Montblanc Tourbillon Bi-Cylindrique
Montblanc Collection Villeret 1858 with cylindrical double balance-spring
Master watchmaker Demetrio Cabiddu and his colleagues pursued a daring idea. Would it be possible to miniaturize and transplant the precisely beating heart of an 18th-century ship’s chronometer into a tourbillon rotating inside the case of a wristwatch? This steadily beating heart is an escapement with a cylindrical balance-spring, thanks to which ship’s chronometers were able to tick so steadily and so precisely two centuries ago, that despite turbulent waves and extreme temperature variations; mariners could rely on them to navigate across entire oceans.
The Montblanc Collection Villeret 1858 again presents an exclusive innovation that differs in many respects from anything that modern haute horlogerie has created until today. Not only is this the first wristwatch with a tourbillon escapement and a cylindrical double balance-spring, the newcomer also delights connoisseurs by revealing the mechanisms and the mode of function of the legendary heures mystérieuses display.
This new timepiece epitomizes the working philosophy cultivated at the Montblanc manufacture in Villeret, which grew from the manufacture Minerva, originally founded in 1858. Only very few watch manufactures can look back upon an uninterrupted history of comparable length. Throughout these years, the artisans in Villeret continued to work according to the tried-and-tested methods of the best Swiss watchmaking tradition.
Their art is haute horlogerie, and it is primarily practiced by hand. Rare indeed are the master watchmakers who have achieved consummate expertise in the methods and working techniques which are indispensable for this outstanding and exclusive form of watchmaking. Bearing in mind this method of working and the manufacture’s extraordinarily extensive vertical range of production of balances and their spirally coiled springs, it goes without saying that only individual pieces and exceedingly small series can be crafted.
Only a unique piece in platinum and eight timepieces with 18 carat white gold cases and another eight with 18 carat red gold cases will be made. According to Florian Brossard, the Project Coordinator at the Institut Minerva De Recherche En Haute Horlogerie, one can’t really put a price tag on something that can be handed down from one generation to the next but for those who are curious to know how much would a piece of Swiss perfection made by the best artisan master watchmaker costs, the Tourbillon Bi-Cylindrique will set one back at least RM200,000. [ source >> ]
Quadruple Tourbillon by Greubel Forsey
The spherical differential linking the four tourbillon carriages of the Quadruple Tourbillon is a prime example of Greubel Forsey’s inventive approach, as it exhibits an unprecedented degree of complexity, refinement and timekeeping performance.
Four asynchronous tourbillons independently contribute to its high precision. The spherical differential acts like a car’s differential in distributing torque between two wheels while allowing them to rotate at different speeds.
The asymmetrical format of the two double tourbillons provides clear visibility to all carriages on the dial side, enables an additional lateral view through the side-window and eliminates the necessity for a larger movement diameter – all in a highly distinctive elegant case.
Portuguese Tourbillon Mystere Squelette watch
IWC has created a new majestic skeletonized tourbillon watch to join its legendary Portuguese collection. Crafted in rose gold, white gold, or platinum, the timepiece is available in a limited series of 50 pieces.
The IWC Portuguese Tourbillon Mystere Squelette watch reveals the intricate nature of the open-worked movement enriched by the exclusive art of renowned engine-turning and engraving master Jochen Benzinger.
The case of the new IWC Portuguese watch measures 44.2 mm in diameter and is fitted with sapphire crystals on both front and back. The nicely contrasting brushed and polished finishes of the finely processed 18K gold or platinum accentuate the intricacy of the movement bridges.
The glance is immediately fascinated by the flying tourbillon found at 12 o’clock. The unique horological complication comprises 81 individual parts, weighing just 0.443 gram. The tourbillon is mounted from underneath, completing one revolution per minute. It bears a screw-adjusted balance wheel with a blued Breguet balance spring.
The heart of the timepiece is Calibre 50910, an exceptional IWC in-house automatic movement. The mechanism incorporates the innovative Pellaton winding system. Offering the considerable power reserve and unveiling the superb tourbillon, Calibre 50910 is a true masterpiece of Swiss Watchmaking.
The IWC Portuguese Tourbillon Mystere Squelette watch is 30-meter water-resistant. It is coupled with an elegant crocodile leather strap fitted with an IWC 18K gold or platinum folding clasp.
The initial version of the IWC Portuguese watch appeared in 1938, having highlighted the 20th century history of the brand. The timepiece was created by the request of two Portuguese businessmen who needed a wristwatch of uncommonly large proportions and utmost timekeeping precision. The distinctive yet elegant Portuguese watch has gradually grown into a whole family of timepieces, one of the most highly acclaimed IWC collections.
Below the tourbillon you will notice the subsidiary seconds display, while the power reserve indicator is found at 4 o’clock, keeping the watch’s owner aware of the status of the 7-day mainspring reserve. The balance frequency is 19,800 alternations per hour.
The Richard Mille RM 027 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal
Watch Mechanism Design
Seen in the early days of Roland Garros Rafael Nadal at the wrist, the RM 027 Tourbillon Richard Mille watch is the lightest on the market with a 20 gram only without the bracelet, so much so that Rafael Nadal will put it on your wrist during his training and his games. Powered by a movement made (The Richard Mille RM 027 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal, A Luxury Limited Edition Watch Design—The Richard Mille RM 027 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal Watch Mechanism Design)
Concord C1 Tourbillon Gravity
A watch is essentially useless. In today’s modern world, everyone is carrying a cellphone, which does everything a watch can do, and more. Therefore, a watch can be considered the ultimate luxury, and a luxury watch the most luxurious possession one could own. I’m not really into luxury, but the pointlessness of luxury watches sometimes captures my imagination. Recently, I came across the Concord C1 Tourbillon Gravity, and I must say that the visible vertical tourbillon mechanism is quite nice.
Very creactive