The Tourbillon watches is considered one of the pinnacles of watchmaking complications – a symbol of mechanical precision that defies gravity. With technological advancements such as ultra-thin designs and skeletonized structures, the Maison continues to redefine the possibilities of what is possible in luxury Tourbillon watches. When it comes to the Tourbillon, the Manufacture sets new standards. The eye-catching complication enhances a watch’s visual appeal to the full extent of its motto, “always do better than necessary.” And the Tourbillon watch is the shining star of watches. Here are seven Tourbillon watches with high-tech designs.
Richard Mille RM 50-02 ACJ
In collaboration with Airbus Corporate Jets, a luxury aircraft manufacturer, Richard Mille designed an engineering miracle with an extremely modern-styled Tourbillon at 6 o’clock. In addition to the split-seconds chronograph for measuring lap times, the power indicator at the 2 indicates the tension left in the barrel. The rotary display at the 4 shows the position of the crown. An alloy of titanium and aluminum, 30 pieces, valued at $1,050,000, manufactured at RM 50-02.
Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari Sapphire
A vertically positioned Tourbillon complements 11 vertical barrels in this very extreme watch from Hublot, which work together to provide 50 additional days of power reserve. With the watch, a battery-operated screwdriver is supplied to wind the mainspring. It is made of sapphire, 28.4 mm by 45.8 mm, and it has a manufacture Caliber LaFerrari, which is hand-wound. It sells for $575,000.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie
Tourbillons add additional visual impact to the open styling of this new technological masterpiece from Audemars Piguet. In addition to its eye-catching design, the watch also features a special audible treat by way of the most precise and loudest minute repeater in the entire watchmaking industry—a Titanium watch, 44 mm, caliber 2937, hand-wound, for 520,000 Swiss francs.
Ulysse Nardin Grand Deck Marine Tourbillon
This watch only features a classically designed Tourbillon. In this highly unconventional time display, two disks form a jumping hour while a third disk makes up the second hour with slender cables, minutes are pulled along a linear scale. Rolling these threads resembles the action of the winches on a sailing yacht that tightens the lines around the mast. Christophe Claret is a hand-wound Caliber UN 630 in white gold, 44mm, 18 pieces, $280,000.
Cartier Rotonde de Cartier Earth & Moon
How about a Tourbillon that indicates the moon’s phase? You may think that this is insane, but Cartier does it precisely like this. Push the 4 o’clock push-piece, and a circular disk of stone carved from a meteorite moves, so the “whirlwind” is visible for a bit of time after the moon passes its momentary phase. The watch is 47 mm, manufactured by Caliber 9440 MC, hand-wound, and has 15 pieces, priced at $239,000.
Montblanc 4810 ExoTourbillon Slim
There are also “ordinary” tour packages available. Montblanc’s interpretation of classical horological beauty comes at a comparatively affordable price, with a closed dial and a Tourbillon in a dedicated aperture. It has a rose gold bracelet and 42-mm diameter, manufactured by Caliber MB 29.21, automatic movement, $33,500.
Christophe Claret X-TREM-1
Damascene steel has a characteristic wavy grain, which makes the Christophe Claret X-Trem-1 look even more extreme. In 2012, this watch set a new standard in technology: the Tourbillon is situated diagonally, making it hard to connect the Tourbillon to the movement. Floating balls are magnetically pulled through tubes to display the hours and minutes together with the “whirlwind.” This piece is made from damascene steel and rose gold, manufactured by Caliber FLY11, and it cost $308,000.
