Breguet Tradition Seconde Rétrograde 7035: A Tribute To Time, Technique And Heritage
5 min read
In the world of haute horlogerie, few names carry the weight and historical gravitas of Breguet. Founded in 1775 by Abraham-Louis Breguet, the inventor of the tourbillon and countless other watchmaking firsts, the brand has long embodied the balance between innovation, elegance, and engineering precision.
To mark its 250th anniversary, Breguet unveils its second launch - the Tradition Seconde Rétrograde 7035—a limited edition that embodies the house’s signature codes while pushing its artisanal and technical artistry into new territory.
A Journey Through Time: From Souscription to Tradition
The Tradition 7035 isn’t simply a new model—it’s a direct heir to a rich horological lineage. The Tradition collection, launched in 2005, is deeply inspired by A.-L. Breguet’s Souscription watches from 1796, which were revolutionary in concept and commercial model. Sold via a leaflet and with a quarter-price deposit, these robust, single-hand timepieces made fine watchmaking accessible in a way never seen before.
In 1799, Breguet pushed boundaries again with the Tact watch, designed for discreet time-telling by touch. These designs weren’t just functional—they were social innovations. The Tradition collection merges these early ideas into a modern architectural vision: open-worked dials, symmetrical movement layouts, and mechanics exposed like a watchmaker’s bench.
“What appeals to me most of all is the very essence of what makes the Tradition collection so unique: this plunging perspective into the heart of the movement... This daring architecture almost lets you slip into the watchmaker’s skin, so faithfully does it reproduce the view he has when working on a watch.”
Grégory Kissling, CEO of Breguet
Design and Dial: A View Into the Mechanism
The Tradition 7035 is presented in a refined 38mm case crafted from a newly developed proprietary alloy: Breguet gold. A blend of gold, silver, copper, and palladium, this exclusive metal gives the watch a soft, luminous warmth. The case is complemented by a translucent Breguet blue grand feu enamel dial—sitting above a guilloché base engraved with the Quai de l’Horloge motif, a tribute to Breguet’s historic workshop along the Seine in Paris.
“This second anniversary timepiece perfectly embodies that spirit,” Kissling continues. “A true tribute to Breguet’s heritage, it is distinguished by the use of our Breguet gold... giving this timepiece a majestic and resolutely exclusive allure.”
This is also the first time the Quai de l’Horloge pattern appears on an enamel dial, combining two of Breguet’s signature métiers: guilloché and enameling. “This unprecedented alliance highlights the excellence of these two crafts... and celebrates a centuries-old expertise,” says Kissling.
The retrograde seconds display—arcing between 10 and 11 o’clock—adds kinetic interest without compromising elegance. The dial also features silvered Breguet Arabic numerals, stylised fleur-de-lis minute markers, and a unique serial number positioned at 4 o’clock.
Mechanics & Movement: Engineering in Full View
Powering the 7035 is the Calibre 505 R, a finely finished self-winding movement that proudly showcases its inner workings. Bridges and gear trains are visible from the front, finished in matching Breguet gold hues with hand-applied satin surfaces—a first in the Tradition collection. The bridges, mainplate, and components are arranged in a way that references 19th-century souscription watches while offering modern horological finesse. Blued screws, ruby-red jewels, and silver-toned gears provide dynamic contrast, adding texture and depth to the visual experience.
Turn the watch over, and the visual spectacle continues. The crescent-shaped platinum rotor, with vertical brushing, glides elegantly over satin-finished bridges. The rotor isn’t just a functional component—it’s a tribute to A.-L. Breguet’s original innovation in automatic winding.
Another First
As early as 1775–1780, Breguet had already begun experimenting with platinum, at a time when the metal was not yet used in watchmaking. A scientist as well as a watchmaker, Breguet understood the remarkable properties of this dense and corrosion-resistant material. Though difficult to work with—its fusion point exceeds 1,800°C—platinum offered one key advantage: efficiency in automatic winding systems. It was in these early years that Breguet developed a side-mounted platinum oscillating weight, leading to the birth of his “perpétuelle” watches.
While a few rare timepieces were later made with platinum cases, it was primarily through his use of the metal in internal components—like the rotor—that Breguet helped pioneer the material’s role in horology. The 7035’s rotor bears a discreet “Pt950” hallmark, verifying the use of high-purity platinum, and serves as a bridge between 18th-century innovation and 21st-century execution.
Strap, Buckle & Presentation
The 7035 is paired with a navy blue alligator leather strap—large scales on the outer layer and small scales lining the interior—for added suppleness and durability. The strap is fastened by a classic pin buckle in 18K Breguet gold, completing the aesthetic circle with the case material.
Each Tradition 7035 is individually numbered and presented in a special red leather anniversary box, inspired by the Moroccan leather cases used during Breguet’s early years and finally the Tradition 7035 comes with a five-year international warranty, ensuring peace of mind and service support on par with the watch’s technical pedigree.
The Tradition Collection: 20 Years of Modern Icon
Since its debut in 2005, the Tradition line has redefined how mechanical beauty is presented. Unlike conventional watches that hide their workings beneath the dial, the Tradition exposes its engine proudly on the front.
The Breguet Tradition Seconde Rétrograde 7035 is not just a watch—it’s a manifestation of 250 years of mechanical evolution, aesthetic refinement, and cultural history. It tells time, yes—but more importantly, it tells a story.
