In the intricate world of watchmaking, few complications evoke as much fascination as the tourbillon. For the uninitiated, a tourbillon is more than just a feature; it's a testament to watchmaking skill, a marvel of engineering and a symbol of luxury.
A tourbillon watch is a type of mechanical timepiece designed to improve accuracy by mitigating the effects of gravity. The escapement regulates the release of energy from the mainspring to the gear train, ensuring consistent movement of the hands, while the balance wheel oscillates to control the gears' speed.
Creating a tourbillon is no small feat. It requires an extraordinary level of precision, skill, and patience. Each component of the tourbillon mechanism is meticulously crafted, often by hand, and assembled with the utmost care. The entire assembly consists of many parts, all of which must work in perfect harmony.
THE BIRTH OF THE TOURBILLON
A tourbillon is a sophisticated mechanism found in high-end mechanical watches, conceived by the British watchmaker and inventor John Arnold, it was developed by his friend the Swiss-French watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet and patented by Breguet on 26 June 1801. Its primary purpose is to enhance timekeeping accuracy by addressing the effects of gravity on the watch's escapement.
The name “tourbillon” means “whirlwind” in French, a fitting description for the revolving mechanism at its heart. Breguet’s innovation was driven by the quest for greater accuracy. At the time, pocket watches were the norm, often carried vertically in the pocket. This constant position caused gravitational forces to affect the balance wheel and escapement, leading to timing inaccuracies. To combat this, Breguet devised a rotating cage that housed the escapement and balance wheel. By continuously rotating, the tourbillon averages out positional errors, significantly enhancing the watch’s accuracy. This ingenious mechanism was a breakthrough in precision timekeeping and remains a cornerstone of high-end watchmaking.
THE BREMONT TERRA NOVA DUAL-TIME TOURBILLON
At Bremont, where we blend the traditional artistry of watchmaking with modern innovation, we hold the tourbillon in the highest regard. Our Terra Nova Dual-Time Tourbillon, first unveiled at Watches and Wonders Geneva in 2024, balances high-end watchmaking with the practicality of a tool watch. It’s a work of art designed to be worn and admired.
The complex movement has been developed in collaboration with French, Swiss-based watchmaker Olivier Mory, using his tourbillon module to create a complication dedicated to travel and exploration. Our tourbillon has been intricately hand-assembled by our talented team of watchmakers at ‘The Wing’ in Henley-on-Thames. Limited to only 30 pieces, this unique variation is crafted from DLC-coated titanium and features a dual-time zone
expressed through a 3-dimensional spherical dome. This not only gives a second-time zone but also displays a map of the world with meridian lines to indicate night and day. The hand-wound original 9130 Calibre Tourbillon carries a 100m water resistance, 100-hour power reserve and an accuracy of -3/+7 seconds per day.
MOVEMENT SPECIFICATIONS
One of the standout features is the elegantly domed GMT dual time globe at 12 o’clock, celebrating our brand’s passion for travel and exploration.
The blue propeller design applied to the escapement bridge is also a distinguishing feature that celebrates our passion for aviation and its deep roots within the brand.
The rich, 3-dimensional anthracite radial guilloche dial with white Super-LumiNova® applied indexes offers a timepiece that is as visually captivating as it is technically impressive.
– Tourbillon Dual-Time Calibre
– Mechanical hand-wound tourbillon, free-sprung balance wheel
– 19 Jewels
– 21,600 Alt/h (3Hz)
– -3/+7 Seconds accuracy
– 100-hour power reserve
MAKE AN ENQUIRY
To register your interest in this highly exclusive limited edition timepiece and to find out more, please contact us.
DISCOVER THE TERRA NOVA COLLECTION
The Bremont Terra Nova Tourbillon forms part of the Terra Nova collection of field watches designed for the modern explorer.
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