Based on the souscription calibre created by Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1796, the Tradition is characterised by an open, symmetrical movement layout and an off-centered time display. The distinctive look has made it one of Breguet’s modern-day hits, though most variants of the Tradition have been watches for men.

The latest Tradition Dame 7038 adds to the compact line-up of Tradition watches for ladies. Exclusive to boutiques, the Tradition Dame 7038 combines a dark, iridescent Tahitian mother-of-pearl dial with a deep-brown movement treatment. And unusually for Breguet, the watch is delivered with a matching clutch bag.

Initial thoughts

The off-centered, Tahitian mother-of-pearl dial was the first thing that caught my attention when this arrived in my inbox. With enigmatic colours that shimmer and vary between violet and green, Tahitian mother-of-pearl never fails to be captivating.

Obtained from black-lipped oysters around Tahiti and French Polynesia, they are much rarer compared to white mother-of-pearls as was featured in the first Tradition Dame 7038, making this more appealing, not just for its colour but also the material.

The brown undertones of the Tahitian mother-of-pearl dial are complemented by the brown treatment of the frosted finish on the movement and the rose gold case. In typical Breguet style, the mother-of-pear dial is finished in clous de paris engine-turning, a decorative touch that is tradition and always welcome as it adds visual interest to the sub-dial – which is a bit too small and hard to read, especially in a dark colour.

The case is classic Breguet style, but is largish for a ladies’ watch. Measuring 37 mm in diameter and 11.85 mm high, coupled with narrow lugs, the watch is better than the average ladies’ watch, which gives it a more modern feel. Moreover, the open-dial design of the Tradition translates well into a bigger case, which allows the movement to be more visible and the time more legible.

Inside is the automatic cal. 505SR that has a power reserve of 50 hours. Mechanically the watch is identical to the men’s Tradition, but here the movement has been dressed up in a slightly more feminine manner. The barrel, for instance, is decorated with a rosette guilloche that gives the face a little more flair than the comparatively plain version in the men’s Tradition.

The rosette guilloché repeats itself on the rotor

Accessorising

And the watch is delivered on bright orange strap that’s a little too reminiscent of a luxury leather-goods brand, and also feels aesthetically disconnect from the classical leanings of the watch.

To match the strap, the Tradition Dame 7038 is packaged with a hand-stitched clutch bag in orange leather modelled on a watchcase. And the clasp of the bag is decorated with the rosette motif that’s also found on the barrel and rotor of the watch.

The watch against its matching clutch bag

Key Facts and Price

Breguet Tradition Dame 7038
Ref. 7038BR/CT/3V6 D00D

Diameter: 37 mm
Thickness: 11.85 mm
Material: Rose gold
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 30 m

Movement: Cal. 505SR
Functions: Hours, minutes and seconds
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 21,600 beats per hour (3 Hz)
Power reserve: 50 hours

Strap: Calfskin leather

Availability: Only at Breguet boutiques
Price: 38,800 Swiss francs; or 57,100 Singapore dollars

For more information, visit Breguet.com.