Breguet Advances the Tradition Collection with 4 New References

First unveiled in 2005, Breguet's Tradition collection occupies a singular position within contemporary watchmaking. Long before open-worked and dial-side movement displays became a defining trend across the industry, Breguet introduced a radical inversion of conventional design: the mechanics are fully revealed on the front, transforming the dial into a stage for the movement itself. Rooted in the souscription and tact watches conceived by Abraham-Louis Breguet at the turn of the 19th century, the collection translates his enduring principles— clarity, symmetry, and mechanical transparency— into a distinctly modern language. In doing so, the Tradition line not only anticipated today’s fascination with open-worked architecture but helped define it, offering an early and enduring blueprint for integrating technical virtuosity with legible, purpose-driven design. A defining hallmark of the collection is its off-centered time display paired with two characteristic Breguet hands featuring open-tip. Displaced from the center, they deliberately make way for the mechanical architecture to take visual precedence. One highlight is the signature pare-chute shock absorber— one of Breguet’s most enduring inventions— visible at 4 o’clock. Every component reflects meticulous craftsmanship down to the smallest detail, while the sapphire case backs reveal the full complexity of the manufacture calibers, finished according to the highest standards of horology. 

In 2026, Breguet refreshes this cornerstone line with new references, each introducing subtle yet meaningful evolutions in display, materials, and finishing. Most notably, they now feature Arabic numerals, a nod to the old master who introduced them as early as 1799. They possess a beauty all their own— delicate, yet unmistakable. The minute markers, rendered as tiny stars, and the subtle lozenge motifs at the cardinal points further enhance this refined and distinctive aesthetic. Like many of his inventions and achievements, the numerals proudly bear his name. The same rings true for the Breguet balance-spring, which today is crafted from antimagnetic silicon. 

The new Tradition references 7037, 7097 and 7067 illustrate the collection’s ability to reinterpret its founding principles through nuanced variations in material, color, and finishing— each watch offering a distinct expression of the same architectural philosophy.

Tradition Seconde Rétrograde 

The Tradition Seconde Rétrograde 7037 embodies deliberate, unpretentious simplicity. Its 38mm, fluted white gold case frames a largely open dial, reduced to essential indications: hours, minutes, and a retrograde seconds display at 10 o’clock. This pared-down approach allows the movement to take center stage, here presented for the first time in an entirely blue execution. The shotblasted mainplate, satin-brushed bridges, and hand-guilloché barrel cover with snailed motif underscore the Manufacture’s emphasis on artisanal finishing. At 12 o’clock, an off-centered white Grand Feu enamel dial with Arabic numerals and blued steel Breguet open-tipped hours and minutes hands replaces the traditional guilloché version.

Inside, the self-winding Caliber 505 SR (3 Hz, 245 components) delivers a 50-hour power reserve and is driven by a 950 platinum oscillating weight. Reminiscent of a half moon inspired by Breguet’s early “perpétuelle” rotor designs, it is visible through the sapphire case back. The watch is water-resistant to 30 meters and fitted with an interchangeable rubber strap, a first for the collection. This execution of the Tradition Second Rétrograde is also available in platinum with a black dial, movement finish, and strap as well as jewelry execution in rhodium-plated white gold with an aventurine sub dial and a bezel set with 58 brilliant-cut diamonds.

In contrast, the Tradition Seconde Rétrograde 7097 explores a more pronounced interplay of textures and tones while remaining faithful to the collection’s symmetrical architecture. Its 40mm fluted rose gold case houses a dial distinguished by a white Grand Feu enamel sub dial at 12 o’clock, whose subtly varied firing ensures each piece is unique. It is set against a movement with new finishing featuring a charcoal-gray barrel cover, rose-gilt gear train, and contrasting components that reinforce the individuality of each element within the mechanism. The retrograde seconds display at 10 o’clock is mounted on a semi-circular gold segment to enhance legibility.

Powering the watch is the caliber 505 SR1, offering also a 50-hour power reserve and equipped with a white gold oscillating weight. Staying in the color scheme, Breguet presents this model on a gray calfskin strap.

Tradition GMT 7067

The new Tradition GMT 7067 builds on the established design codes of its namesake within the collection, yet introduces a striking and technically ambitious evolution. For the first time in a Tradition model, the off-centered hours dial is rendered in a green gradient Grand Feu enamel— an achievement that underscores Breguet’s mastery of this demanding craft. Creating this effect requires exceptional precision: master enamellers must orchestrate a seamless transition from a rich pine green at the center to black at the periphery, carefully calibrating the composition of enamel powders, the progression of tones, and the exact firing conditions down to the smallest detail. The result is a dial of remarkable depth and luminosity, all the more compelling as it is fully exposed on the dial side, rather than partially concealed within the case as is often the norm. Echoing the approach seen on the Tradition 7037, the use of Arabic numerals reinforces the historical language of Breguet while lending the display a contemporary clarity. Their silver-toned finish stands out crisply against the darker outer ring, ensuring optimal legibility without detracting from the visual drama of the enamel work.

The display of the two time zones is both intuitive and historically informed. Local time is indicated on the main off-centered dial, while Home Time is shown on a sub dial at 8 o’clock. A day/night indicator at 10 o’clock completes the functionality, positioned adjacent to the crown used to adjust the second time zone in one-hour increments in either direction. In a refined nod to the brand’s heritage, the Home Time display is offered with a choice of Arabic or Oriental numerals. The latter remains a rare feature in the contemporary repertoire of Breguet, yet it draws directly from historical precedents established by Abraham-Louis Breguet in the early 19th century. At the time, Breguet created bespoke timepieces for clients of the Ottoman Empire— today known as “Ottoman watches”— distinguished by their enamel dials, distinctive numerals, and elaborately decorated cases often adorned with floral motifs and miniature landscapes. With the Tradition GMT 7067, the Manufacture revisits this spirit of personalization, reintroducing a historically grounded aesthetic for modern collectors.

The dual-time complication itself is equally rooted in Breguet’s legacy. Appointed Watchmaker to the French Royal Navy by Louis XVIII in 1815, Breguet was tasked with developing precise timekeepers capable of accompanying long-distance navigation across different meridians— decades before the formalization of global time zones in 1884. This tradition of horological innovation continued through subsequent generations, notably influencing the needs of early aviation pioneers, for whom dual-time functionality became indispensable.

Powering the Tradition GMT 7067  is the manually wound Caliber 507DRF, beating at 3 Hz (21,600 vph) and composed of 274 components. Featuring black PVD-coated bridges and mainplate, it delivers a power reserve of approximately 50 hours. Its black PVD-treated bridges and mainplate create a striking visual contrast on the dial side, further accentuating the architecture of the movement. The watch is housed in a 40mm platinum case and paired with a black rubber strap highlighted by green topstitching, reinforcing its contemporary character. Pricing for all Tradition references is available upon request.

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