While no more than twenty years ago, tourbillons were a rarity, today they have invaded watchmaking to the extent that they now risk seeming mundane.
The enduring popularity of the tourbillon perhaps owes more to the complexity of its construction and the fascinating spectacle it plays out on the wrist, than to its actual timekeeping qualities. Because, as we all know, Breguet invented the tourbillon to resolve an issue peculiar to the pocket watch which, worn vertically in the pocket of a gentleman’s waistcoat, was constantly subjected to the effects of gravity from the same direction. A wristwatch, on the other hand, changes its position all the time. Unless, like Antoine Preziuso below, you put three of them together...
But, technical considerations aside, there is no reason to deprive oneself of the pleasure of having a microcosm such as this on the wrist!
TOURBILLON OF TOURBILLONS by Antoine and Florian Preziuso
J12 TOURBILLON VOLANT SQUELETTE by Chanel
‘HANNIBAL’ MINUTE REPEATER WESTMINSTER CARILLON TOURBILLON JAQUEMARTS by Ulysse Nardin
1770 ROSE GOLD by Manufacture Royale
TOURBILLON SAPHIR ULTRANERO by Bulgari
INACCESSIBLE TOURBILLON RÉPÉTITION MINUTE by Franc Vila
BIG BANG TOURBILLON POWER RESERVE 5-DAYS INDICATOR by Hublot
Source: Europa Star March 2015 Magazine Issue