79,700) or rose gold ($78,900), on a leather strap. It is water resistant to 30 meters.
This watch is truly awesome!
I think Breguet timepieces are the finest in the world.
I only wish that you had provided us with some more pictures of this truly outstanding watch.