Patrick (p-m-k) shares his detailed rationale behind acquiring the Breguet Tradition Ref. 7027, a piece he considered for a significant period. His post delves into the specific attributes that align with his collecting philosophy, from movement design to value for money. This personal account offers valuable insights for potential owners and highlights the enduring appeal of this distinctive Breguet model.
Hi all!
I was
considering a Breguet 7027 for a long time and the discussions on this forum
helped me 'take the step' with great wrist shots and perspectives from owners. On top, after purchasing, I posted on this forum to get advise on
an oil stain on the movement plate. I received immediate answers confirming
this is not an issue. So a BIG thank you to this community!
I
thought I could give "a little back" by at least sharing the thoughts
that drove my decision to acquire this piece. After 1 week + on the wrist, I am
still in the honeymoon phase and very very happy!
The things
I appreciate in watches:
- Time only watches
(manually wound): to me those are the purest form of a 'watch' as a single
purpose 'device'. In general, I appreciate in particular the fact that
time-only watches can also be very complex (think Richard Lange PLM,
Grönefeld Remontoire, Romain Gauthier Logical). Last, the added benefit is
that when picking up a time only watch, the setting is quick!
- Movement: I prefer
watches where the movement was created and designed for that particular
watch, ie with the 'model in mind'. This usually brings in a coherence and
ensures good proportions front/back. E.g. avoiding a too small movement
'lost' in a caseback or a small second display too close to the dial
center.
- Watches on the smaller side:
I like compact watches which are under 40mm.
How the
7027 fits in (or what I like about the 7027):
- The movement design is interesting: this isn't your classic Peseux
architecture with the 7027 having a central barrel and bringing a nice
symmetric design. The cherry is the cool story about the movement basing
itself on that old Breguet pocket watch movement.
- Maybe
the 7027 was a trend setter? I am not sure if the 7027 was THE first watch to show the
balance wheel on the front but it was among the first in 2005. Now it's an
established trend with Kari (28 Inverse), Romain Gaultier, etc. Also
within Breguet the 7027 was the first of the Tradition line which can be
qualified as 'successful' given the number of declinations.
- The watches brings a lot of QUALITY (with free sprung balance wheel, hand
guilloché solid gold dial, great finish to my taste, etc) and DETAILS. Whenever you take a loupe you discover new things.
Here is a selection: the pallet fork inspection holes in the mainplate,
the fact that the edges/teeths of the gears on the front side are
gold-coloured, the way the planetary gears rotate on the backside power
reserve when winding, the fact you can see the gears of the setting
geartrain turn when adjusting the time, the way light catches the edges of
the bridges and makes them shine, the barely visible notches on the side
of the case (opposite of the crown) used to open the compression case
back/front. I could go on and on.
- I love the winding, to me it is perfect. It’s crisp and precise and that
matters on a manual wound watch. There is no back turning when you release
the crown.
- The proportions are perfect for me: there are some forum discussions about the
size being too small. I love the 'traditional' proportions and as stated
in other threads the watch appears larger than a sheer 37mm.
- Value
for money: I am
a young collector and funds are not unlimited... In that context, this
watch offers a TREMENDOUS value for money on the pre-owned market.
In terms of variants, the choice was easy for me. I only wear silver
and therefore I went for the white gold case. The black dial version then brings a nice 'stealth' touch (let's say 'ton sur ton') which I love.
Happy to have your thoughts and thanks again for guiding this
purchase!
Patrick
About the Breguet Breguet La Tradition Breguet 18kt White Gold 7027 Ref. 7027
The Breguet La Tradition 7027 represents a masterful homage to Abraham-Louis Breguet s revolutionary horological innovations, specifically drawing inspiration from his souscription watches of the late 18th century. This reference exemplifies Breguet s philosophy of making the mechanical movement the star of the show, with the brand s signature open-dial architecture revealing the intricate workings within. The La Tradition collection, introduced in the early 2000s, pays tribute to Breguet s historical commitment to technical transparency and educational watchmaking, where the movement components themselves become the primary aesthetic element. This particular reference showcases the manufacture s ability to seamlessly blend centuries-old design principles with contemporary horological sophistication.
At the heart of the 7027 beats the manufacture Caliber 505SR, an automatic movement that demonstrates Breguet s technical mastery through its skeletonized construction and classical finishing. The movement features the brand s distinctive pare-chute shock protection system, a direct descendant of Breguet s original invention from 1790, alongside a silicon escapement wheel and pallet fork that enhance both precision and magnetic resistance. The off-center dial arrangement at 12 o clock displays hours and minutes via traditional Breguet open-tipped hands, while the remaining dial space reveals the movement s barrel, gear train, and oscillating weight. The slate gray dial provides an elegant contrast to the exposed mechanical elements, creating depth and visual hierarchy within the 40mm white gold case.
The 7027 s design language epitomizes Breguet s neoclassical aesthetic through its coin-edge bezel, engine-turned surfaces, and the signature Breguet numerals adorning the subsidiary dial. The sapphire crystal case construction offers complete transparency, allowing appreciation of the movement s architecture from multiple angles. From a collectibility standpoint, this reference occupies a significant position within the La Tradition lineup, representing the perfect entry point into Breguet s philosophy of mechanical transparency while maintaining the brand s historical design codes. The combination of manufacture movement, precious metal construction, and the prestigious Breguet heritage ensures strong positioning within the contemporary haute horlogerie market, appealing to collectors who value both technical innovation and classical watchmaking traditions.
Specifications
- Caliber
- Cal. 505SR
- Case
- white gold
- Diameter
- 40mm
- Dial
- slate gray
- Water Resist.
- 30m
- Crystal
- Sapphire
