Introducing Breguet Gives Its Tradition Collection A Subtly Sporty Makeover For 2026

It's fair to say that Breguet had a particularly momentous 2025, celebrating its 250th anniversary. The highlight for the brand would undoubtedly be winning the “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix for its Classique Souscription at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, but that watch was by no means the only heavy hitter from last year: there was also the mind-melting Expérimentale 1, with its 10 Hz, magnetic escapement, constant force tourbillon; the Classique Tourbillon Sidéral, Breguet's first flying tourbillon; the unusual dual-dialled Marine Hora Mundi 5555... There was a lot going on.

Another 2025 release from Breguet was a particularly handsome Tradition Seconde Rétrograde 7035, which leaned into old-school opulence with a case made from the brand's then-new Breguet Gold alloy, a movement plated in the same hue, and a blue grand feu enamel guilloché dial. 2026 has seen Breguet return to the Tradition collection - with the Seconde Rétrograde a particular focus - but these latest novelties go in an altogether different aesthetic direction.

First up, we have a Tradition Seconde Rétrograde 7037, which features the same 38mm case as last year's 7035 but opts for stealthier white gold instead of Breguet Gold, and sports a blue ALD-treated mainplate and bridges, plus a cool snailed finish on its centrally-mounted barrel. Notably, it's the first-ever Tradition model on a rubber strap: specifically, it's a textile-effect blue hybrid number with a leather backing, quick-release spring bars and a white gold pin buckle.

There's also a platinum-cased version of the Tradition Seconde Rétrograde 7037 - platinum having a similar stealth-wealth effect to white gold - with this platinum version going for an all-black treatment, where the blue model's grand feu enamel dial is a contrasting, brilliant white. Both versions are powered by the self-winding calibre 505 SR with a platinum rotor modelled after the oscillating weight from Breguet's first automatic timepiece, the “Perpétuelle” from 1780.

Then, we get a model that's somewhere in between these two, aesthetically. This Tradition Seconde Rétrograde 7038 is white gold, this time 37mm in diameter, with a bezel set with 58 brilliant-cut diamonds and a black-treated movement. For this model, the dial isn't enamel but rather a piece of black aventurine glass, another first for the Tradition collection. Its barrel has a sunburst guilloché motif, which is mirrored on the reverse in the design of its automatic rotor.

Moving on, we have a Tradition Seconde Rétrograde 7097, which is the most traditionally styled of these latest Tradition novelties, but features a subtle modern twist juxtaposed with more traditional (it's in the name) design cues. Its rose gold case is slightly larger at 40mm, in line with pre-2025 Seconde Rétrograde models, but it's the first 7097 with a grand feu enamel dial... Which is then contrasted by a movement and strap in a contemporary grey hue.

Last but not least, we have a new Tradition GMT 7067, which stands out with its green gradient grand feu enamel dial - a first for the model line, again (as is its rubber strap, which has green contrast stitching). Breguet explains that achieving this subtle transition from pine green to black in enamel is exceedingly difficult, and it's hard to argue with the resulting effect. Vital statistics: within its 40mm platinum case, you'll find that main dial at 12, an open home time dial at 8-ish, and a day/night indicator for the latter smooshed in at 10, underscored by a black PVD-coated mainplate and bridges. The result is a visually cohesive, if asymmetrical layout.

Interestingly, the home time dial can also be optioned with Eastern Arabic numerals. Breguet explains that while such an offering is unusual within its contemporary range, it stems from an authentic customisation offered by Abraham-Louis Breguet himself from the early 1800s to his clients in the Ottoman Empire.

Breguet had a mammoth 2025, so you can forgive the brand for having a somewhat more subdued start to 2026. However, that's not to say that these Tradition models aren't winners - they're just an exercise in subtle tweaking. And there's nothing wrong with subtle tweaks, especially if the end results are compelling, which I think they are.

The two Seconde Rétrograde 7037 models and the Tradition GMT 7067 are the clear winners for me here: it's impressive how a swap from guilloché dials with Romans to enamel dials with Arabics can make these pieces seem so much more modern, when on paper, you'd think they'd made them look more, well, traditional. But it's the colours that do the heavy lifting here - the bold blue and black movements feel au courant - as do the rubber straps.

Brand: Breguet
Model: Tradition Seconde Rétrograde 7037BB/YB/576, Tradition Seconde Rétrograde 7037PT/N9/5V6, Tradition Seconde Rétrograde 7038BB/N9/7V6 D0, Tradition Seconde Rétrograde 7097BR/GB/3WU, Tradition GMT 7067PT/NM/5W6 01

Diameter: 37mm (7038), 38mm (7037), 40mm (7067 and 7097)
Thickness: 11.6mm (7038), 11.8mm (7097), 12.1mm (7067), 12.7mm (7037)
Case Material: White gold, platinum, rose gold
Dial Colour: White grand feu enamel (7037BB and 7097), black grand feu enamel (7037PT), green fumé grand feu enamel (7067), black aventurine (7038)
Indexes: Breguet numerals, home time zone dial can be optioned with Eastern Arabic numerals (7067 only)
Lume: None
Water Resistance: 30m for all
Strap/Bracelet: Hybrid rubber strap (7037 and 7067 references), nubuck (7097), satin-finish fabric (7038)

Calibres: Breguet 505 SR (Seconde Rétrograde references), 507DRF (GMT reference)
Functions: Hours, minutes, retrograde seconds (Seconde Rétrograde references); hours, minutes, second time zone, day/night indicator for second time zone (GMT reference)
Diameter: 32.8mm
Thickness: 6.3mm (505 SR), 7.5mm (507DRF)
Power Reserve: 50 hours
Winding: Automatic (x), manual (507DRF)
Frequency: 3 Hz

Price: A$78,700 (7097), A$82,300 (7037BB), A$90,500 (7037PT), A$92,100 (7038), A$114,300 (7067)
Availability: Now
Limited Edition: No

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