Highlighting one of the most fascinating watchmaking complications ever, Breguet's new Tradition Tourbillon 7047, which, in line with the aesthetics of last May's Tradition Quantième Rétrograde 7597, elegantly plays on shades of blue. In addition to the alligator strap, the off-centred hours and minutes dial, the tourbillon cage and the links of the fusee-chain mechanism also take on this colouring.
The latter optimises the smooth running of the watch by guaranteeing it a constant torque, regardless of the level of the automatic winding. When the barrel is fully wound, it transmits the maximum force and the chain acts on the upper part of the spindle, the one with the smallest circumference; as the chain unwinds, its torque decreases but it acts in parallel on the widest part of the spindle, the base. In this way, the force released is constant.
At the heart of the 41 mm platinum case is the calibre 569, a rhodium-plated, hand-wound movement that houses 542 components and is equipped with an inverted-line anchor escapement and silicon lugs. This material, with which the Breguet balance spring is also made, is not only resistant to corrosion and wear and tear but is also unaffected by magnetic fields and improves the timekeeping of the timepiece.
Resolutely contemporary while respecting the brand's emblematic codes, the Tourbillon 7047 incorporates the brand's signatures: the "Clous de Paris" guillochage on the off-centre gold dial, the traditional Roman numerals and the "pomme" hands. Just like the watches from which it originates, the dial is secured by three screws. It is available at a price of €196,900.