What is a Tourbillon in a Watch?

If you are anything like me, you find watches fascinating. They are truly marvels of mechanical engineering. Despite a number of innovations, they have used the same basic way of functioning since their birth in the 16th Century.

A wristwatch does more than just tell the time. I love the various complications available on modern timepieces. From something as simple as the date to the complexities of moon phases and world calendars, these additional functions only add to that wonderful feeling of wearing your favorite watch.

Perhaps the most complex and mesmerizing of complications is the tourbillon. A tourbillon is an amazing mechanism that rotates the balance wheel and escapement while they function. A tourbillon is a visible part of the workings of a watch, generally in an open-heart dial. Tourbillon is the French word for “whirlwind”. If you’ve ever seen one, you know that is a fitting moniker.

The story of the tourbillon, how it works, and why it was created is as engaging as the complication itself. 

How Tourbillons Operate

The purpose of the tourbillon is to counter the effects of gravity on the balance wheel and escapement. These effects can impact the accuracy of a mechanical watch. To understand how a tourbillon functions, we need to look at how a mechanical watch keeps time. 

The power source of a mechanical watch is the mainspring. When you wind it, potential energy is stored. As the mainspring unwinds, kinetic energy turns the gear system that moves the hands. 

The escapement is what keeps the mainspring from unwinding all at once. It consists of the balance wheel, hairspring, and pallet fork. The hairspring causes the balance wheel to oscillate back and forth, and the pallet fork stops the action on each oscillation to turn it back the other way. 

The escapement keeps the balance wheel oscillating at a specific frequency. It turns the gears that drive the second hand to one revolution around the dial per minute, the minute hand one rev per hour, and the hour hand one rev per 12 hours. 

In a well-made timepiece, the escapement functions with a high level of precision. But, remember our old friend gravity from science class? The force that pulls everything down creates drag on the escapement. This can alter the oscillation frequency and reduce the level of precision. 

That, boys and girls, brings us to the tourbillon. This brilliant mechanism is essentially a cage around the escapement that rotates it, generally at a rate of 1 RPM. With the escapement constantly changing position, the effects of gravity are nullified, and precise timekeeping is preserved.

History of Tourbillons in Watches

The tourbillon was the brainchild of a brilliant watchmaker, Abraham-Louis Breguet. Never one to back down from a challenge (he also invented the rotor that winds automatic watches and several other innovations), Breguet invented the ingenious tourbillon to solve the gravity problem. The company that bears his name makes some of the finest tourbillon watches on the planet.

As time went on and the science and art of watchmaking developed, more sophisticated tourbillons that rotated on multiple axes were created. When wristwatches became popular, horologists built tourbillons for them. Today, a tourbillon is a symbol of prestige and good taste.

Different Types of Tourbillons

When people started wearing wristwatches and pocket watches that went out of vogue, the problem of gravity became more challenging. Unlike pocket watches that remain in a vertical position most of the time, a wristwatch sits in many different positions as the wearer moves their arm throughout the day. 

To combat the issue, horologists developed several different types of tourbillons. In addition to fighting gravity more effectively, they are incredibly fun to watch. I have a friend with a beautiful two-axis tourbillon. A group of us were having dinner one night, and several of our party could not stop looking at his watch. They are that cool.

Single Axis Tourbillon

The original tourbillon and the most common type is the single axis. It rotates around one axis, perpendicular to the dial. Many watch enthusiasts love their simplicity and elegance. They blend nicely into the dial while they do their job.

Multi Axis Tourbillon

Because wristwatches are constantly changing position, tourbillons needed to evolve to counter gravity in more than one axis. Multi-axis tourbillons, as the name implies, turn around two or even three axes. 

This improves accuracy when the watch is in multiple positions and multi-axis tourbillons are spectacular pieces of engineering that are incredible to see in action. 

Double & Quadruple Tourbillon

Just when you thought tourbillons couldn’t get any more sophisticated, along come double and quadruple variants. The level of engineering and craftsmanship in these watches is incredible. They feature either two or four cages that rotate at different speeds. 

Both precision and the wow factor are boosted exponentially. Sporting a double or quadruple tourbillon will make you the envy of your horological friends.

Flying Tourbillon

The flying tourbillon is a brilliant innovation that steps things up yet another level. A standard tourbillon is anchored by a top and bottom bridge. The flying variation lacks a top bridge. Rather than the cage rotating on its central axis, the entire mechanism moves in a small circle. 

This gives the visual effect of the tourbillon floating around the dial. A flying tourbillon effectively improves precision and is one of the most stunning horological displays you will ever see. 

