Four Tourbillons That Set The Pace At SIHH

That the tourbillon remains one of the most popular, high-end complications was once again confirmed this edition of SIHH. Many brands expanded their line-up with one, sometimes as a completely new creation, or as a new variety of an existing model. Its popularity can still easily be explained, as the ‘dance’ that the tourbillon performs in its efforts to fight the effects of gravity remains mesmerising. For brands, this still serves as an inspiration to take this complication to the next level, technically, visually, or both!

Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon
With the Overseas Tourbillon does Vacheron Constantin give us a lesson in perfection, while creating a watch that is bound to be popular. It combines the best of a sports watch with that of a classic tourbillon. Its case has a diameter of 42.5mm, which gives a nice wrist presence without overdoing it. Because the watch is also thin, it wears very comfortably. The dial is quite restrained in its design and easy to read. A minimum of text, deep blue color and that signature tourbillon shaped like the Malteser cross elevate this Vacheron Constantin from being a good watch to being a great one. At the back, a peripheral rotor plays its part in keeping the movement slim, while at the same time it never hides the exceptional craftsmanship that can be found in every single element of it.

Greubel Forsey Art Piece Edition Historique
Greubel Forsey also puts the tourbillon at the center of their latest creation. Placed above a blue-coated titanium main plate with a frosted finish, its dance is even more mesmerizing as it is a double axis tourbillon positioned at an incline. While this improves its performance, it is also a feast for the eye to see. The rest of the movement, as there is not a traditional dial, have the brands values engraved in relief. The hours are indicated by a red triangle, and the minutes are hidden by a shutter which opens on demand. Two mainspring barrels, coupled in series, give the watch a power reserve of 72 hours, which is indicated on the dial side as well.

Roger Dubuis Excalibur Shooting Star
Who says that tourbillons are a men’s complication? Roger Dubuis proves otherwise with the Excalibur Shooting Star! This watch is 36mm of perfection, thanks to its manufacture caliber, superb finish and innovative design. Roger Dubuis integrated the movement, dial and decorations all in one, which results in incredible depth and a lot of details. The caliber itself is extensively skeletonized and features a flying tourbillon. That its finish is second to none is further confirmed by the Geneva Seal, that was awarded to this Roger Dubuis.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon Enamel
Just like Vacheron Constantin, does also Jaeger-LeCoultre have a name to uphold when it comes to ultra-thin tourbillons. While they also opted for blue, it is here the hand-engraved guilloché dial that gives it a unique appearance. It would have easily overpowered the rest of the watch, but by creating a white border around both the date indicator and the tourbillon, it all balances out. As the Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon Enamel is more classical styled, its case is crafted from 18k white gold, yet with a diameter of 40mm, it is still a contemporary proposition.