You may have heard of the expression ‘tourbillon’ (french for vortex or whirlwind) while searching for fine watches for maybe giving as a Valentine’s Day gift. A wristwatch with a tourbillon escapement can make for a very much appreciated present.

Tourbillon timepieces are much sought after because of their exceptional design and appearance. Because the movements are of such unusual design, the design of the wrist watch usually includes a see-through window on the front and an exhibition crystal on the back of the case to enable the wearer to observe their fascinating actions.

Until the early 1900s, the pocket watch was the main type of gentlemen’s watch. The tourbillon movement was developed because of a trouble with the accuracy of watches with the usual type of escapements. They were carried, for the most part, vertically in vest watch pockets. Due to quite esoteric gravitational effects, variations in their positions during night and day negatively affected their precision. Because of that reason, the tourbillon movement was created.

As mentioned, during daytime, the timepieces were usually worn vertically in a vest watch pocket. But at other times, such as when the time was being noted, or when the pocket watch was removed from the watch pocket and laid on a dresser or table during the day or for the night, the position of the watch was likely to be in a horizontal position instead of vertical.

That meant that the orientation of the axis around which the components were operating relative to gravity was not predictably stable. The changes in the axis orientation was considered to affect the timekeeping reliability, as at different times the gravitational effects would be unimportant on some components, and either faster or slower on other parts, and then effect all those same parts even in a different way in yet other orientations.

Accordingly, if the watch was adjusted to maintain good time while in the watch pocket, then it would not keep good time when on the night stand, and if the regulator was adjusted to keep good time while on a table, then it would not be able to keep proper time while in the vest watch pocket.

The tourbillon movement neutralizes the minuscule, but significant, effects of gravity. It accomplishes this by rotating the whole timing mechanism on a periodic basis, commonly once a minute. This regular rotation averages out the gravitational effects on the watches in different positions, and so results in superior accuracy.

Numerous parts of great accuracy are necessary for tourbillon timepieces, even more so than for timepieces with more typical escapements. The watchmaking requirements for tourbillons makes them very rare and costly, which in turn makes them so very attractive to those who can afford them.

Tourbillon escapements have been successfully miniaturized so that they can fit into wristwatch cases. This may have come with a price, as many think that they are most likely no more accurate in wrist watch escapements than movements without them. Nevertheless, if you have the money for one, a tourbillon could be a fabulous gift. If you can’t afford one, there are lots of luxury watches of more conventional design, that while still very expensive, are usually nowhere nearly as pricey as a tourbillon.

And lastly, if you want to bestow a timepiece that can compete in workmanship, design and finish with the exclusive luxury brands, and at considerably less cost, you can find them amongst lesser known brands after doing some investigation.

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