Live From Basel: Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Automatique 5367 Grand Feu Enamel

A Breguet fitted with a tourbillon is always holding a special position in the world of watches. This is not only thanks to the fact that it was Abraham-Louis Breguet, the brand’s founder, who invented this complication, which he patented in 1801 but also because the brand never stopped innovating. Perhaps the best example of this is the Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Automatique.

While on the outside this watch looks very classic, the movement is actually state-of-the-art. With a height of only 3mm is caliber 581 ultra slim, yet still an automatic, as it is fitted with a peripheral platinum rotor. The tourbillon itself is set in a titanium carriage, while both the horns of the lever escapement and the balance spring are made from silicon. Running at 4Hz, it also has a very generous power reserve of 80 hours. On top of that did Breguet also beautifully engraved the movement.

This all is fitted in a typical Breguet-case, with a height of only 7mm and 42mm in diameter. Initially, it was introduced as reference 5377, which has another Breguet hallmark: the guilloche dial. For the new reference 5367, the power reserve indicator was removed, and the dial has been replaced by one of Grand Feu enamel. The result is extraordinary because where the reference 5377 is a classic tour de force, the reference 5367 turns the Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Automatique in an understated masterpiece.

The Grand Feu enamel has a beautiful gloss to it, which is even accentuated more by the printed Arabic numerals on the dial. It actually takes you a while before you notice that the numerals and minute markers are decentral on the dial, which gives the watch an interesting twist. In the version with the guilloche dial is the tourbillon part of the package, yet with the Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Automatique in Grand Feu enamel it stands out much more. While nearly identical it is surprising to see what a different dial can do to a watch, and how reference 5367 and 5377 complement each other!