The tourbillon is one of the most fascinating watch complications we know and was developed over 200 years ago. The name of the complex constructions comes from the French and translated means "whirlwind". In this article, we will explain the function of the tourbillon, go over the different common "whirlwind" types, and conclude by presenting some excellent tourbillon watches from the product portfolio of well-known brands.
Tourbillon: Function and explanation
The tourbillon is a device of mechanical watches, which is designed to improve the accuracy of the movement. In simple terms, it consists of a bogie - not unlike a cage - that holds the balance, balance spring, pallet and escape wheel. The bogie, in turn, is connected to the fourth wheel via the shaft on which it sits, which acts as the drive for the cage. As the fourth wheel rotates through 360° every minute, the bogie also completes a full revolution. As a result, the center of gravity of the balance shifts in the course of the rotation, which should reduce or, at best, completely prevent position and center of gravity errors.
Incidentally, despite its complexity, the tourbillon mechanism that wraps around the pallet, escape wheel, balance and hairspring is lightweight. Modern tourbillons weigh just 0.3 g on average. Considering this fact, it becomes even clearer what a filigree mechanism we are dealing with here.
Why is a tourbillon important in a watch?
But what is the point of it all? To understand the purpose of a tourbillon, you need to know about the influence of gravity on the technology at the heart of the watch. For example, if a pocket watch lies at the same angle for a long time, this favors minute changes in the center of gravity of the balance and hairspring, causing the rate regulator to move away from its optimal position right in the center of the balance staff. Logically, the result is undesirable rate deviations. The tourbillon successfully counteracts precisely these gravity-induced deviations in the rate and is thus one of the complications that are particularly useful for pocket watches and watches that are not worn on the wrist.
By their nature, wristwatches constantly experience small movements triggered by the wearer's activity, which often makes them less susceptible to unreliable rate behavior due to gravity. The purely functional benefit of a tourbillon in inhibiting rate deviations is thus limited when the watch is worn on the wristband. Nevertheless, tourbillon watches enjoy great popularity even in this form and are considered an aesthetic masterpiece of watchmaking art that captivates watch lovers with its sophisticated mechanics.
Tourbillon: a look at its history and development
Like so many groundbreaking inventions, the tourbillon entered the stage of the watch world out of sheer necessity. Its development can be dated back to the end of the 18th century. A time when there were no wristwatches, which is hard to imagine from today's perspective. At that time, timepieces were mainly carried as pocket watches and were usually stowed in the vest pockets of the wearers, where they lay vertically and were thus exposed to the maximum force of gravity. The lack of accuracy caused by the effects of gravity in this position became a problem for which a solution had to be found.
It was none other than Abraham Louis Breguet who succeeded in presenting a satisfactory solution for greater precision of the movement. The French watchmaker, whose customers included Marie-Antoinette, set to work and received a patent for his innovative invention a few years later. So when tourbillons are mentioned today, the great name of Abraham Louis Breguet is rightly mentioned in the same breath.
The different types of tourbillon mechanisms
Since Breguet invented tourbillons, the mechanisms have been developed several times and built in different types. We now take a look at the variety of tourbillons that have emerged from this over time.
One variation of the tourbillon is the carousel mechanism. Here, the mainspring barrel of the watch is used as a rotational bearing, with the balance and movement placed on a kind of rotating frame called a carousel. This particular complication can be traced back to Danish watchmaker Bahne Bonniksen and adds significantly more weight than Breguet's classic tourbillon.
Another variation of the tourbillon is the flying tourbillon according to Alfred Helwig, his character's master watchmaker from Glashütte. In this version, the upper bridge is missing, so the cage rests only on the bottom of the bogie. The flying tourbillon by Alfred Helwig exists since 1920.
The so-called gyro tourbillon delights with technical finesse and compensates for changes in the position of a watch, but reaches its limits when it comes to dynamic disturbances. The mechanism, which originates from Jaeger-LeCoultre, rotates the balance around three integrated axes in a sophisticated manner and represents a technical masterpiece in which aesthetics are paramount.
A comparatively new type of tourbillon is called a double-axis tourbillon, double tourbillon or double tourbillon. Developed in 2003 by Thomas Prescher and released a year later by the Greubel Forsey brand, this is a combination of a small tourbillon and a large tourbillon frame. Due to two axes, the compensation of position changes should take place even more effectively with this variant - resulting in the greatest possible precision. The double tourbillon was followed a little later by the triple-axis tourbillon, which adds another axis to the construction and was also invented by Prescher.
Tourbillon vs. other movements: What's the difference?
Not every watch has a tourbillon, which does not necessarily mean that the accuracy of models without this complication suffers significantly. After all, nowadays there are hardly any people who carry their watches around in trouser or jacket pockets, as was common with pocket watches. The place of a timepiece is typically on the wrist, where the watch remains in motion anyway and the influence of gravity is much less than with a pocket watch in a static position.
