Fancy Dress Tourbillons
As lofty as the tourbillon is, as revered a position as this prestigious horological feature holds among the cognoscenti, gravitas has not rendered it immune to the bling treatment.
2,293 articles · 4 videos found · page 58 of 77
Breguet's 1801 rotating-cage escapement, explained.
Alfred Helwig's 1920 tourbillon variant with no upper bridge; the entire cage is visible.
Twelve years on, the watch that introduced chiming complications to Jacob & Co. returns with a transparent red mineral crystal dial and meaningful mechanical updates.
42.8 mm × 11.4 mm, lug 22 mm, Cal. R 27 HU
As lofty as the tourbillon is, as revered a position as this prestigious horological feature holds among the cognoscenti, gravitas has not rendered it immune to the bling treatment.
Revolution
The basic idea behind the tourbillon is to take the escapement and put it in a mechanically driven mount (or a group of nested mounts, in the case of the family of orbital tourbillons) in order to create a single average rate in all the vertical positions - and in many instances, to create a […]
SJX Watches
The second-generation Ulysse Nardin (UN) Freak X proves that good things can come in small(er) packages, with an all-new micro-rotor calibre powering the Freak’s signature ‘flying carousel’ architecture. The new movement debuts in a smaller 41 mm steel case with an interchangeable strap system. Initial thoughts There’s a lot to like about the updated Freak X. It retains the wandering tourbillon-style architecture that UN describes as a flying carousel, powered by an all-new micro-rotor calibre that’s been upgraded with the brand’s DiamonSil escapement package. It’s also noticeably smaller than the outgoing model, while boasting superior water resistance thanks in part to the collection’s first screw-down crown. Strap options have been expanded thanks to an interchangeable strap system that includes a stainless steel bracelet. These upgrades come with a modest increase to retail pricing, which starts at US$41,200 — essentially the same price as one of the special edition versions of the first-generation Freak X. Some will mourn the ‘downgrade’ from titanium to steel, but that’s a relatively minor issue given the reduced case size, and furthermore the release of titanium options in the future seems all but guaranteed. Smaller but better When the Freak debuted 25 years ago, it shocked the industry with its novel construction, which integrated the entire going train and escapement into an enormous minutes hand. The Freak X keeps the overall look mostly ...
WristBuzz
MB&F;'s twelfth Horological Machine is a flying-tourbillon wristwatch that docks inside a 15 kg, nearly 400 mm tall transforming robot companion, and only 36 will ever exist
SJX Watches
Girard-Perregaux (GP) is starting the year with an ambitious new calibre inside the Minute Repeater Flying Bridges, the in-house GP9530. Also equipped with a tourbillon, the symmetrical, skeleton movement is a micro-rotor automatic, making for an exciting pairing of complications. Notably, even during GP’s heyday as a manufacture, it depended on specialists for its repeater movements. The GP9530 is the brand’s first in-house minuter repeating calibre (though it does borrow from an earlier striking movement created with the help of a complications specialist). The strikework is exposed on the dial, while the reverse reveals the winding mechanism under circular bridges. Initial thoughts In the past couple of years GP has been slowly making a comeback, after a few slow years, as a serious and motivated manufacture. The comeback started with the release of the reworked constant-force escapement and accelerated with last year’s unveiling of the workhorse GP4800 and the GP9620 skeleton tourbillon. This is in some ways a return to form. Historically GP was a powerhouse in this respect, making complicated movements under its own name as well as supplying movements, both complex and simple, to other high-end brands. At that time, however, GP still did source repeater movements from the likes of Christophe Claret. In time, the evolution of the industry reduced the need for such outsourced movements, and the marquee’s lustre dulled. The Minute Repeater Flying Bridges and its ...
SJX Watches
For IWC, 2024 is the year of the Portugieser. The collection receives a full refresh that covers the Portugieser Automatic 40, Portugieser Automatic 42 (previously known as the 7 Days), Portugieser Chronograph, and Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 44. In addition, IWC has introduced an all-new model, the Portugieser Hand Wound Tourbillon Day & Night with a flying (and hacking) tourbillon. The standout debut, however, is without question the Portugieser Eternal Calendar – which we cover in a separate story. With the facelift, IWC has refined its core collection with subtle nips and tucks, including slimmer cases, while retaining the familiar design. The revamp includes new liveries including metallic finish dials in baby blue and champagne. The champagne finish, known as “Dune” Initial thoughts I’ve always enjoyed the aesthetic of the Portugieser collection, which is perhaps the only collection of dress watches of any brand where the (over)sizing is a feature rather than a drawback. The new collection is no exception; each piece is attractive and several models have received thoughtful technical upgrades, including an escapement with enhanced magnetism resistance. And the dials are not merely new colours, but sport detailed finishing and thoughtful details. Of course, there’s little in the way of true novelty in the collection outside of the Eternal Calendar that is a rare complication executed smartly but for an hard-to-believe six-figure price. Even the Tourbillo...
