Tour de force

What began as a maritime experiment in reducing the ill effects of gravity on a watch’s movement, the tourbillon has developed from a precision piece of watchmaking to a design feature in itself. The self-correcting rotating movement hasn’t ever proved to be particularly functional – the accuracy improvement is negligible – but it has long been a symbol of craftsmanship. And the latest manifestations are no different.

From left to right:
Concord C1 Tourbillon
Concord love the tourbillon so much they have made a design feature out of it – placing it on the side of the case. Retailing for a mammoth $320,000 – they managed to sell the first batch of 25 in a single day.
– 48.5mm diameter, 18.5mm thick
– Case surrounded by a white gold protective ring
– 3.3mm sapphire crystal case

JAlpina Extreme Tourbillon
There are only 18 – individually-numbered – models of this watch in circulation. The 188-piece movement is the fruit of three years’ research.
Retails for around $135,000. Nice.
– 33 ruby movement
– 48mm titanium case with black ceramic bezel
– Water-resistant to 100m

Aquanautic Super King Diving
Aquanautic introduces its very first tourbillon timepiece, which is presented in a handsome, robust casing with a strong emphasis on usability and readability. No word,
as yet, on the astronomical price they’ll charge.
– 52mm titanium and 18k pink gold case
– Five-day power reserve
– Water-resistant to 300m