tourbillon

The tourbillon is one of the most fascinating watch complications known to man, having been developed over 200 years ago. The name of this complex construction comes from the French and translates as "whirlwind." In this article, we explain the function of the tourbillon, discuss the different common types of "whirlwinds," and conclude by introducing some outstanding tourbillon watches from the product portfolios of well-known brands.

Tourbillon: Function and explanation

A tourbillon is a device in mechanical watches designed to improve the accuracy of the movement. Simply put, it consists of a rotating carriage—not unlike a cage—that houses the balance wheel, balance spring, anchor, and escape wheel. The rotating carriage, in turn, is connected via the shaft on which it sits to the seconds wheel, which drives the cage. With the rotation of the seconds wheel, which completes 360° every minute, the rotating carriage also completes a complete rotation. As a result, the center of gravity of the balance shifts during the rotation, which is intended to reduce or, ideally, completely eliminate position and center of gravity errors.

Incidentally, despite its complexity, the tourbillon mechanism, which incorporates the anchor, escape wheel, balance wheel, and balance spring, is extremely lightweight. Modern tourbillons weigh an average of just 0.3 g. Considering this fact, it becomes even clearer how delicate a mechanism we're dealing with here.

Why is a tourbillon important in a watch?

But what's the point of all this? To understand the purpose of a tourbillon, you need to understand the influence of gravity on the technology at the heart of the watch. If a pocket watch, for example, is held at the same angle for a long time, this promotes tiny changes in the center of gravity of the balance wheel and balance spring, causing the regulator to move away from its optimal position, precisely at the center of the balance staff. The logical result is undesirable rate deviations. The tourbillon successfully counteracts precisely these gravity-induced deviations in rate and is therefore one of the complications that are particularly useful for pocket watches and watches that are not worn on the wrist.

By their very nature, wristwatches constantly experience small movements triggered by the wearer's activity, which often makes them less susceptible to unreliable timing due to gravity. The purely functional use of a tourbillon to prevent rate deviations is therefore limited when worn on a wrist. Nevertheless, tourbillon watches enjoy great popularity even in this form and are considered an aesthetic masterpiece of watchmaking, captivating watch lovers with their sophisticated mechanics.

Tourbillon: A look at its history and development

Like so many groundbreaking inventions, the tourbillon entered the watchmaking world out of sheer necessity. Its development can be dated back to the end of the 18th century, a time when wristwatches did not yet exist, which is hard to imagine today. Timepieces at that time were predominantly carried as pocket watches and usually stored in the wearer's vest pockets, where they lay vertically and were thus maximally exposed to the Earth's gravity. The lack of accuracy caused by the effects of gravity in this position became a problem that required a solution.

It was none other than Abraham Louis Breguet who succeeded in presenting a satisfactory solution for greater precision in the movement. The French watchmaker, whose clientele included Marie Antoinette, set to work and received a patent for his innovative invention a few years later. Whenever the tourbillon is mentioned today, the great name of Abraham Louis Breguet is quite rightly mentioned in the same breath.

The different types of tourbillon mechanisms

Since Breguet invented tourbillons, the mechanisms have been refined and built in various styles. We now take a look at the variety of tourbillons that have emerged over time.

A variation of the tourbillon is the carousel mechanism. In this case, the watch's mainspring barrel serves as a rotating bearing, with the balance wheel and movement mounted on a rotating frame, the carousel. This special complication originates from the Danish watchmaker Bahne Bonniksen and is significantly heavier than Breguet's classic tourbillon.

Another variation of the tourbillon is the flying tourbillon, designed by Alfred Helwig, a master watchmaker from Glashütte. This version lacks the upper bridge, meaning the cage rests solely on the underside of the carriage. Alfred Helwig's flying tourbillon has been around since 1920.

The so-called gyro-tourbillon impresses with its 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 wheel in a sophisticated manner around three integrated axes and represents a technical masterpiece in which aesthetics takes center stage.

A relatively new type of tourbillon is called the double-axis tourbillon, or double tourbillon. Developed by Thomas Prescher in 2003 and launched a year later by the Greubel Forsey brand, this tourbillon combines a small tourbillon with a large tourbillon frame. The two axes are designed to compensate for changes in position even more effectively in this variant—resulting in the greatest possible precision. The double tourbillon was followed shortly thereafter by the triple-axis tourbillon, which adds another axis to the design and was also conceived by Prescher.

Tourbillon vs. other watch movements: What's the difference?

