Introduction of Tourbillon, Its Evolution, and How It Works

A symbol of the highest level of luxury in horology, the tourbillon is a fascinating mechanism to explore. Invented at the dawn of the 19th century, the tourbillon was intended to solve the mechanical challenges in the said era. As the world of watchmaking advances, the watch movement or complication has transformed into one of the most prestigious features in modern watchmaking. 

So, what is it that makes a tourbillon movement special? Why is the movement so highly coveted by watch collectors? Let’s explore the introduction to the tourbillon and all the crucial information pertaining to the movement below!

Introduction of Tourbillon

Tourbillon is French for “whirlwind”. It was invented by Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1795 to improve a watch’s accuracy by counteracting errors caused by gravity in timekeeping devices. In technical terms, a tourbillon is an addition to a watch escapement’s mechanics. Tourbillon mechanism involves mounting an escapement and balance wheel to a rotating cage to eliminate errors by distributing weight so the movement can maintain the balance.

The once-per-minute rotation balances the gravity-induced errors which then improve the watch’s accuracy. Due to the complexity of the design and the required skills to assemble the movement, the tourbillon is often exclusively found in luxury watches.

As the advancement in the watchmaking world marches on, the tourbillon experiences innovation in its materials and designs. Today, there are new variations of the tourbillon, some of which are the flying tourbillon and the multi-axis tourbillon. 

Tourbillon Evolution

In the late 1700s, timekeeping devices only consisted of clocks and pocket watches. Those who bring pocket watches constantly store them vertically inside a pocket or horizontally on a table. This habit resulted in the strain on the hairspring inside the watch’s escapement, which affected the irregular oscillation and caused a decrease in accuracy.

Breguet came up with a tourbillon, an escapement that moves constantly in a rotating cage. The constant motion helped offset the effect of gravity when a watch was put in different positions. This invention worked on pocket watches, not so much on wristwatches. 

Following Breguet’s invention, the tourbillon underwent numerous changes and executions. In 1889, Girard-Perregaux introduced the Three Gold Bridges (La Esmeralda), a pocket watch featuring the regulating mechanism and the brand’s three-bridge signature.

Over 30 years after La Esmeralda, Alfred Helwig envisioned a dynamic variation of a tourbillon with a single bridge secured to the movement via a hidden link. His students then presented the first flying tourbillon in 1920 under his supervision. This design achieved widespread fame, which continued to the present day.

The tourbillon found its newfound popularity in the lattermost of the 1900s. In the years after the wide use of quartz technology in the 1970s and 1980s, many watch enthusiasts longed for mechanically powered timekeeping devices again. Audemars Piguet took the chance to craft the first self-winding tourbillon watch in 1986 thanks to the ultra-thin caliber 2870.

After the launch of the Audemars Piguet tourbillon watch, the world found a new appeal in the long-forgotten feature in horology. The tourbillon was no longer considered a technological solution to a horological problem; instead, it transformed into an artistic treasure that added the horological value of a watch.

How Does Tourbillon Work?

When discussing the introduction of the tourbillon, we cannot leave out the understanding of the mechanism itself. A tourbillon has a complex mechanism that aims to counteract the effect of gravity on the accuracy of a watch. At its basic level, a tourbillon contains the balance with its escape wheel, lever, and spring. The fourth wheel usually connects and powers the rotating cage.

Together, the fourth wheel and the tourbillon achieve one full rotation per minute, which helps offset gravity-induced deviations. This helps a watch achieve the highest possible accuracy. Every type of tourbillon has different characteristics and complexities. Some of the common examples are flying tourbillon, single-axis tourbillon, and double-axis tourbillon.

Read also: How Do Mechanical Watches Work? Scrutinizing The Inner Parts 

What Makes Tourbillon Special?

In general, a tourbillon is not just a technical achievement in horology. The modern watchmaking world refers to the complication as an artistic feature that is highly coveted in luxury timepieces. Here are several aspects that make a tourbillon a one-of-a-kind invention:

• Aesthetic value: Displayed tourbillon allows a watch to improve its aesthetic value. The intricate mechanism is always in motion, which evokes a captivating visual that adds to a watch wearer’s experience.
• Birth of innovation: More than an old-time invention, the tourbillon inspires the innovation in design and engineering that leads to the creation of the flying tourbillon and the like that showcase the unstoppable creative flow in the world of horology.
• Exceptional craftsmanship: A tourbillon is a complication crafted by exceptional skills in the field. By the hand of experienced watchmakers, every component is meticulously crafted and assembled.
• Luxury feature: The high level of craftsmanship required to make a tourbillon makes the feature exclusive in horology. For this reason, the tourbillon is often found in luxury watches, and owning them signifies exceptional sophistication.

Why Are Tourbillon Watches Expensive?

