The beauty of traditional watch manufactures is, that on the one hand production methods that once made them strong are still being emphasized today, and on the other hand this unbroken innovation spirit from past times still generates modern and exciting new techniques. The Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Automatique 5367 that has been introduced at the beginning of this year is a perfect example.
Tradition meets modern – the Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra Plat
In 2013 Breguet presented the previous model with Ref. 5377 which visible appearance was shaped by a hand-guilloche dial. The silvered gold dial is adorned with ‘clou de Paris’ hobnail, barleycorn, straight chevrons and cross hatching. Inside floats a highly modern Tourbillon with its cage and balance made of titanium, the balance spring made of silicon and the escapement from a mixture of silicon and antimagnetic steel. The rotor is placed peripheral, which enhances the view on the movement and strengthens the power. The result is a strong power reserve of 80 hours.
The floating tourbillion cage and balance are made of titanium
The new watch with Ref. 5367 is equipped with the same powerful movement calibre 581. However the dial is decorated with another very traditional craftsmanship that is rooted in the watchmaking history since over 300 years – the Grand-Feu-Enamel. The name originally comes from the old Franconian ‘Smalt’ or ‘Schmelz’ meaning émail in French and consisting of a mixture of silicate (salts) and oxides which turn into that shimmery, glassy form when melted. It is in detail much more complicated – just to give you an idea.
Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra Plat
When manufacturing the enamel dials, the blanks are being painted with a glaze and then dusted before they cure in the kiln at about 800 degrees. Afterwards numbers and indices are being stamped onto the surface and cured once again in the kiln. As the blanks happen to deform under the enormous heat, they are being flattened in the end. Finally the gaps are being cut out precisely – in this case a small hole, which makes space for the Tourbillon complication at 5 o’clock.
Traditional craftsmanship – the dial is made from Grand-Feu-Enamel
In opposite to its previous model the Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat 5367 is kept more minimalistic from the outside, the movement however is even more laborious. Bridges, barrel and rotor are hand graved. The rotor is made of platinum and rotates peripherally around the 3mm flat movement. The Tourbillon also plays an important role in this watch – after all, Abraham-Louis Breguet has invented the first Tourbillon-Regulator in 1801.
Full attention for the movement – the rotor is placed peripheral
The Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat 5367 is available with a case in rosegold or platinum and a noble mahogany brown or blue alligator strap.
„I fly to escape the people and to be able to think“, once said the Brazilian inventor and aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont. This attitude nearly ended up deadly for him at the beginning of the 20th century, when he stroked the roof of a building with his airship and only managed to rescue himself in the…
With the new 911 Spirit 70, Porsche unveils a limited-edition model that seeks to unite iconic design cues from the 1970s with contemporary aesthetics. In parallel, Porsche Design launches a chronograph that is intricately woven into the visual identity of the car, adopting its design language from dial to movement. This is a look at…
BY FRED S. MANDELBAUM There has been some controversy among collectors if that widely quoted birthyear 1952 was correct - it may be the year the design work on the Navitimer began, but all available evidence points to 1954 as the year mass production started - although its roots lead much deeper into BREITLING's history. The…
Full disclosure – prior to being invited to the World Surf League’s Tow Surfing Competition in Nazaré, central Portugal, I knew nothing about surfing. Coming from the orange brick suburbs of North London, I’d never really watched surfing out at sea, let alone done it. I certainly hadn’t even heard of tow surfing, which I…
It's fair to say that across the Swiss watch industry, it is men's and unisex watches that tend to be the most technically interesting. A timepiece that breaks this trend, however, is Van Cleef's Lady Arpels Heures Florales. Charmingly beautiful on the surface, this watch is in fact a horological masterpiece. Van Cleef & Arpels’…
The new stars at Swiss watch-brand Carl F. Bucherer are not again Hollywood actors or sport enthusiasts as brands usually commit as ambassadors to represent their products, but 188 manta rays! The reason is mainly the brands support in The Manta Trust, a UK registered charity committed to protecting and ensuring the survival of manta rays…
GMT watches are ideal for people who regularly work with different time zones or travel frequently. They allow you to keep track of up to two additional time zones alongside the local time – a practical companion for businesspeople, frequent flyers, and globe-trotters. But how did GMT watches come by their world-famous name, how do…
How come a German watch brand based in Glashütte near Dresden (Saxony) chooses the Tuscany capital Florence to present their novelty? Well first of all, it is not just any novelty – it is the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattranpante Perpetual Calendar Handwerkskunst, a highly fascinating and complex watch that embodies artistic craftsmanship. And "artistic…
Popping pastels and vacation vibes; Breitling's new SuperOcean Heritage ’57 Pastel Paradise Capsule Collection for women actually stems from a 1950s diver's watch for men. Now, however, it has transformed into a high quality, incredibly fashionable new timepiece. With the introduction of this series, Breitling is proving itself to be truly with the times, not to…
On 7 October 2024, Richard Mille unveiled its fourth watch developed as part of its ten-year partnership with McLaren. This watch aims to transfer the DNA of McLaren's super sports cars into watchmaking and be in every way as extraordinary as the cars that bear the title ‘1’. This year's creation is not only inspired…
A few weeks back we mentioned the Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 Bronzo while introducing bronze watches at swisswatches. We now managed to get our hands on to a piece with very unique patina, which we found so thrilling that we dedicated it a little photo story. Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 Bronzo The owner bought the Panerai…
For some people travelling is the epitome of freedom – for others it is just normal daily business. “Once a year you should visit a place you have never been before” Dalai Lama said and points out a desire that is deeply rooted in many people. In this growing connected world people don’t only travel…
The world of haute horlogerie turns its attention to Geneva today, June 26, 2025, as Breguet is presenting another remarkable new model in celebration of its 250th anniversary: the Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255, a limited edition of just 50 pieces. This extraordinary creation honors Abraham-Louis Breguet’s invention of the tourbillon on June 26, 1801. For…