Breguet Tradition Collection Overview

amanico · 2025-12-08T13:25:27Z

Explore the Breguet Tradition, from its 1800s Subscription watch inspiration to modern references like the 7027. Discover its iconic design and market value.

amanico

WPS member · Breguet forum

33 replies2089 views6 photos

Amanico's deep dive into the Breguet Tradition collection offers a rare glimpse into its historical lineage, tracing its inspiration back to the 1800s Subscription watch. This article illuminates how Breguet masterfully translated historical horological principles into a modern icon, showcasing the brand's enduring DNA. His detailed exploration, enriched with personal observations and stunning photography, provides invaluable context for understanding the Tradition's significance in contemporary watchmaking.

When you discover a brand such as Breguet, you already know some little things about it. But you go deeper, and you see them with different eyes.

For example, the Tradition.

When Breguet decided to unveil it in 2005, ( 16 years ago, already! ) we learnt that the took their inspiration from a much more distant past, and more precisely, from a certain Subscription watch which was born circa 1800.

I was lucky enough to see this pocket watch in reality, thanks to Emmanuel Breguet, who kindly authorized me to take some pictures.

Here, the Subscription watch from 1805.

Back in 2005, Breguet unveiled the first member of what will become a family, the reference 7027, in a 37 mm case, in colored gold, but also in white gold.

Here is the 7027 in white gold.

Since then, we saw a Tradition Chronograph, a Tradition Tourbillon , a Tradition Minute Repeater, and even a Tradition Automatique whose rotor is inspired from another pocket watch.

The " Simple manual winding " Tradition also came in a bigger case ( 39 mm ), under another reference, the 7057.

At that time, in 2005, if my memory serves me well, the Tradition, despite its... traditional look, was the first wristwatch to show the parts of the movement on the dial side. The second watch from another brand to offer such a particularity came a few years after, from Germany, the aptly named Glashutte Original PanoInverse.

The Tradition " time only " is, in my opinion, an icon. This is the kind of watch you immediately recognize, which, moreover, gathers all the characteristics of a Breguet watch, or, if you prefer, represents the true DNA of the brand: The " moon " tip blue hands, the hand made guilloché dial, the Pare Chute " shock protection system ", the Breguet Balance Spring, invented in 1795, the ribs on the side case, and this unmistakable aesthetics which crossed the centuries in a timeless way.

Add a touch of modernity, with a silicon spring, and you have a stunning " cocktail ".

Among all the Breguet watches I know, the Tradition indisputably belongs to the history of the brand, to its Patrimony.

A few words on the versions I could see all along these years: My natural preference goes for the simpler Tradition, and in white gold. Even if I totally understand the charm of the yellow gold, which looks more " historical ". I also prefer the 37 mm case, but I have to say that I was not disturbed at all by the 40 mm version, as the extra millimeters don't make it loose its harmony.

I will keep the best for the end... A side by side picture of the Tradition reference 7057 with the Subscription watch from 1805...

To show you how faithful the modern Tradition is.

Looking forward to reading your comments and thoughts,

Best.

Nicolas

Key Points from the Discussion

The Breguet Tradition reference 7027 in rose gold is a highly sought-after model, with collectors often undertaking extensive searches to acquire one.
Despite its superb finishing and iconic status, the Breguet Tradition often trades at a significant discount on the pre-owned market, making it an exceptional value compared to other luxury watches in its price segment.
The Tradition line, including the time-only, retrograde seconds, and GMT models, is consistently praised for its exceptional finishing, leading some collectors to question why pre-owned values remain relatively low.
The Breguet Tradition's distinctive open-dial aesthetic, showcasing movement components, has served as a significant inspiration for numerous independent watchmakers.
There's a perceived irony that many independent brands with similar visual styles have achieved greater 'star' status, while Breguet, the originator of this aesthetic in a wristwatch, is sometimes overlooked by the broader market.
The opportunity to view the original 1805 Subscription watch, which inspired the Tradition, is a rare and highly valued experience for Breguet enthusiasts.

The Discussion

911 EURO

Dec 8, 2025

Thanks for this rare comparison and your contribution- Very well done. Now, if you could kindly send me one of each..................

Bruno.M1

Dec 8, 2025

and imo a must have. Not cheap at list but if you consider secondhand this must be the words most interesting bargain. A gold breguet with a superb finishing and as you said an icon ... all of this for the price of a Steel submariner. Now if it would be my first watch I would take the submariner, if it were my only watch I would take the submariner ... But if you have let's say 5 watches around that price ... you're really silly if you would not consider a Breguet Tradition

bruckner4

Dec 8, 2025

Been waiting for the right 37mm to come along. Amazing pics, Nico. Must have been a treat to see the original in all its glory.

Watchonthewrist

Dec 9, 2025

And also a big inspiration for many independent watchmakers.

Bruno.M1

Dec 10, 2025

And unfortunately all the independents with similar looking watches became stars while almost everyone neglected Breguet…. Well except us ofcourse

pw927

Dec 11, 2025

And I too have it high on my list to acquire one day.

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