As the year comes to an end, here’s what we love when it comes to tourbillon watches
The tourbillon, if anything, is one of the most emblematic complications in fine watchmaking. First invented in 1795 by Abraham-Louis Breguet, this complication has evolved into the most exciting facets of modern-day watchmaking. And it is not only about the prestige of having wearing a watch with such an eye-catching complication, but also the knowing the technical ingenuity of the tourbillon itself. On that note, we shifted through this year’s tourbillon-equipped timepieces, and here are the watches that truly spoke to us:
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Frosted Gold Flying Tourbillon
Audemars Piguet presented a new take on its women’s Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon this year, which pursues the collection’s interweaving of complicated micro-mechanics and refined feminine aesthetics. To that end, the brand combines a multi-layered dial composed of four juxtaposed circles of increasing size and graded hues of blue with the Royal Oak Concept’s case shimmering finish, which is adorned with Frosted Gold for the first time. On top of that, the watch also highlights the flying tourbillon – a high-end complication which is considered today as one the greatest expressions of watchmaking – with an elegant touch of brilliant-cut diamonds. Available in 18K pink or white gold, the purity of this contemporary watch makes for a true statement piece.
Bvlgari Serpenti Seduttori Tourbillon
Introduced at this year’s LVMH Watch Week Dubai, the indisputable highlight of the 2020 debuts from Bvlgari was the new Serpenti Seduttori Tourbillon. As the smallest women’s tourbillon watch, this unique small-sized timepiece is specially designed to fit inside the sleek dimensions of the serpent-head case. We are talking, naturally, about the latest incarnation of Bvlgari’s most iconic watch: the Serpenti. Driving the watch is a rare tourbillon movement for women, the BVL150 Caliber. This movement represents that synthesis of Swiss knowledge and jewellery-making savoir-faire that only Bvlgari can execute. Finally, the new Serpenti Seduttori Tourbillon models come in rose gold or white gold with diamond pavé and a leather strap or white gold with diamond pavé and a full diamond bracelet.
De Bethune DB28 Kind of Blue Tourbillon Milky Way
For some years now, starry skies and the Milky Way have been an integral part of De Bethune’s history. On that note, the brand paid homage to this inspiration with the DB28 Kind of Blue Tourbillon Milky Way, which features a 43mm case in polished grade 5 titanium. Upfront, the brand’s signature “De Bethune Delta” minute bridge comes in hand-finished and mirror-polished titanium. As the first piece to depict the Milky Way, this watch enshrines time in De Bethune’s high-frequency, ultra-fast tourbillon. In short, the DB28 Kind of Blue Tourbillon Milky Way is not only an aesthetic success, but also an icon in the making.
H. Moser × MB&F Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon model
In a spirit of sharing and openness, H. Moser & Cie. and MB&F have jointly created two models: the Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon H. Moser × MB&F model and also the LM101 MB&F x H. Moser. For the former, H. Moser & Cie. has borrowed from MB&F’s concept of three-dimensional movements. Hence, the watch itself is protected by a sapphire dome and also features a one-minute flying tourbillon that rises above the main dial through a ventricular opening at 12 o’clock. Available in five different versions and presented in a steel case topped by all of the fumé dial varieties, this limited edition watch successfully blends the technical and aesthetic elements from both of these independent manufactures.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon Moon
Jaeger-LeCoultre unveils its latest Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon Moon in its Master Ultra Thin collection, which epitomises the manufacture’s philosophy of uniting technical virtuosity with enduring beauty. In this new model, the timepiece combines two of horology’s most cherished complications for the first time in the maison’s long history: a moon phase and a tourbillon, with the addition of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s signature peripheral “jumping” date. To top it off, the watch is presented in a case made of Le Grand Rose gold — a new pink gold alloy with a remarkable sheen and depth of colour, and is highly resistant to fading over time — and an eggshell-white dial that places all the emphasis on the moon phase display and tourbillon.
