In the late 1700s, watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet confirmed that gravity had a negative impact on the accuracy of his timepieces. Portable timekeeping in that era referred to pocket watches, which were slipped upright into pockets or laid flat on tables or mantles. These alternating horizontal and vertical positions increased the demands placed upon the hairspring, responsible for supplying energy to the balance wheel, causing irregularity in the rate of oscillations and decreasing accuracy.
As the tourbillon celebrates its 220th birthday this month, we delve into the history of the complication and its continued favour in watchmaking
Some call it superfluous, others superlative. The tourbillon is among the rare complications in the horological universe that add little by way of function but are highly sought after nonetheless — with a price tag to match.
