What is a tourbillon? How to distinguish the 5 tourbillon types

Today we will tell you about tourbillon complications and answer all the most frequently asked questions about tourbillons.

What is a tourbillon?

Tourbillon is a mechanical complication found in the movements of some high-end mechanical watches. It was invented during the pocket watch era and is both hypnotic and fascinating to watch. Watches with tourbillons are generally a bit expensive compared to watches without tourbillons. It's not the most common complication you'll encounter in a watch, but it's definitely one of the most fun.

What does a tourbillon look like?

Sometimes an inexperienced watch dealer may confuse a watch with a semi-skeleton dial with a visible balance wheel, known as an "Open Heart", for a tourbillon. That's why when you're looking for one, it's important to contact a watch expert from a reputable company before purchasing. Be sure to read on to learn how to quickly spot a genuine tourbillon watch when you come across it and avoid ending up with a disastrous nightmare.

Why do some watches have a tourbillon?

The purpose of the tourbillon is to solve a problem experienced in many mechanical watches with the way physics affects the precision and accuracy of their mechanisms. Gravity is a force that creates a frictional effect on watches' mechanisms when they are held in certain positions.

What is the purpose of the tourbillon?

One of the most challenging things watchmakers face when adjusting a pocket watch is the effects gravity plays on the caliber or movement. A tourbillon functions as a way to counteract the frictional effect created by gravity when some of the smaller components in a watch's escapement are held in certain positions.

How does a tourbillon watch work?

The tourbillon places some parts of the watch's internal mechanics (the balance wheel and escapement) inside a rotating cage. The escapement is a mechanism component consisting of the mainspring, balance wheel and escapement. A tourbillon watch slowly rotates this cage, which holds the above-mentioned components, usually at a rate of 1 revolution per minute; This compensates for the negative effects of gravity when the watch is held in certain positions and helps eliminate positional errors in accuracy.

The mechanism diagrams and photographs clearly show how the escapement is mounted on the tourbillon cage and the balanced rotation of the cage.

Who invented the tourbillon?

Abraham-Louis Breguet developed the mechanical mechanism (aka complication) that we call tourbillon today in 1795. Breguet was also famous for inventing other devices that revolutionized the world of watchmaking, such as the rotor we find in self-winding automatic watches.

It's no surprise that many Breguet watches often feature tourbillons. The word "Tourbillon" is a French term meaning "hurricane". If you take a close look at a working tourbillon watch, the name fits perfectly. It has a fascinating spiral movement that can be quite hypnotic.

What is the thinnest tourbillon in the world?

BVLGARI has introduced the world's thinnest tourbillon in the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon, shown below, which uses the new, ultra-thin and Bulgari in-house Cal.BVL 268 movement. The 11 jewel movement is only 1.95 mm thick and has a power reserve of approximately 55 hours.

Are there different types of tourbillons?

Absolutely! Tourbillons have evolved a lot since they were first invented. In fact, there are quite a few new types of tourbillons available. Some luxury watchmakers are getting really creative in the way they implement a three-axis tourbillon. Below you'll find a few video examples of some of the more innovative ones.

Biaxial and triaxial tourbillons

The multi-axis tourbillon is a new innovation to the traditional tourbillon; here the escapement is mounted on a cage that is rotated around multiple axes. A three-axis tourbillon (also known as a tri-axial tourbillon) is a tourbillon that rotates on three different axes. The dual-axis tourbillon, on the other hand, rotates in only two axes.

Below, Jacob & Co. Includes a video demo of the Astronomia Triple-Axis Tourbillon in action.

Isn't that nice?

Below is another three-axis tourbillon video. This time the Girard-Perregaux Tri-Axial Tourbillon is shown in action.

Double and quadruple tourbillons

A double or quadruple tourbillon is a watch with more than one tourbillon complication, as in the Greubel Forsey Quadruple Tourbillon "À Différentiel Sphérique" model. Adding multiple tourbillons to a watch is kind of a new trend.

Flying Tourbillons

A flying tourbillon is assembled differently than a traditional tourbillon. Most are mounted with a bearing system such as a bridge or support on each side. What makes the flying tourbillon different is that it is supported from only one side.

Below is the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Flying Tourbillon Skeleton video

gyrotourbillons

In 2002, the first gyrotourbillon was created by two talented watchmakers; Designed by Ms. Magali Metrailler and Eric Coudray. It rotates (gyrates) on more than one axe, hence its name. Not many of these were produced, and Jaeger-LeCoultre had a few models, each produced in very limited editions.

Feast your eyes on the Gyrotourbillon video below.

Should You Buy a Tourbillon Watch?

Yes, but only if you can handle a pretty demanding watch.

Why is tourbillon so expensive?

The tourbillon is a serious watch and will draw a lot of attention to your wrist. Many collectors consider tourbillon watches to be some of their most prized possessions. So to answer the question: Only buy one if you think you can handle it.

How much does a tourbillon watch cost?

They are not cheap. Prices start with a low 5-digit tag and can go up to millions depending on the manufacturer, model, and also whether it is a new or second-hand tourbillon watch.

Which is the cheapest tourbillon watch?

A tourbillon watch is, by definition, a serious luxury item. A COSC certified, brand new, Swiss made tourbillon from a reputable watchmaker like TAG Heuer normally starts at a list price of around XXX and goes up. You can find a brand new one from some cheaper and much lower market non-luxury brands, but ones that no serious watch collector would ever recommend.

Swiss Made Tourbillons

Largely because tourbillons were invented by a Swiss watchmaker and are predominantly manufactured in Switzerland to this day, they are so synonymous with Swiss watches. There are other countries that produce these, but very few can make them at a quality close to what Swiss watchmakers do. However, there are a few exceptions. Probably the only other country producing high-quality tourbillons is the Saxon-German watchmakers in Glashütte, Germany, a watchmaking town south of Dresden.

Many Swiss watchmakers produce tourbillon movements, and these are usually quite costly. However, some are more affordable than others. Recently, TAG Heuer launched the Carrera 02T Tourbillon Chronograph, which is considered the most affordable, high-quality, in-house manufactured tourbillon to come out of a reputable Swiss watch brand.

Click here to read the review or watch our in-house video demo below to see it in action.

German Made Tourbillons

A few notable German watchmakers producing high-quality tourbillon complications are Lange & Söhne and Glashütte Original. These are two watches from highly respected watchmakers who produce excellent tourbillons.

A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Tourbillon Pour le Mérite - (Read the review below)

A Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Tourbillon Pour le Mérite Review

Glashütte Original Senator Sixties Square Tourbillon

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