Questions about tourbillons

[DanP]

Hi folks. Just learning more about those beautys, and wondering why nowadays they are considered obsolete? What invention in modern watchmaking escapements had rendered them obsolete? They sure do look beautiful though dont they? Anyone on trf have an intrest in tourbillon's or own any? did rolex ever make a tourbillon? Thanks for the input friends

I really like the fifty fathoms tourbillon WOW!
And the Academia tourbillon from DeWitt wow what a looker!
so many others too
what are your favourite?
if I keep this interest up I might have nice watches, but i'll be living in the bus shelter bathroom

[Andad]

The only 'proper' tourbillon is the Panerai style 2005 movement where the balance revolves around the axis. All others are ?? IMO. Except the JLC gyrotourbillon - is this the ultimate?

[DanP]

that pam is so expensive isnt it? 100,000$ usd?

[Andad]

Hi Dan,

I wasn't even looking a prices. I would like some feedback on what makes a tourbillon a toubillon. Is it a toubillon because you can see the movement or because it revolves on its own axis or perpendicular to its 'axis'??

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by DanP

wondering why nowadays they are considered obsolete? What invention in modern watchmaking escapements had rendered them obsolete?

Originally Posted by directioneng

Is it a toubillon because you can see the movement or because it revolves on its own axis or perpendicular to its 'axis'??

Here's a good read, guys:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourbillon

[DanP]

sorry mods. posted in wrong topic forum my bad guys

[DanP]

Thanks Al!
I diddnt even think to wiki it

[topcat30093]

Dan
To try and answer part of your question.
Tourbillons became obsolete, when wrist watches started to become the norm.
The idea behind this fantastic complication, which I believe was designed by no other then Mr Abraham Breguet.
Was to help offset the poor accuracy that pocket watches suffered from due to gravitational effect of having the pocket watch always "Hanging down"
They are a marvel to watch and it takes many years before a watch maker - who then becomes a Master Watchmaker has gained enough experience to build one.
But for me, although its a fantastic piece of craftsmanship I'm not so sure that it warrants the huge asking price.

[DanP]

they sure are wonderous to look at.

[iwantagmt]

Tourbillions do not have an influence on wristwatch accuracy. In fact, they could be considered detrimental to long term performance, since they usually result in a smaller balance wheel than a non-tourbillion of a similar size. Smaller balance wheels are typically more affected by shocks and the like. Also, the energy used for the rotation of the cage is the same energy that would otherwise be sent to the balance wheel. This is another inefficiency.

In fact, from what I have read, there is argument as to whether or not the tourbillion even made pocket watches more accurate.

They are pretty though...my favorites to look at are the JLC gyro, the Antione Prezuiso 3Volution, and the Greubel Forsey Quadruple Tourbillion a Differentiel.

[DanP]

like a little ballerina inside your watch

[asadtiger]

it sure is very pretty...the tourbillon just renders a watch sooo exclusive, I think the very rich hardly even care if its really 'useful' in any terms...its known to be a very high-end thing to be able to make one and looking at it, that claim sounds very true

[BigHat]

As has been stated above, the mechanism isn't all that important to a wrist watch. While they are beautiful, and cost of service isn't likely to be a concern to those with the resources to buy the watch, I always worry that down the road I'd be without it for a long time and have a hefty service bill every five years.
As most of them are in dress watches, durability also isn't a major issue, but it's certainty something that doesn't take bumps and bangs as well as non-turbo movements.

Glad the temptation for me to have one is VERY slight.

[iwantagmt]

Due to the tourbillion's place in watchmaking, a sort-of symbol of expertise, it really bothers me when 'lesser' brands create tourbillions and don't even bother to freely spring the balances in them! This applies to some of the Cartier models, and even some VERY high end stuff like Romain Jerome. The "day night" watch is a $300,000 double tourbillion, and not only does it have NO HANDS, but neither tourbillion is freely sprung! But somehow that watch is cool anyway.

Here is an interesting read on tourbillions:

http://www.europastar.com/europastar...tourbillon.jsp

[shaggy]

how cool is this video guys
http://www.greubelforsey.com/qtdvideo.asp

[boa2]

A salesperson at a very high end AD here in NYC said the other day, "I rather enjoyed it when a tourbillon was something special. Now, they're putting them in every kind of watch just so they can catch the wealthy admirers of the brand." They definitely have become more commonplace, and we now seen them in dive watches (GP Seahawk, BP Fifty Fathoms, etc.) and even in the Bell & Ross BR 01 case.