Maybe you have heard the word “tourbillon” before – or maybe it’s entirely new to you. The concept of a tourbillon might sound confusing, but don’t worry, we’ll break it down for you. In short, a tourbillon is a mechanical complication that you can find in the movements of some high-end mechanical watches. Typically, watches with the tourbillon complication are a bit more expensive than watches that do not have this complication… So if you’re going to invest a higher dollar in a tourbillon watch, it’s important that you understand this mechanism and why it is so desirable!
Today, we’re going to talk about all things tourbillons: what they are, why they are so popular, and where you can get a tourbillon watch on today’s market. Let’s dive in!
What Is a Tourbillon?
In the world of horology, a tourbillon is an addition to the mechanics of a watch escapement. Its purpose is to improve the accuracy of the watch. The word “tourbillon” comes from French, and it means “windmill.” Tourbillons were invented during the era of pocket watches, and many horological enthusiasts find them fascinating to watch in action.
Of course, the tourbillon is not just an aesthetic addition to the watch. The tourbillon complication was introduced to help watchmakers address the challenge of gravity. In short, gravity has a drag effect on some of the smaller components in a timepiece’s escapement when the timepiece is held in certain positions. Tourbillons were meant to counteract this effect.
They were first introduced in 1801, when Swiss luxury watchmaker Bregeut patented the mechanism. Since the 1800s, tourbillons have come a long way, but their purpose remains the same: improving the accuracy of a wristwatch.
Fun Fact: There is some debate in the horological world about whether or not Bregeut’s original tourbillons were actually effective. Modern mechanical watches do not need a tourbillon to be highly effective. Some believe that the early tourbillons could not do much to truly influence the accuracy of mechanical watches in the 1800s due to the inherent inaccuracy of older manufacturing and design techniques. Nowadays, while tourbillons are not strictly necessary, they are seen as markers of prestige and artistry.
How Does a Tourbillon Work?
A tourbillon places the balance wheel and escapement of a watch into a rotating cage. (The escapement is a component of a watch’s movement consisting of the hairspring, balance wheel, and pallet fork). Then, the tourbillon watch will slowly rotate the cage holding these components, typically at a rate of 1 RPM. This rotation is meant to counteract the adverse impact that gravity can create and iron out positional errors in accuracy.
Since the 1800s, a few different types of tourbillons have been developed:
In our modern world, luxury watches do not depend on tourbillons for accuracy. Current manufacturing and design techniques have far surpassed those of 200 years ago. So then why do some modern timepieces still incorporate the tourbillon complication?
Modern Tourbillon Watches
Even though tourbillons are not strictly necessary for precise timekeeping these days, they are still highly valued in the world of luxury watches and watch collectors. Many horologists see this phenomenon as somewhat similar to the price difference between Swiss luxury mechanical watches and Japanese quartz watches. While quartz watches can be just as accurate, there is an element of prestige and artistry in the Swiss watches that collectors hold dear – and are willing to pay significantly more for.
Swiss watch brands dominate the world of high-quality tourbillon wristwatches, and they are typically very expensive, realizing six-figure price tags routinely. Any watch with a tourbillon is sure to cost significantly more to the same watch without the tourbillon feature. There has been an uptick of interest in tourbillon watches in recent years, and although this has prompted some brands (like Audemars Piguet) to make more of them, they are still quite difficult to get your hands on, prompting many collectors to turn to secondary market sellers like Avi & Co.
It’s also worth noting that many modern tourbillon watches showcase this enviable feature through an openworked dial or display, that shows off the watch’s most expensive attribute. In addition to this decorative effect, the tourbillon can also act as a second hand for some watches – remember, most tourbillons rotate at a rate of 1 RPM.
Oftentimes, watchmakers will add a tourbillon to a limited edition watch, upping its value and collectibility. Sometimes, horological creators do this to help mark a special occasion, as with this Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore timepiece:
This Royal Oak Offshore was created in 2020 to celebrate the collection’s 25th anniversary in a batch of just 50 pieces worldwide. The exclusivity and limited edition nature of the watch makes it a collectible timepiece to begin with, but the tourbillon feature ups the ante even further, elevating this watch to truly elite status. True to form, Audemars Piguet shows off its attractive and mesmerizing tourbillon function with a skeletonized dial that gives the wearer a glimpse at the inner workings of this gorgeous timepiece.
Where to Find a Tourbillon Watch
If you are looking to get your hands on a modern tourbillon timepiece, looking on the secondary market is usually the way to go. As we saw in the previous example, with the Audemars Piguet watch highlighted above, many of these timepieces are produced in limited runs and are difficult to get your hands on directly from the manufacturer. Often, purchasing a watch directly from the maker means jumping through a lot of hoops.
For instance, the waitlist for a Patek Philippe Nautilus is said to be about eight years long. Swiss watchmaker Richard Mille recently created a special edition watch in collaboration with McLaren Automotive. In addition to shelling out for a $300,000 price tag, prospective owners also had to show paperwork demonstrating that they owned a McLaren in order to be considered to receive an original Richard Mille x McLaren timepiece.
This is where the secondary market comes into play. When you shop for luxury timepieces on the secondary market, you get the opportunity to pay for what you want, when you want it. The most important consideration is simply to work with a dealer you know and trust, like Avi & Co. We have been in business in New York’s Diamond District for over fifteen years, and we have now spread out across the country with upscale boutiques in Manhattan, Miami, and Aspen. If you’re looking for a tourbillon watch, we can help you find it! You’ll even see some incredible tourbillon timepieces in our inventory today.
For instance, check out this Richard Mille RM 21-02, picture below. This futuristic watch combines avant garde style with mechanically superior timekeeping, resulting in a completely one-of-a-kind look. Richard Mille is among the hallowed Swiss watchmakers who love playing with creativity and innovation in their unique watch designs, ultimately resulting in striking timepieces like this white carbon model with a skeletonized dial that reveals the incredible artistry of the tourbillon movement. With a price tag of over $900,000, this RM is undoubtedly one of the brand’s most coveted timepieces.
Audemars Piguet is another watchmaker that seems to love showcasing tourbillon movements. Within the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept line, where the brand often experiments with zany and unexpected designs and showcases some enviable collaborations, tourbillons are a common occurrence… at least for those who can afford to purchase one of these timepieces. This Royal Oak Concept Spider Man Tourbillon will cost you over a quarter of a million dollars.
Shop Tourbillon Watches at Avi & Co.
At Avi & Co., we have a breadth and depth of watch world connections like no other. We specialize in the world’s hottest watch brands and models, with a focus on elite labels like Patek Philippe, Rolex, Richard Mille, and Audemars Piguet. We can help you take your watch collection to the next level by sourcing your most-wanted tourbillon timepieces. So what are you waiting for? Come visit us at one of our three luxury boutiques, located in Aspen, Miami, and Manhattan and experience true luxury for yourself.
Make an appointment today to get a truly personalized experience at our upscale locations.
