Mechanical watches feature a variety of complicated mechanisms. Of these, many readers are likely envious of the tourbillon. Let's take a look at how the tourbillon, a symbol of complicated mechanisms, was invented and what its mechanism is. We will also introduce current models that feature the mechanism.
What is a tourbillon?
Generally, if you see a circular or spherical part that rotates independently of the movement, it is a tourbillon. Many models equipped with tourbillons are expensive.
Let's start by looking at the history of the tourbillon.
One of the three most complicated mechanisms in the world
The tourbillon is known as one of the "three great complications in the world," along with the minute repeater, which tells the time with the sound of a gong or similar, and the perpetual calendar, which does not require manual calendar adjustment for a certain period of time. Although the number of brands producing tourbillons has increased in recent years due to the development of machine tools, tourbillons are rare because they require the skills of a skilled watchmaker and a long production period, and models equipped with them tend to be expensive.
The tourbillon's inventor, Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747-1823), lived in the 18th and early 19th centuries, an era when table clocks and wall clocks were the norm and pocket watches were the most commonly used portable timepieces. The tourbillon was invented with the aim of maintaining high accuracy even when the watch's orientation was changed while being worn.
The history of the tourbillon
Abraham-Louis Breguet invented and patented the tourbillon on June 26, 1801.
The background to its creation was the existence of gravity acting on pocket watches. Pocket watches are generally carried in a jacket pocket, which means that gravity acts on the watch in a certain direction. A watch has many parts that move in a circular motion, and if they are always subjected to load in the same direction, they become eccentric, which causes a loss of accuracy. The tourbillon was developed to solve this problem.
However, this complicated mechanism was difficult to realize, and it was not actually commercialized until 1805. The fact that only 35 tourbillon models had been sold by the time of Abraham-Louis Breguet's death in 1823 is testament to the difficulty of manufacturing it.
After that, many engineers tried to reproduce it, but the tourbillon itself ended up being too large and heavy, which actually caused the accuracy to be affected, and the results were not satisfactory.
The tourbillon made a comeback in watchmaking history in 1983 with the watch brand Breguet.
The Swiss watch industry, which had lost market share to quartz watches, which were far more accurate than mechanical watches, was rekindling the boom in mechanical watches, symbolized by the tourbillon.
How a tourbillon works
There are many variations of tourbillons depending on the manufacturer. Here we will introduce the basic structure of the power and escapement.
Tourbillon mechanism
A tourbillon is a mechanism that combines a regulator and escapement, consisting of a balance spring, anchor, balance, and escape wheel, into a part called a carriage, which rotates at a regular interval of once per minute.
This distributes the vertical force of gravity and maintains accuracy.
This is the basic structure of a tourbillon, but details may vary depending on the model.
Differences from general mechanical movements
A typical mechanical movement also uses a balance spring, anchor, balance, and escape wheel, but these are all fixed in place, whereas a tourbillon is not integrated into a carriage.
In the case of a tourbillon, the carriage rotates slowly, at a rate of about one revolution per minute, and almost all tourbillon-equipped models are skeletonized so that this movement can be seen.
There are skeletonized models of general mechanical movements, but you cannot see such unique movements.
The Need for Tourbillons in Wristwatches
The Classique Tourbillon 5317 was released in 2005, the 230th anniversary of Breguet's founding. Since then, it has become a long-selling model that has become one of Breguet's classic tourbillons. Enjoy classic design elements such as the guilloched "Clous de Paris" and "Soleil" patterns, as well as Breguet hands. With a diameter of 39mm and a thickness of 11.15mm and a long power reserve of approximately 120 hours, it is highly practical. Automatic movement (Cal. 587DR). 32 jewels. 21,600 vph. 18KRG case (39mm diameter, 11.15mm thickness). Water resistant to 3 bar. Price: 21,879,000 yen (tax included). (Inquiries) Breguet Boutique Ginza Tel. 03-6254-7211
The tourbillon is a mechanism designed for pocket watches that are kept in a pocket for long periods of time. It is effective in controlling vertical gravity, but in a wristwatch, gravity is dispersed by the movement of the arm.
The error in accuracy caused by gravity due to the orientation (posture) of the watch is called posture error. However, simply wearing a watch means that posture error has little effect, so in fact a tourbillon is unnecessary.
However, the tourbillon is a mechanism related to the regulator and escapement, which can be said to be the heart of a mechanical watch, and its operation itself is fascinating.
Due to the difficulty of realizing it as a product and its aesthetic appeal, it has become highly sought after as a symbolic complication that expresses the appeal of mechanical watches.
