Haute Time’s Hottest Tourbillons Of 2019

Also in 2019, the tourbillon ruled supreme as one of the most popular complications in Haute Horlogerie. Throughout the year, many new interpretations of the tourbillon where launched. Some were completely new creations, while other varieties of watches that we are already familiar with. The following four were for us among the hottest ones introduced in 2019;

Richard Mille RM 52-06 Tourbillon Mask
As they do every year, did Richard Mille entice us with quite a few marvelous additions to their line-up in 2019. While the RM 52-06 Tourbillon Mask isn’t the most complex watch that the brand launched, it is a landmark creation. While it is fitted with a highly sophisticated tourbillon movement, this complication doesn’t take center stage. In fact, the majority of it is hidden behind the mask at the center of the dial. Yet because of this, and the way that the detailed mask, the movement and the case all come together, makes it that the RM 52-06 Tourbillon Mask is nothing short of a wearable piece of art. That sets it apart from its peers and make it for us one of the hottest tourbillons of this year.

Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Squelette 5395
As the inventor of the tourbillon does Breguet knows like no other brand how to craft one. While this means that we always have very high expectations of the brand earlier this year, they proved that they can even surpass them. With the Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Squelette 5395, they indulge us in the art of classic skeletonization. Breguet used caliber 581 as a base and cut out nearly 50% of the bridges and mainplate while applying a stunning finish on the metal that is left. The result is breathtakingly beautiful but becomes even more impressive when you realize that this movement is ultra-slim, which makes skeletonization far more difficult. Breguet used a peripheral rotor to ensure that you do have the benefits of automatic winding, without the obstruction of the stunning movement by a full-size oscillating weight.

Hublot Classic Fusion Tourbillon Orlinski Sapphire
A skeleton of another kind is the Classic Fusion Tourbillon Orlinski Sapphire. Where Breguet took the classical path, did Hublot apply the modern angle. This was, of course, an obvious choice as the design of this watch is by famed French artist Richard Orlinski. For this watch, the case was crafted from sapphire, which not only allows us to see the movement from nearly every angle but which also makes it easier for light to enter it. As the movement is skeletonized, this gives a special effect and highlights the unique nature of the watch. Instead of cutting away the excess metal on the existing bridges and mainplate did Hublot opt to recreate them in a frame-like shape. This goes perfectly with the design of the case and underlines the modern nature of this stunning tourbillon.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon Enamel
Blue was also in 2019 a very popular color, yet few brands could come close to the rich and vibrant shade that Jaeger-LeCoultre achieved on their Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon Enamel. A deep and luscious guilloche motif was covered in enamel, while the date and the tourbillon were highlighted by a silver-colored frame. It results in one of those charismatic creations that are so typical for Jaeger-Lecoultre, where form and function are in total balance with one another. All this splendor is housed in a refined white gold case, which is 40mm in diameter and perfectly frames the stunning dial and its exclusive complication.