Fratello
Imagine a statement piece that combines high-end mechanics with animated art to create a wrist-mounted spectacle. Louis Moinet’s Astronef Techno does just that, turning heads for all the right reasons. As an extension of the Astronef family, its flying satellite double tourbillon now perches above a color-bursting, microelectronic dial crafted from silicon wafers. The novelty […] Visit Louis Moinet Presents The Astronef Techno Unique Piece to read the full article.
Deployant
Grönefeld introduces a new tourbillon for this year. New caliber for the Grönefeld 10th Anniversary – Decennium. Automatic flying 1 Minute tourbillon in a SS cage. Plat case 39.5mm x 10.5mm height. Slate grey dial in solid silver. LE 10pcs numbered 1 out of 10. Price €145,000 before taxes. Peter Chong Live from Baselworld
Deployant
Chopard continues to focus on the LUC. Lots of novelties. Here is a quick run down of the highlights. LUC Flying T Twin. First flying and the first automatic tourbillon from Chopard. 7.2mm thick. Twin barrel 65 hours. With stop tourbillon. CHF 115,000. LE 50. Rose gold. LUC XP. Savile Row inspired with strap fromRead More
Deployant
Highlights from Ulysse Nardin. The theme this year is X. Different. Daring. Exciting. We start with the Freak X. New movement. No dial. No hands. Hours and mins indicated by the now familiar flying carousel. Four references Ti (blue and black) CHF 21,000. Gold CHF 30,000 and Carbonium CHF 24,000. And a non-tourbillon version atRead More
Revolution
Revolution
Time+Tide
Ahead of the 2026 US Open, Novak Djokovic caught up with our US Editor Zach Blass to talk tennis, watches, and Hublot editions.
Hodinkee
The Ingenieur lineup expands in unexpected ways.
Monochrome
Just about a week ago, ArtyA was experimenting with moissanite cases and suspended tourbillons, sticking to its habit of working with unusual materials and bold designs. Now, the brand moves from materials to mechanics with the new Complexity, showcased at Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026. The key feature here is what ArtyA calls a world-first […]
Revolution
Time+Tide
Hublot's offering a unique customisation program for these 5 Spirit of Big Bangs, with customers able to choose different bezels and straps.The post Hublot unleashes five new Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillons with a fresh twist of customisation appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
Continuing the 150th anniversary celebrations, AP has brought us a host of crown-controlled QPs and rich stone dial tourbs.The post Audemars Piguet marks 150 years with 38 mm QPs and stone‑dial tourbillons appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
Racing and watches - name a better love story than that.The post 10 of the best racing watches, including budget timers, iconic chronographs, and surprising tourbillons appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Fratello
BA111OD is still a young brand in a world of watches that is full of historical powerhouses. But ever since its founding in 2019, BA111OD has quickly made a name for itself with some interesting new ideas. There is plenty to check out, from the compelling business model to the integration of connectivity and the […] Visit Hands-On With The Striking BA111OD Chapter 4 Tourbillons to read the full article.
Fratello
Even if I do favor the cool expressions of indie brands, the majority of my watches are traditional. But my €2K Otsuka Lotec got the strongest reaction I’ve ever seen at Geneva Watch Days this year. As usual, I was trying to wear an inoffensive but interesting watch. I didn’t want it to clash with […] Visit Multiple Displays: Are They The Coolest Thing Since Tourbillons? - Examples From MB&F;, Vianney Halter, Cartier, And More to read the full article.
Revolution
Deployant
How to mass produce tourbillons. A Deployant exclusive interview of Olivier Mory of BCP Tourbillons by Thomas Baillod of Ba111od.
Fratello
A new MB&F; release is always reason enough to sit up straight and pay attention. I am all eyes and ears, especially if it combines yellow gold with black onyx. Yes, Fratelli, I am easy to please. All jokes aside, we all know that MB&F; is not just about materials and colors. Every watch has […] Visit Introducing: The MB&F; Legacy Machine FlyingT Onyx Edition to read the full article.
Quill & Pad
2022 was a fine vintage year for excellent wristwatches. Here Ian Skellern shares the Top 7 watches that caught his eye in 2022
Quill & Pad
Here Elizabeth Doerr highlights three new watches of 2021 by independent watchmakers with eye-catching dials that really caught her own eye.
Deployant
Ba111od releases a new model - the Chapter 4, for less than CHF 5,000. Here is our comprehensive review of the Ba1110d Chapter 4.
Quill & Pad
“Complications: Skeletons & Tourbillons" is the title of the upcoming Ineichen two-part watch auction on October 29 and December 3, 2022, and it’s a title that attracted Ian Skellern's attention. There are 50 watches in the auction, a nice mix of both big and independent brands, so it’s well worth scrolling through the online catelogue, especially if money is burning a hole in your wallet because you can’t find a retailer with stock.
Time+Tide
Homogenous design. In a marketplace where it seems consumers have tunnel vision towards particular design segments, watch manufacturers have often bent to the trend of the moment rather than forge their own path. While many watch geeks love innovation and fresh aesthetics, brands do not always see the incentive from the broader marketplace. Speake-Marin, however, … ContinuedThe post VIDEO: The Speake-Marin One & Two Openworked Tourbillons appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Revolution
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