Tradition Seconde Rétrograde 7038

Breguet continues the Tradition story

In 2026, Breguet is revitalising its Tradition collection, a cornerstone of the Manufacture’s history. It distinctively embodies the Breguet DNA by uniting the House’s key characteristics within its movement, visible on the dial side and showcasing the brand’s heritage, its founder’s legacy, as well as the path along which its future will be written.

The collection now welcomes several new models: Tradition 7037 and 7097, notably distinguished by a retrograde small seconds display; Tradition 7038, also featuring a retrograde small seconds hand as well as gemset bezel and buckle; along with Tradition 7067 comprising a dual-time display.

Clever changes give these models a more contemporary feel, notably through the use of Arabic (rather than Roman) numerals on certain models, traditional Grand Feu enamel dials, new movement finishes and new straps.

Looking back at an iconic line

The Tradition collection was launched in 2005. Over 20 years on, it has clearly established itself as a benchmark for collectors, embodying the dual objective pursued by Abraham-Louis Breguet: to design an exceptional movement whilst achieving perfect aesthetic harmony.

The Tradition model melds these two pursuits within a unique and coherent whole that can be admired in full from the dial side. Its exemplary symmetrical, perfectly balanced movement structure is a bedrock of its identity. Inverting the calibre means that watch components usually concealed at the back are now front-facing. All the elements are thus immediately visible, revealing Breguet’s genius at a glance: the clear layout, the simple and legible mechanical arrangement, the quality of the finishes, as well as the ingenuity of the display and the technical excellence.

The top of the timepiece features an offset dial directly inspired by the Tact watch. The same applies to the entire movement structure likewise inherited from this iconic timepiece. The Tact watch was conceptualised by the master watchmaker as early as 1795 and went on sale from 1799. It was itself heir to the design of the Souscription watch developed a few years earlier.

The Tradition 2026 new releases build upon this foundation to steer the collection in a more modern direction. Paradoxically, this is an eminently historical approach, as it remains faithful to Abraham-Louis Breguet’s horological vision: to constantly advance his art and design, to embrace the spirit of his era and to remain ahead of his time. By combining time-honoured expertise with contemporary techniques, these new models fully embrace modernity.

With these new offerings, Breguet reaffirms the purpose of its founding maestro and in so doing meets the expectations of 21st-century collectors seeking timepieces that reflect their generation and lifestyle.

Seconde Rétrograde 7038

This new model is one of a select few creations designed for enthusiasts of horological virtuosity. Embodying a blend of Haute Horlogerie and jewellery, this model combines cutting-edge engineering with the art of sophistication.

Each timepiece is crafted with unrivalled expertise, testifying to Breguet’s exceptional craftsmanship.

Powered by self-winding Breguet Calibre 505SR, the Tradition Seconde Rétrograde 7038 showcases its mechanical beauty within an 18K rhodium-plated white gold case. The bezel set with 58 brilliant-cut diamonds subtly captures the light, while the crown adorned with a watch jewel adds a luminous touch.

For the first time, the Maison has adorned a Tradition creation with a black aventurine glass dial, enlivened by dainty silver-toned powdered transfers, creating a subtle overall effect of visual depth.

The shotblasted bridges and mainplate are enhanced by a sophisticated surface treatment in a deep black hue.

The hours and minutes are indicated by white gold hollow-tipped Breguet hands. A retrograde seconds hand – also in white gold and positioned at 10 o’clock – adds a refined note to the display, while the fluted case and welded lugs evoke the Tradition collection’s historical characteristics.

A black satin-finished fabric strap with a silky feel hugs the wrist, while a rhodium-plated 18K white gold pin buckle set with 25 brilliant-cut diamonds further enhances the radiance of this model that Breguet also offers on a black satin-effect alligator leather strap.

Sunburst guilloché, a token of horological excellence

Visible in a central position on the dial side, the barrel cover is distinguished by a sunburst guilloché pattern evoking sunbeams and paying tribute to this exceptional craftsmanship first introduced on watch dials by A.-L. Breguet. Over time, guilloché has become an art form in its own right and above all, a signature of the Maison’s artisanal expertise. Breguet currently operates the largest workshop of guilloché lathes. These carefully restored vintage machines enable the creation of numerous patterns ranging from the most classic to the most original.

The back of the Tradition Seconde Rétrograde 7038 reveals a mechanical scene just as captivating as the front, setting the stage for masterful craftsmanship reserved exclusively for the owner’s enthralled gaze and testifying to the attention the House devotes to the finest details – even those invisible when the watch is on the wrist. The oscillating weight hovers over the mainplate and the finely shotblasted bridges, enhanced by a high-density black finish – just as on the dial side. Crafted in gold, it evokes the weights designed in the era of A.-L. Breguet. In this instance it takes the form of a half-crown also adorned with a sunburst guilloché pattern and specially developed for this version. This subtle decoration echoes the barrel cover that is finished in the same style, creating a true aesthetic dialogue between the two sides of the watch.