Mechanical watches are generally expensive. It’s no wonder that a tourbillon watch is more highly priced than common watches. As one of the most difficult complications to assemble, a tourbillon requires expert skills and incredible precision. A tourbillon is a tiny mechanism that only weighs under a gram and contains more than 40 parts.

Tourbillon watches are mostly expensive because the special feature has to be finished by hand. Additionally, it’s made from lightweight materials, like aluminum and titanium. Traditionally, a tourbillon is created with a special set of tools. Even with highly skilled craftsmen, it requires a lot of time to finish a tourbillon.

The cost of the tools, the watchmakers, and the materials makes a tourbillon a luxury feature to make. Despite being invented centuries ago, the tourbillon still manages to capture the fascination of watch enthusiasts in the modern day. Its old-school display elevates the prestige of a timepiece. Simply said, a tourbillon is not a symbol of a bygone era but living proof of the fine craftsmanship that defines horology.

Modern Tourbillon Watches

A tourbillon is mostly found in really expensive watches. Its delicate complexity can only be treated by watchmakers with exceptional skills. For luxury item collectors who wish to expand their collection and add a unique flavor with a tourbillon watch. Here are some of the tourbillon watches that leave their mark on today’s market:

1. Patek Philippe Tourbillon

Launched in 2001, the Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon “988,” ref. 5002, was regarded for its complexities. What makes it a genuinely treasured item is the merging of the tourbillon and a platinum case that houses 12 complications. As a result, the watch embodies the meticulousness of mechanical execution.

2. Jaeger-LeCoultre Tourbillon

As one of the watches that featured a multi-axis tourbillon, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Gyrotourbillon 1 made an impression in its debut in 2004. The ref. 600.64.06 which was released in 2017 was a contemporary example of a luxury watch that features multiple complications and premium materials.

3. Vacheron Constantin Tourbillon

Vacheron Constantin took a chance to combine multiple luxury horology features in its tourbillon watches. The Malte Tourbillon ref. 30672 was the prime example, as it gathered and combined select exceptional features, including a skeletonized aesthetic, a set of diamond and sapphire platinum cases, and the brand’s signature stylized tourbillon.

Read also: Watch 101: What are the Balance Springs for Watches?

4. Richard Mille Tourbillon

The second generation of the Richard Mille Tourbillon introduced the RM002-V2. Launched in 2009, the special all-grey model sports a signature of the brand and the undeniable luxury of the tourbillon.

5. Yema Tourbillon

In its 75th anniversary, Yema reveals the Yachtingraf model, which blends the intricacy of a tourbillon and the functionality of a tide complication. The Yema Yachtingraf Tourbillon Mareographe 75th Anniversary Steel emphasizes technical innovation and practical utility for less than 10,000 USD. 

Combining sportiness and elegance, the Yema tourbillon watch is crafted in 316L stainless steel with a case that features vertical brushes, a circular brushed bezel, and polished beveled lugs. At 42.5 mm in diameter and 12.3 mm in thickness, the tourbillon watch offers a nicely balanced proportion.

To showcase the highlight of the watch, the exhibition caseback provides a view of the CMM.30 tourbillon caliber. Watch enthusiasts can appreciate the watchmaking intricacies of the delicate mechanism within. For a personalized touch, Yema adds the outer ring of the caseback with the elegant engraving of a unique limited edition number (XX/75).

The CMM.30 (Calibre Manufacture Morteau 30) has a unique tourbillon design that ensures the most optimal performance. It combines the premium components from Franco-Swiss and fascinating architecture. The organs are made in Switzerland, while the crafting is done entirely by Olivier Morya. As for the bridges and main plates, Yema manufactures them in the Morteau workshops.

To operate, the CMM.30 features a free-sprung barrel wheel that regulates isochronism, allowing the watch to stabilize and maintain a lasting accuracy. The wearer can adjust the watch in six positions, which ensures an accuracy of -3 to +7 seconds per day.

In addition to the free-sprung barrel, the CMM.30 has a single barrel that grants the watch a 105-hour power reserve. The escapement can reduce friction inside the machinery, which helps optimize the entire mechanism, guaranteeing the precision and longevity of the components.

Final Thoughts

The tourbillon movement leaves a significant mark on the watchmaking industry. It’s regarded as the invention that advances horology. To this day, the tourbillon is considered one of the most highly coveted features in luxury watches. While today’s watch movements have evolved beyond the need to deal with gravity-induced errors, the tourbillon still has exceptional artistic value or prestige in the eyes of watch enthusiasts.

Adding a tourbillon watch to a collection can show the depth of someone’s horology understanding. However, it’s worth remembering that the price of a tourbillon watch can soar as high as any luxury item in the watchmaking industry because its historical significance cannot be denied despite the passing of centuries. All in all, owning a tourbillon watch may elevate one’s status in the watchmaking world as long as the budget covers the need.

Read also: High End Watches: What Reasons Makes Them Very Expensive?