In addition, there are technically incredibly powerful and thoughtfully designed movements, which can impress with impressive precision without a tourbillon "escapement system". In short, the complication of the tourbillon is no longer a prerequisite for accuracy. Tourbillon watches are nevertheless highly prized, as they are symbols of the highest watchmaking art and make the hearts of die-hard watch fans beat faster with their special mechanics.
What does a tourbillon cost?
No matter whether it is the classic Abraham Louis Breguet design, a flying tourbillon or another version: tourbillons are complex mechanisms, which is naturally reflected in their price. For example, for a high-quality tourbillon made in a traditional manufacture in Switzerland, you have to spend at least €4,000. Cheaper tourbillons, on the other hand, which are mass-produced in Asia, can sometimes be had for less than €1,000. Such affordable models are mass-produced and often serve their purpose, but no longer have much in common with the traditional craftsmanship that goes into a tourbillon elsewhere.
The top tourbillon watches on the market today
If you want to call a piece of watch history your own and purchase your own "whirlwind", you will find it at various renowned watch brands. Below, we present five watches with tourbillon technology in more detail:
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Concept GMT
Audemars Piguet incorporates the tourbillon in its Royal Oak Tourbillon Concept GMT watches, among others, which have now achieved legendary status. The exquisite timepiece presents itself in a sporty look, but also contains plenty of extremely elegant elements and makes quite a visual impact. The watch, which features a case made of sandblasted titanium, a green bezel and noble hands made of rose gold, has skeletonized bridges, thus revealing rose gold cage components as well. A spectacular sight that makes the watch with two time zones an impressive eye-catcher and a must-have for tourbillon fans.
A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar
The Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar model from A. Lange & Söhne's Lange 1 series is an enormously complicated watch that stands out first and foremost for its perpetual calendar. Also integrated are a moon phase display, a big date, a day of the week display, and a day-night display, resulting in an exceedingly powerful package of functions. And not to forget: The high-quality timepiece from A. Lange & Söhne Manufacture is equipped with a tourbillon, which can be admired through the sapphire crystal case back.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Grand Tourbillon
As the inventor brand of the Gyrotourbillon, Jaeger-LeCoultre naturally also has some Tourbillon watches in its range. The Grand Tourbillon models of the successful manufacturer are available in a nice selection and are, for example, available in yellow and white gold with bracelets made of precious metals or finest leather. Priced well above the average, such a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch exudes pure luxury in every version and is a piece of jewelry that brings together breathtaking aesthetics with the highest precision and amazing technology.
Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle Tourbillon
Vacheron Constantin's Traditionnelle collection is, in a way, a tribute to 18th century Geneva Haute Horlogerie, authentically transporting the charm of that era to the present day. It includes some models with tourbillon, appearing with a stunningly harmonious combination of simple straightforwardness and rich elegance. Some items in the popular collection are skeletonized so that the tourbillon can be observed at work, while others feature eye-catching decorative elements on the dial and intricately engraved bezels. All the while, there's no mistaking that each and every watch is a luxury product of the finest quality.
TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer - 02T Tourbillon
Sporty, masculine and loaded with function: The Carrera Heuer Tourbillon watches from luxury brand TAG Heuer immediately catch the eye and have a powerful appeal that is hard to resist. The timepieces on straps made of leather, precious metal or rubber impressively demonstrate how technical know-how and extravagant design elements combine to create expressive watches - resulting in products that are guaranteed to cause a stir in the world of watch connoisseurs. TAG Heuer uses technically flawless tourbillons, which do their duty behind the skeletonized dial, and combines them with no less powerful calibers and other complications, such as the small seconds.
The future of the tourbillon: technological advances and innovations
More than 220 years have passed since Breguet invented the tourbillon. A time in which a lot has happened: The tourbillon has been modified and developed several times, has always been a big topic in the watch scene, and has managed to remain more than relevant to this day. The truth is, of course, that the times when the tourbillon was almost indispensable for precise watches without rate deviations are over. And yet: the "whirlwind" among timepiece complications is as "in" as ever. Therefore, we cannot assume that the tourbillon will disappear from the scene in the future. Rather, we can probably look forward to one or the other still coming innovative further development of the tourbillon - we are curious!
Conclusion - Tourbillon: a complex and fascinating mechanism
What began with Breguet continues to this day: tourbillon watches evoke pure fascination among watch enthusiasts worldwide and are not infrequently the centerpieces of large watch collections. From the flying tourbillon to the triple-axis tourbillon to the gyro tourbillon, the designs now come in numerous versions, making the subject even more exciting. Yet one thing always remains the same: the tourbillon is always an expression of the best watchmaking and reliably enhances watches.