Previewed at Baselworld 2013, Breguet’s Classique Tourbillon extra-plat automatique makes its official debut this year in platinum. This piece sets the mark as the thinnest automatic-winding tourbillon on the market. The movement is a mere 3 mm high, and the case is 7 mm thick. Breguet also showed a two versions of a magnificent tourbillon with perpetual calendar. One has a traditional dial, and the other is fully skeletonized.
The extra-thin tourbillon, reference 5377, features an off-centred tourbillon in a titanium carriage. This construction is protected by several patents. The movement is also fitted with a non-magnetic silicon balance spring and an escapement made of silicon and non-magnetic steel. The frequency is 4 Hz, which is fast for a tourbillon, yet the power reserve is impressive at 90 hours. To keep the thickness of the movement down, Breguet designed a peripheral rotor in platinum, winding in both directions of spin.
The 42 mm case houses a 18-carat gold dial, silvered and engine-turned in four different patterns. The hours and minutes chapter is enhanced by a clou de Paris hobnail pattern edged by a barleycorn motif. The power-reserve indicator at 8:30 is decorated with engine-turned strait chevrons, while each element has a cross-hatched border. A blue sapphire set into the centre of the tourbillon bridge draws the eye to the hands.
The platinum model is priced at 160,000 Swiss francs, while the red gold version shown last year retails at SFr. 146,000.
