Breguet Tradition Automatique Seconde Rétrograde 7097 (Price, Pictures and specifications)
In 2005, the House of Breguet launched the Tradition collection of timepieces distinguished by a unique construction: the movement components are showcased on top of the mainplate. This year the original and remarkable line presents a new design version of the Breguet Tradition Automatique Seconde Rétrograde 7097 with a blue colored guilloche dial. This new model will be exclusively available in Breguet boutiques.
This wristwatch, like the rest of the collection, inspired by the subscription watches, recalls the genius of Abraham-Louis Breguet who first invented these one-hand pocket watches in 1796. They were fitted with a special movement of great simplicity and sold by subscription: a down payment of a quarter of the price on order and the rest on delivery. A.-L. Breguet used the movements of his subscription watches to create his first tact watches.
The Breguet Tradition 7097 pays tribute to the beauty of the calibers 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 mainplate. Refined finishing enhances the visual balance displayed by the symmetrical bridges. The bridges and mainplate are decorated to achieve a uniform, finely grained surface, which requires rare skill and faultless execution.
The gold winding rotor borrows its shape from historical movements while the classic clous de Paris (hobnailing) guilloche pattern, executed by hand, highlights the blue dial in gold, positioned off-center at 12 o'clock.
This timepiece gets its name from the retrograde seconds hand at 10 o'clock. The hours and minutes are shown by Breguet-style open-tipped hands in rhodium-plated steel. In order to provide optimum readability and to highlight the retrograde seconds’ complication, Breguet watchmakers used a semicircle with a circular brushed finish superimposed on the dial. 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 mechanisms in use in watch-making today, including the Incabloc system.
The Breguet 7097 reference features advanced 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 guarantee exceptional precision.
The Tradition Automatique Seconde Rétrograde 7097 watch is the result of the technical and aesthetic excellence which Breguet consistently strives for. Its refined and pure style honours the legacy of the House, while its technical characteristics are the prerogative of a watchmaking company that is resolutely turned towards the future.
Breguet Tradition Automatique Seconde Rétrograde 7097
Technical specifications:
· Reference: 7097BB/GY/9WU
· Case: 18-carat white gold with delicately fluted caseband. Sapphire-crystal caseback. 40mm diameter. Welded lugs with screw bars. Water resistant to 3 bar (30m).
· Dial: Blue dial in gold, engine-turned and offset at 12 o'clock. Individually numbered and signed Breguet. Hours chapter with Roman numerals. Retrograde small seconds at 10 o'clock. Breguet open-tipped hands in rhodium-plated steel.
· Movement: Self-winding movement, numbered and signed Breguet. Cal. 505SR1. 141⁄2 lignes. 38 jewels. 50 hours power reserve. Gold winding rotor borrowing its style from Breguet antique watches. Straight-line inverted lever escapement with silicon pallets. Breguet overcoil balance spring in silicon. Balance frequency 3Hz. Adjusted in 6 positions.
· Strap: Blue leather strap.
The price for the Breguet Tradition Automatique Seconde Rétrograde 7097 Ref. 7097BB/GY/9WU is CHF 32,500 / $ 36,100.
