Breguet Tradition

Breguet’s timepieces are more than simple wristwatches — they’re works of art.

Take the Tradition series, for example. Introduced in 2015, they feature the going train of the firm’s 19th-century souscription watches paired to an automatic winding system. When combined with the traditional, engine-turned Breguet dial and an exposed movement, they make for stunningly beautiful contemporary pieces that bridge the best in vintage aesthetics with the utmost in contemporary timekeeping technology. (Sourscription watches were pocket watches that were sold on a subscription basis — the buyer would put down 25%, with the rest due upon delivery.) 

This particular Tradition Reference 7037 from the 2010s features a 38mm yellow gold, coin-edged case with a sapphire crystal, a signed crown, and a beautiful, 'floating' silver guilloche dial with printed 'Roman' indices and a matching blued-steel 'Breguet' handset. Other unique features include a power reserve indicator hidden in plain sight within the 'frosted', skeletonized yellow gold movement visible both via the front sapphire crystal and the exhibition case back.

Powered by Breguet's Calibre 507DR manual winding movement, it comes fitted to a black alligator signed strap with a matching Breguet yellow gold pin buckle.

This Breguet is truly a connoisseur's watch — though anyone can appreciate its exquisite beauty.

Few companies are so steeped in history that their name has become a byword for a particular type of product or style. Breguet is one such company: Their famously elegant numerical typeface and matching handset is now de rigueur amongst the most sophisticated dress watches, from Patek Philippe to Longines to, of course, Breguet itself.

However, these numerals and hands are but a single innovation in a long list of horological firsts devised by master watchmaker and inventor Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747-1823), a Neuchatel-born savant whose Parisian career saw the advent of myriad watchmaking creations that we take for granted today. Indeed, it was Breguet who devised the first self-winding watches, as well as the first gongs for repeating watches and the tourbillon. Not many inventors can claim the king and queen of France as patrons, but indeed King Louis XVI and his bride Marie Antoinette were amongst his admirers.

20th-century Breguet is no less storied: The company’s Type 20 pilot’s chronograph issued to the French Aéronautique Militaire in the 1950s provided a benchmark for military watch design. Its stark black dial and utilitarian look belied the sophisticated retour en vol (“flyback”) mechanism within the movement, which allowed a pilot to stop, reset and start the chronograph by depressing the bottom pusher just once.

More recently, under the current management of Mark A. Hayek, modern Breguet has continued to register new patents and amass a dedicated following. The brand’s “Classique” dress watches from the 1990s and 2000s, for example, feature some of the most striking dials in modern watchmaking, making use of guilloché patterns, blue steeled hands and Roman numerals. While the company’s contemporary offerings continue to increase in sophistication and the number of complications available, it’s surely these simple, gorgeous time-only models that best encapsulate the elegant timepieces of A.L. Breguet himself.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.