Not every watch has a tourbillon, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the accuracy of models without this complication suffers significantly. After all, these days, hardly anyone carries their watches in their trouser or jacket pockets, as was common with pocket watches. A timepiece is typically worn on the wrist, where the watch remains in motion anyway and the influence of gravity is significantly less than with a static pocket watch.

Added to this are technically incredibly powerful and thoughtfully designed movements that deliver impressive precision without the need for a tourbillon "escapement system." In short: The tourbillon complication is no longer a prerequisite for precision. Tourbillon watches are nevertheless highly valued, as they are symbols of the highest watchmaking craftsmanship and their unique mechanics make the hearts of die-hard watch enthusiasts beat faster.

How much does a tourbillon cost?

Whether classic Abraham Louis Breguet-style, a flying tourbillon, or another design, tourbillons are complex mechanisms, which is naturally reflected in their price. For a high-quality tourbillon made in a traditional Swiss factory, for example, you'll need to spend at least €4,000. More affordable tourbillons, mass-produced in Asia, can sometimes be had for under €1,000. Such affordable models are mass-produced and often serve their purpose, but they 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'd like to own a piece of watch history and acquire your own "whirlwind," you'll find what you're looking for at various renowned watch brands. Below, we'll introduce five watches with tourbillon technology in more detail:

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Concept GMT

Audemars Piguet incorporates the tourbillon into, among other things, the Royal Oak Tourbillon Concept GMT watches, which have now achieved legendary status. This exquisite timepiece boasts a sporty look, but also incorporates numerous extremely elegant elements and is visually impressive. Featuring a sandblasted titanium case, a green bezel, and elegant rose gold hands, the watch features skeletonized bridges, revealing rose gold cage components. A spectacular sight that makes the dual-time-zone watch 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 the Lange 1 series by A. Lange & Söhne is a watch rich in complications, distinguished above all by its perpetual calendar. It also features a moon phase display, a large date display, a day-of-the-week display, and a day/night indicator, resulting in an extremely powerful functional package. And not to be forgotten: This high-quality timepiece from the A. Lange & Söhne manufactory is equipped with a tourbillon, which can be admired through the sapphire crystal case back.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Grand Tourbillon

As the inventor of the gyrotourbillon , Jaeger-LeCoultre naturally also has several tourbillon watches in its range. The successful manufacturer's Grand Tourbillon models are available in a beautiful selection, for example, in yellow and white gold with bracelets made of precious metals or the finest leather. Such a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch, priced well above average, exudes pure luxury in every version and is a piece of jewelry that combines breathtaking aesthetics with the utmost precision and astonishing technology.

Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle Tourbillon

Vacheron Constantin 's Traditionnelle collection is a true homage to 18th-century Genevan haute horlogerie, authentically transporting the charm of that era into the present. It includes several models with tourbillons, offering a strikingly harmonious blend of simple, straightforward design and rich elegance. Some items in this popular collection are skeletonized, allowing the tourbillon to be observed at work; others feature striking decorative elements on the dial and elaborately engraved bezels. Each individual watch clearly demonstrates the luxury of the highest quality.

TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer – 02T Tourbillon

Sporty, masculine, and feature-packed: The Carrera Heuer Tourbillon watches from the luxury brand TAG Heuer immediately catch the eye and possess a powerful aura that's hard to resist. The timepieces, mounted on leather, precious metal, or rubber straps, impressively demonstrate how technical expertise and extravagant design elements combine to create expressive timepieces—products guaranteed to turn heads in the world of watch connoisseurs. TAG Heuer uses technically flawless tourbillons, which perform their duties behind the skeletonized dial, and combines them with equally powerful calibers and other complications, such as the small seconds dial.

The future of the tourbillon: technological advances and innovations

More than 220 years have passed since Breguet invented the tourbillon. A lot has happened in that time: The tourbillon has been modified and further developed numerous times, has always been a major topic in the watchmaking world, and has managed to remain more than relevant to this day. Of course, the days when the tourbillon was virtually indispensable for precise watches with no deviations in rate are over. And yet: the "whirlwind" among timepiece complications is as "in" as ever. Therefore, it is unlikely that the tourbillon will disappear from the scene in the future. Rather, we can probably look forward to experiencing one or two future innovative developments of the tourbillon – we are excited!

Conclusion - Tourbillon: a complex and fascinating mechanism

What began with Breguet continues today: Tourbillon watches evoke pure fascination among watch enthusiasts worldwide and are often the centerpieces of large watch collections. From the flying tourbillon to the triple-axis tourbillon to the gyro-tourbillon, these designs are now available in numerous versions, making the subject even more fascinating. One thing remains constant: the tourbillon is always an expression of the finest watchmaking and reliably enhances watches.