Breguet introduced the Tradition Chronograph Independent 7077 in 2015. This watch demonstrated awe-inspiring watchmaking ingenuity. What about two balance wheels, two gear trains, an arc-shaped minute counter, a power reserve indicator, and a fascinating openwork look on both the front and back? What more could you ask for? mosquito?
Well, you could also put on your critical hat and ask for it to be more readable. The reflective silver subdial that displays the time can become almost invisible under certain lights. Also, because the surroundings are so crowded, people don’t naturally look at the hour and minute hands. I know, I know…we’re very much in the realm of first world problems here. Anyway, this new blue guise solves that problem. First, let’s take a look at what’s special about the 7077, and then see how this new colorway improves it.
2015 silver dial version
Breguet Tradition Chronograph Independent 7077
Let’s start with the basics. The Breguet Tradition Chronograph Independant 7077 is a huge watch. At 44 mm wide, 48.7 mm long, and 14.1 mm thick, it takes up a good portion of your forearm. The strap is also quite thick at 23mm wide. This is a great diving watch, not to mention a classic piece of haute horology art. The entire case is made of 18K white gold, so you can imagine that it’s quite heavy.
However, this is not at all fun compared to exercise. The Caliber 580DR has some neat tricks up its sleeve. Functionally, it doesn’t seem to be that special. Chronograph with power reserve indicator. The magic is in the execution. The mainspring powers one 3Hz balance wheel for the 12 o’clock time display. Another balance wheel with a 5Hz frequency is dedicated to the chronograph.
However, the chronograph is powered by a leaf spring, which reloads when the chronograph is stopped. This spring provides 20 minutes of power, which is displayed on the arc-shaped 20-minute totalizer. Thanks to the two brakes, the titanium balance wheel immediately reaches the correct amplitude during operation. The “normal” balance wheel is made of cupra beryllium. Different balance materials allow the same size to perform different functions at different beat rates. In a word, it’s nifty.
The new blue look of the Breguet Tradition Chronograph Independent 7077
So what’s new about this latest release? Well, let’s be honest, it’s just the colors. Usually it’s not article-worthy, but this time it felt different. Here, color has a profound effect on the overall feel and function of the watch. Let me explain in detail.
The Tradition series houses beautifully brutalist movements with hard angles, dull bead-blasted surfaces, and an eerie dark gray hue. This style in particular is a joy to look at, as it contrasts the elegant and classic Breguet case and dial very strongly. Still, contrast was exactly what the earlier silver dial versions lacked. That is, color contrast.
By replacing silver elements with blue, the aesthetic suddenly becomes clearly divided into “what” and “how.” The blue bits indicate the “what”: the time and the elapsed minutes and seconds reading. The gray bits indicate the “how” by exposing the mechanism used to display that information. This creates visual hierarchy and clarity.
first impression
I think the Breguet Tradition 7077 is very impressive. Sure, it might be a little too impressive from a proportions perspective, but it’s positive in every other sense. First of all, this interpretation of the chronograph mechanism is wonderful. I love everything from the independent gear train to the balance wheel that moves at different paces to the arc-shaped display that shows how many minutes have passed.
Next up is a new color. It shouldn’t be news at all. This is an existing colorway in the Breguet catalog, and the watch has remained otherwise unchanged in nine years. Interestingly, the new look changes the watch. Suddenly, it has a lot more visual purpose and direction than the previous version. Don’t get me wrong. I like those watches, but whether I like the color or not, it looks better in all blue.
What do you think about the new Breguet Tradition Chronograph Independent 7077 Blue? Let us know in the comments section below.
