Independent watchmaker Sylvain Pinaud launched his first timepiece, a monopusher chronograph, in 2018, followed by the Origin, a time-only watch, in 2021. In recent years, his work has gained recognition among connoisseurs and the watch industry, winning several awards from the prestigious GPHG. For Geneva Watch Week 2026, it is time for him to present his interpretation of one of the greatest classics of watchmaking: the tourbillon.
As the son of a family of watchmakers, Pinaud's path seemed almost predetermined. The son of a watchmaker, he became involved in watchmaking from an early age and received formal training at the prestigious Lycée Edgar Faure in Morteau – an institution that has produced many figures in the new wave of independent watchmaking. After graduating in 1998, he began his professional career working for others, most notably in Geneva for Franck Muller. But rather than following a conventional industrial career, Pinaud focused on restoration and the development of complications, disciplines that sharpened his technical expertise and knowledge of traditional watchmaking. He settled in Sainte-Croix and participated in various projects, including work associated with Carl F. Bucherer, who had just taken over THA, the movement manufacturer once associated with masters such as François-Paul Journe, Denis Flageollet and Vianney Halter. These years proved formative, allowing Pinaud to hone his craft over nearly two decades before emerging into the spotlight under his own name.
That moment came in 2018 with the unveiling of its first watch, a monopusher chronograph. A massive undertaking for a single watchmaker, this chronograph was designed and executed with an artisanal approach. Its construction and completion attracted attention and earned Pinaud the title of “Meilleur Ouvrier de France” that same year. A later reinterpretation of the piece, developed in collaboration with Massena LAB, was later awarded Best Chronograph at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG 2024). In 2021, Pinaud introduced the Origin, a three-hand watch that further defined his aesthetic language. With its asymmetrical dial layout and distinctive balance wheel at six o'clock, the piece emphasized chronometry while maintaining a distinctive visual identity… and in 2022, Pinaud was awarded the Horological Revelation Prize at the GPHG.
Now, in 2026, Sylvain no longer works alone with a team of almost 10 people in his workshop in Sainte-Croix. To mark Watches and Wonders Watchmaking Week, Sylvain Pinaud presents his latest creation: a tourbillon watch that builds on the design codes and craftsmanship approach of Origin while introducing an additional level of technical complexity.
At first glance, the watch retains Origin's asymmetrical elegance. The case has been slightly refined and now measures 39mm in diameter – compared to 40mm on the Origin. But the real development lies within. As the name suggests, the watch has a tourbillon escapement that deserves a close look. Instead of using a traditional one-minute tourbillon, Pinaud opted for a 30-second rotation, a relatively unusual choice. This faster cadence gives the movement a remarkable dynamic. Pinaud deliberately chose not to place a second hand directly on the tourbillon cage. Instead, it has retained its asymmetrical dial architecture and integrated a separate seconds display into a large 11mm counter, offering better readability than a through-the-cage seconds display. In addition, its 60-second rotation creates a fascinating interaction with the 30-second rotation of the tourbillon.
To withstand the rapid rotation of the tourbillon, the cage is made of titanium, allowing for a 20% weight reduction. The 9.1 mm balance has variable inertia and a Phillips curve. The power reserve of this hand-wound movement is comfortable, with up to 100 hours of autonomy.
Another notable feature is particularly relevant for a tourbillon/chronometric instrument. The Sylvain Pinaud Tourbillon is equipped with a zero reset mechanism. When the crown is pulled out to set the time, the second hand immediately returns to zero (while the tourbillon continues to beat) thanks to a heart-shaped cam. When the crown is pushed back, the mechanism is released and the second hand resumes its movement.
The Sylvain Pinaud Tourbillon will initially be offered in three limited series of ten pieces each. A titanium version features a full titanium movement, giving it a more modern and technical character. The other two are made of platinum and feature a Maillechort (nickel silver) movement, except for the beautifully executed gold barrel bridge on the back. The price is CHF 180,000 (excl. taxes).
For more information, visit sylvain-pinaud.com
https://monochrome-watches.com/sylvain-pinaud-unveils-the-new-tourbillon-30-second/