Home » Baselworld - World Watch and Jewellery Show » Breguet Presents the World’s Thinnest Tourbillon Watch – Classique Grandes Complications 5377BR
At the Baselworld 2013 event, Breguet has presented the new thinnest tourbillon in the world – Classique Grandes Complications 5377BR Ultra Thin watch. The latest model by the Vallée de Joux firm has a profile of just 7 mm which puts it ahead of all other tourbillons on the market, even the recently presented UTTE timekeeper by Arnold & Son. It is equipped with automatic-winding tourbillon Calibre 581DR movement with the awesome power reserve of 90 hours which is displayed at the off centered indication at the eight o’clock position.
Breguet Classique Grandes Complications 5377BR Watch
As it turns out, this year’s edition of the Baselworldbrought to the heated competition for the world’s thinnest tourbillon. Breguet’s new Classique Grandes Complications 5377BR Ultra Thin timekeeper has managed to scoop the title for the slimmest case profile featured in a tourbillon. However, Arnold & Son UTTE watch which we have recently reviewed still holds the record, as far as the thickness of the movement is concerned. While Arnold & Son Ultra Thin Tourbillon Escapement piece includes A&SS8200 caliber whose thickness measures to 2.97 mm, the Breguet newcomer features 0.03 mm thicker Calibre 581DR. Still, thanks to the ingenious architecture of the movement, the watch from the Classique lineage manages to presents its tourbillon is a significantly slimmer package – it is just 7 mm thick compared to UTTE’s 8.34 mm.
The supported ultra-thin caliber features the uncommonly high frequency for a tourbillon which does not impair the supported power reserve. Despite its rate of 28,800 vph, the Breguet newcomer has a power reserve of 90 hours, thanks to the inclusion of a high energy barrel on roller bearings. The clever decision to set the bi-directional platinum winding rotor at the outskirts of the caliber is the main reason why the watch has such a thin profile.
Supplied with a tourbillon carriage and a balance made from titanium, as well as with a balance spring and a lateral lever escapement from silicon (for the escapement, silicon is combined with anti-magnetic steel), the new off-centered self-winding tourbillon movement boast two registered patents. It incorporates 42 jewels, has the diameter of 16 lignes and is adjusted in six positions. In the watchmaker’s practice, the movement is opulently finished which is visible through the case-back.
The upper class origin of Breguet Classique Grandes Complications 5377 BR is once again confirmed by the look of its silver dial which features four types of engine-turned decorations. The asymmetric face has hobnail motifs at the chapter ring, encircled with a barleycorn pattern. Moreover, straight chevron motif graces the retrograde power reserve display, while the cross-hatching outlines each of the mentioned features. The tourbillon cage rests at the off-centered position, while the center of the tourbillon cage itself is a sapphire stone. Roman numerals on the face are complemented with Breguet-styled open tip hands.
The round case with a nicely fluted case-back, as well as with welded lugs with screwed bars, has the modest diameter of 42 mm and is available in 18 K red gold (the reference number 5377BR/12/9WU) and platinum (the 5377PT/12/9WU). It is water proof to 30 meters, guarded with a sapphire crystal and paired with a brown leather strap which fastens with a triple-blade folding clasp. Each copy of the world’s slimmest tourbillon timekeeper is numbered and signed.
