If you are currently in the market for a high-end watch, then you may have come across the term Tourbillon. You might be particularly curious about its meaning since watches that bear the Tourbillon name and complication are often far more expensive than watches that do not. However, there are some pretty good reasons that Tourbillon watches command higher prices than other types of timepieces.
In today´s guide, we will examine the meaning of the term, its function, and the different watches that boast the Tourbillon complication.
What Is A Tourbillon?
Literally speaking, Tourbillon is a French word that means “whirlwind” in English. Whether you are saying the word in French or in English, it generally retains the same pronunciation: tour-bee-yon. That said, there are slight variations, as English speakers tend to put greater emphasis on the letter “n,” while French speakers usually put greater emphasis on the last “o” sound in the word.
In any case, Tourbillon refers to a specific watch complication designed by Swiss-born horologist, Abraham-Louis Breguet, in 1795. Breguet spent most of his working life inventing new watch complications and mechanisms in France, which is why he gave one of his greatest inventions a French name, Tourbillon. At the time of its creation, Breguet was keenly aware of the impact that gravity had on pocket-watches when held in various positions.
The force of gravity can actually affect the tiny mechanisms within a watch, reducing precision and accuracy in the process. So, Breguet devised the Tourbillon complication to counteract gravity and help maintain the best possible precision in his watches. To this day, the Tourbillon complication remains one of the most revolutionary advancements in the world of timekeeping.
Breguet gave the complication its name due to the mesmerizing, spiral movement created by the Tourbillon. Since most Tourbillon watches make their inner-mechanisms visible, this creates an enhanced visual experience. Thus, “whirlwind” is an apt description of the Tourbillon’s constant, circular movements. However, it’s important to note that not all watches that show their inner-workings (often known as “skeleton” watches) feature Tourbillion complications. For this reason, it is best to seek out the advice of a professional or a trusted retailer to confirm that your watch is, in fact, a genuine Tourbillon timepiece.
How Tourbillon Watches Work
The Tourbillon mechanism essentially puts some of a watch’s most important timekeeping mechanisms inside of a rotating enclosure. More specifically, the escapement — which transfers energy from the power source to the counting mechanism — is put inside a type of cage that slowly rotates (usually one rotation per minute). This rotation counteracts the force of gravity, ensuring that the escapement can continue its constant rhythm without any outside interference.
The rotation of the Tourbillon movement also helps ensure that the position of a pocket-watch (or wristwatch) does not affect its ability to tell the time precisely. Essentially, when a mechanical watch is held in certain positions, gravity puts additional force on the tiny pieces that move based on precise complications. By putting them inside a rotating case, gravity and the position of the watch cannot affect these pieces in any significant way.
The Double Axis Tourbillon
Though the Tourbillon has been around since the late 18th Century, it has seen various improvements over the years. For example, in 1977, watchmaker Anthony Randall invented the Double Axis Tourbillon, sometimes known simply as the Double Tourbillon. However, it would be decades before Randall’s invention would be implemented in consumer wristwatches.
The most distinguishable characteristic of the Double Tourbillon is its use of two axes that complete a rotation exactly once per minute. Additionally, the Double Tourbillon is powered by a constant-force mechanism that helps equalize the effects produced by the watch spring, as well as friction and gravity. This ensures that an even degree of force is always put on the oscillation system, further reducing the risk of inaccuracy.
The Triple Axis Tourbillon
The Triple Axis Tourbillon (often known as the 3 Axis Tourbillon or Trible Tourbillon) was first introduced in 2004. Watchmaker Thomas Prescher invented the complication, which was one of the first examples of a constant force Tourbillon built into a wristwatch. As the name implies the Triple Tourbillon features a 3 axis design with 3 distinct, rotating cages.
The third rotating cage is particularly unique, as it allows for jewel bearings, as opposed to the traditional ball bearings used in most complications. Not only does this enhance the precision of any wristwatch with this design, but it also greatly enhances the value. In fact, there are very few brands that actually offer Triple Axis Tourbillon wristwatches, as they are both complex and expensive to manufacture.
The Flying Tourbillon
Despite being one of the most unique and modern versions of the Tourbillon complication, the Flying Tourbillon dates all the way back to 1920. Designed by Alfred Helwig, a teacher at the esteemed German School of Watchmaking, the Flying Tourbillon uses the same functionality as the original Tourbillon while changing its exterior structure. Rather than being supported by a bridge on both the top and the bottom, the Flying Tourbillon cantilevered, which means that it is only given support on one end.
The unique design of the Flying Tourbillon watch has led to various imitations over the years, including a semi-flying Tourbillon with an abbreviated carriage. While these designs do not make inherent improvements to the functionality of the Tourbillon complication, they do make it easier to implement Tourbillon movements in a larger range of watch designs. Thus, it is more common to see Flying Tourbillon mechanisms in high-end wristwatches from various brands and manufacturers.
The Gyrotourbillon
Though the exact date of the first Tourbillon wristwatch is often debated, it is widely believed that Jaeger-LeCoultre made the first one available to consumers in 1993. Nearly a decade later, the company would release its primary line of Tourbillon watches, known as the Gyrotourbillon watch. This watch is most notable for its combination of features, in addition to the Tourbillon complication that ensures its precision and accuracy.
The Gyrotourbillon I features a Double Axis Tourbillon, a calendar, and even a time equation mechanism. However, this was just the beginning. Since the first iteration of the Gyrotourbillon, the company has developed several variations. That said, all of the watches in the Gyrotourbillon line feature very large, thick wristwatches, making them a fashionable statement piece.
The Bottom Line
The Tourbillon watch has a long and storied history. Nonetheless, many watch enthusiasts are relatively unaware of the Tourbillon as both a watch complication and an important part of the progress of timekeeping over the last few centuries. Moreover, most watches do not contain Tourbillon complications, as they are highly complex and expensive to manufacture.
However, their intricacy and cost has also made Tourbillon complications a sign of luxury and opulence among high-end watch owners. Additionally, some Tourbillon watches are incredibly rare, with only a few hundred pieces in circulation. Fortunately, you can still acquire lavish Tourbillon watches through various physical and online retailers.
We hope you found our Tourbillon watch guide useful! If you’d like to learn more about buying a luxury watch, feel free to contact the experts at Ashford today!
