Since its invention by Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1801, the tourbillon has remained one of the most fascinating mechanisms in watchmaking. Often it is viewed as a complication in its own right, even though most of the time it doesn't indicate anything, but it is a very complex and extremely precise testament to the skill of the maker, whoever it is. It rotates at different speeds or even across multiple axes and remains a truly fascinating feature of a watch. With this in mind, we have put together six mechanical marvels that, in various ways, turn the tourbillon escapement into a real spectacle!
Henri Grandjean & Cie The Magician
Without a visual mechanical connection for its three-axis, mysterious tourbillon, the Henri Grandjean & Cie The Magician lives up to its name. Suspended between two transparent discs that connect it to the rest of the movement, the entire sphere appears to float in the air. The super-fast rotation is a feast for the eyes, but the rest isn't bad either. The time display is moved to the right side, with a date function in the middle and a day/night display above. The Magician is available in titanium or rose gold, the latter of which can optionally be provided with an artistic engraving. All this watchmaking trickery doesn't come cheap, however, with prices starting at 350,000 francs made of titanium!
For more information, visit Henri-Grandjean.com.
Quick facts – 45 mm x 16 mm – Case made of titanium or rose gold – Choice of engraving or gemstone setting – Front and back made of sapphire crystal – 30 m water resistant – Offset hour and minute dial, date, day/night display – Caliber 1831, in-house movement – Hand-wound – Three-axis, mysterious tourbillon (10, 18, 60 revolutions) – 21,600 vibrations per hour – 40 hour power reserve – Alligator leather strap with rose gold folding clasp – 350,000 francs (Titanium) – 380,000 francs (Gold) – 480,000 francs (gold, engraved)
Vanguart Black Hole Tourbillon
A mechanism as fascinating as a tourbillon deserves its place in every watch it regulates. That's why Vanguart decided to place it exactly in the middle of its Black Hole tourbillon. This marvel of engineering tells time with three rotating concave discs aligned horizontally at 9 inches to show you the exact hour and minute of the day. The entire three-dimensional construction looks very sci-fi, with the twin crowns mimicking a pair of thrusters. One is used to wind and set the time, the other is used for quick time adjustment and the time zone function. Limited to 8 pieces per version (Titanium or Gold), prices start at 355,000 francs.
For more information, visit Vanguart.com.
Quick facts – 45mm diagonal x 15.75mm thickness – Exo-skeleton case in titanium or rose gold – Double crowns – Sapphire crystal front and back – Concentric automatic dial with concave hour and minute discs – Floating flying tourbillon – Vertical power reserve – Caliber T-1701, hand-wound – 775 components – 21,600 vibrations per hour – 42 hours Power reserve – integrated rubber strap with pin buckle – limited to 8 pieces per version – 355,000 francs (titanium) or 410,000 francs (rose gold)
Breguet Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255
On the more classic side, we have the Breguet Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 to mark the brand's 250th anniversary. In a Breguet gold case there is a dark blue Grand Feu Aventurine enamel dial with a fairly large opening for the regulating organ. And this is not an ancient regulating organ, but a mysterious flying tourbillon. The lower bridge and tourbillon holder are made of sapphire that disappears into thin air, similar to the Henri Grandjean The Magician. The time is read on a raised Breguet gold ring with blue PVD coating and gold hands. In the rear area, the workmanship appears almost reserved, almost sober. Only 50 pieces will be made and the price is 190,000 francs.
For more information, visit Breguet.com.
Quick facts – 38 mm x 10.2 mm – Breguet gold case, polished – fluted case band – sapphire crystal front and back – 30 m water resistance – blue Grand Feu Aventurine enamel base dial – raised blue hour ring – gold Breguet hands – exposed mysterious flying tourbillon – caliber 187M1, hand-wound – 18,000 vibrations per hour – 50 hour power reserve – navy blue alligator leather strap with Breguet gold triple folding clasp – limited to 50 individually numbered pieces – 190,000 francs
Montblanc Star Legacy suspended Exo tourbillon
While the tourbillon typically houses the escapement in an external rotating cage, the suspended Exo Tourbillon Versailles Montblanc Star Legacy actually does things a little differently. The escapement of this opulent edition inspired by the Palace of Versailles is mounted above the tourbillon cage and can vibrate independently. It hangs under a one-armed bridge engraved with the Minerva signature. The top half displays the time and the entire watch is crafted with an incredible level of detail. Montblanc will only produce 8 of these magnificent Métiers d'Art creations and reward you with a staggering amount of prize money 259,000 euros.
For more information, visit montblanc.com.
Quick facts – 44.8 mm x 15.52 mm – 18K yellow gold case, polished and engraved – Sapphire crystal front and back – 30 m water resistance – 18K white gold inlaid base dial – Exposed Exo-Tourbillon escapement – Champlevé enamel hour and minute dial – Caliber MB M16.68, hand-wound – in-house – 18,000 vibrations per hour – 50 hour power reserve – gray calf leather strap with alligator embossing and yellow gold triple folding clasp – limited to only 8 pieces – 259,000 euros
H. Moser & Cie. Endeavor Skeleton Tourbillon
As one of the very few brands capable of producing hairsprings, it is only natural that H. Moser & Cie. displays these regularly. The latest fascinating watch is the beautiful Endeavor Skeleton Tourbillon, which features a double hairspring for the tourbillon escapement. A double hairpin improves chronometric precision and stability by correcting imbalances between the two. It features a beautifully skeletonized movement and is housed in a rose gold case. Worn on a dark brown alligator nubuck strap, it is part of the permanent collection and available at retail 85,400 CHF before tax.
For more information, visit H-Moser.com.
Quick facts – 40 mm x 10.7 mm – 18K rose gold case, brushed and polished – Sapphire crystal front and back – 30 m water resistance – Openwork dial/movement with anthracite finish – Gold-plated markers and hands with SLN – Manufacture HMC 814 caliber – Automatic winding with skeleton rotor – One-minute tourbillon with double hairspring – 21,600 vibrations per hour – 72 hour power reserve – dark brown alligator nubuck leather strap with pin buckle – permanent collection – 85,400 CHF excl. VAT
David Candaux DC7 Blue Hawk
The DC7 Blue Hawk by independent master watchmaker David Candaux tilts its exposed flying tourbillon escapement by 30°. This angle mitigates the influence of gravity on the hairspring even more than a normal tourbillon and improves chronometric stability. It regulates the hand-wound caliber H70, which is also tilted into the case, but this time by 3°. The all-titanium case is hand-polished and features Candaux's patented Magic Crown and a blue titanium sandwich dial. It is limited to 8 pieces and is worn on a rubber strap with various buckle and clasp options, priced at 149,000 francs.
For more information, visit DavidCandaux.com.
Quick facts – 44 mm x 14 mm – Polished grade 5 titanium case – Asymmetrical basin shape – Sapphire crystal front and back – Retractable “Magic” crown – Blue multi-stage sandwich dial – Applied markers and hands with SLN – Exposed 30° inclined tourbillon escapement – Caliber H70, hand-wound – in-house – 21,600 vibrations per hour – 72 hour power reserve – Haute Horlogerie finishing – Rubber strap with Velcro fastener, folding clasp or pin buckle – Limited edition of 8 pieces – 149,000 francs excl. VAT
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