Gyro Tourbillon

If you are familiar with the use of a gyroscope in aviation and nautical travel, you will understand the value of the gyro tourbillon. An extension of the multi-axis type, the gyro tourbillon turns on an axis perpendicular to the dial and another parallel to it. 

Similar to how a gyroscope functions, this type of tourbillon minimizes the effects of gravity. It is also one of the most fascinating displays you will ever see on a high-end timepiece. You may not even notice the hands.

Top 5 Tourbillon Watches on Exquisite Timepieces

If you are in the market for a tourbillon watch, check out Exquisite Timepieces. We have a wide selection of these stunning watches. Here are the top 5 most popular.

Omega De Ville Tourbillon Chronometer Numbered Edition 43mm (ref. 529.53.43.22.01.001)

It’s not surprising that Omega has a watch on this list. The world-class horologists at the brand’s Atelier Tourbillon designed this stunning manual-winding central tourbillon that is master chronometer certified. The 43 mm case is a blend of 18K Sedna gold and 18K Canopus gold with an 18K Sedna gold bezel. 

The black sun-brushed dial is nicely contrasted by gold hands and indices, and a black leather strap with an 18K Sedna gold buckle fits in with the colorway. The tourbillon is the feature that draws your eye with its titanium bridge and 18K Sedna gold polished second hand attached. 

A sapphire crystal and exhibition case back are scratch-resistant and provide a view of the gorgeous Master Co-Axial Chronometer Calibre 2640 movement. The movement features a power reserve indicator that displays what you have left on the generous three-day reserve.

Blancpain Villeret Tourbillon Volant Heure Sautante Minute Retrograde (ref. 66260-3433-55B)

Blancpain is a world-renowned brand that makes some of the finest timepieces you will ever see. The Villeret Tourbillon Volant features a beautiful flying tourbillon that truly appears to fly about on its rounds. 

The case is available in either 43m platinum or 43mm 18K red gold. The dial is white grand feu enamel with silver hands. This is the first Blancpain watch to feature a retrograde minute hand and an hour window. The design is unique, elegant, and uncluttered. 

The sapphire crystal and exhibition case back offers a full view of the dial and movement while protecting them. You can choose between a black or brown alligator strap lined with alzavel or an 18K gold Milanese mesh bracelet. 

H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Tourbillon Skeleton (ref. 6814-1200)

H. Moser & Cie. have a long and storied history of creating fine timepieces and have hit new heights with the Streamliner Tourbillon Skeleton. The 40mm stainless steel silver cushion-shaped case houses the Caliber HMC 814 movement. The skeleton dial and exhibition case back allows you to view the movement and stylish tourbillon from either side. 

The hands and indices are 5N gold-plated, and the hands have Globolight inserts. The stainless steel integrated bracelet adds to the unique design. The automatic movement has a 72-hour power reserve, and the water resistance is 120 meters; much more than the average tourbillon watch.

Breguet Classique Double Tourbillon 5345 Quai de l’Horloge (ref. 5345PT/1S/7XU)

No list of tourbillon watches would be complete without a model from Breguet, whose founder invented the complication. The Classique features a 46mm case in either platinum or 18K red gold. The skeleton dial shows off the movement including not one, but two tourbillons. 

A sapphire chapter ring with blue Roman numerals and blue hands adds to the unique and stylish design of the dial. An exhibition case back gives a view of the manual Caliber 588N movement, and the watch is protected front and back by a sapphire crystal. 

You can choose a black leather or blue rubber strap with a triple folding clasp to secure your timepiece to your wrist. The 50-hour power reserve lets you go a couple of days between windings. 

Jacob & Co. Brilliant Flying Tourbillon Diamonds White Gold on Strap (ref. BT543.30.BD.BD.B)

If you like a flashy watch with plenty of bling, this offering from Jacob  & Co. is right up your alley. The large 47mm 18K white gold case is invisibly set with 205 Baguette-cut white diamonds. The dial is white gold as well and set with 146 diamonds, and even the crown features 14 stunning gems. Leaf-shaped blue hands contrast the dial nicely. This watch will definitely be noticed.

The manual movement has a whopping 100-hour power reserve, and the white alligator leather strap secures with an 18K white gold deployant clasp. The main attraction, however, is the incredible flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock. A bit too ostentatious for my taste, if you have the cash to buy one, this Jacob & Co. model could be the ultimate addition to your collection

Conclusion

Complications add functions to watches and make them more than just timekeepers. Perhaps no other complication stands out as much as a tourbillon. Designed to improve accuracy, these incredible mechanisms come in several types and add a new level of sophistication, artistry, and coolness to any watch.