Based on their limited edition F.P. Journe Special 30th Anniversary Tourbillon that was released in October 2013, the 2014 F.P. Journe 10th Anniversary Tourbillon was produced to celebrate two landmark events in its short biography: the 10th anniversary of their first boutique in Tokyo, Japan and the opening of the tenth F.P. Journe boutique in Beirut, Lebanon. Predictably, the timekeeper’s total production was limited to just ten pieces, with only one of them going to each of their shops around the world.
Tourbillon
Vacheron Constantin Malte High Jewellery Tourbillon
Next month, during the upcoming SIHH 2014 show, VC will officially reveal its Vacheron Constantin Malte High Jewellery Tourbillon (ref. 30630/000G-9899). Featuring 418 baguette-cut diamonds on its body, crown, dial and even on the white gold folding clasp, the watch features an “invisible setting” technique that demands a team of highly skilled designers and jewelers and literally hundreds of man-hours for each timekeeper.
F.P. Journe Special 30th Anniversary Tourbillon
Mostly known for its avant-gardist approach to design, this time the Geneva-based brand decided to take a more classical way. Their F.P. Journe Special 30th Anniversary Tourbillon features everything that you might expect from a highly exclusive vintage-styled timekeeper including a solid hunter-style case back cover with meticulously executed barleycorn guilloche.
Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle 14-Day Tourbillon (Ref. 89000/000P-9843)
Offered at almost $380,000 and crafted from expensive Platinum 950 alloy, the 2013 Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle 14-Day Tourbillon (Ref. 89000/000P-9843) with its modest styling and compact size is a quintessence of inconspicuous consumption. With its moderately oversized case and a time-proven, bullet-proof reliable mechanism, it is a trinket for the kind of people who would prefer a vintage Rolls-Royce to a brand new Koenigsegg.
Girard-Perregaux 1966 Tourbillon Gold Bridge Limited Edition
At the Baselworld 2013 trade show, the Swiss watchmaker has re-introduced its Girard-Perregaux 1966 Tourbillon Gold Bridge (refs. 99535-52-131-BKBA & 99535-53-131-BK6A) collection. Not only dressy but also extremely classy with their understated exterior and carefully decorated dials, the watches have always been “signature” models for the brand. Judging by the 2013 collection’s specs, this one is more of a mild face-lift, rather than a full-fledged next-generation with a new movement and all.
Hublot Classic Fusion Squelette Tourbillon Ferrari 250 GTO Limited Edition
The new Hublot Classic Fusion Squelette Tourbillon Ferrari 250 GTO limited edition watch was presented last week on Tuesday at Abbaye de Hautvillers. The “ultra-exclusive” event was restricted to hundred-and-something rich persons that you have probably seen on TV and all sorts of tabloids. Planned to be sold exclusively to 39 owners of the legendary Ferrari 250 GTO vintage sports cars, the new timepiece has a good chance of becoming an instant legend.
Piaget Altiplano Tourbillon Dragon Fob Watch (Ref. G0A36563)
Besides the gorgeous (and unique, too) Piaget Polo Tourbillon Relatif Dragon (Ref. G0A36545,) the Swiss watchmaking House has also presented another dragon-themed product. Presented in a shape of a so-called “fob watch” (or, more plainly, a “pocket watch” although I highly doubt that the piece is supposed to travel it in your pockets,) the hand-wound Piaget Altiplano Tourbillon Dragon (Ref. G0A36563) is equipped with what is claimed to be the world’s slimmest tourbillon movement.
Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 Tourbillon Three Golden Bridges in White Gold
The new Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 Tourbillon Three Golden Bridges automatic watch offers a variation of the well-known GP Caliber 9600 installed into a compact, Art Deco-styled white gold case. Set to be officially revealed early next year at SIHH 2012, the watch is absolutely beautiful in its sober -even if somewhat monotonous- combination of polished white gold and rhodium-plated surfaces. With its bold styling, it may be one of the best choices for a gentleman searching for an elegant, classic-styled dress watch with a nice subtle twist to its exterior.
Concord C1 BlackSpider LAB Series Tourbillon
Officially unveiled during the Baselworld 2011 international trade show, the hand-wound Concord C1 BlackSpider LAB Series Tourbillon (ref. 0320143) features a tourbillon escapement that is visible through the skeletonized, arachnid-shaped baseplate of its hand-made movement. While its exterior design may not look as outrageous as that of the iconic Ulysse Nardin Freak Diavolo, I can see why Concord is so proud about their new creation: after all, creating something as complex as a tourbillon basically from scratch requires a great deal of technical prowess to begin with, and it is a whole another level of professionalism when you start to churn them out like hot pancakes.
Cartier Rotonde de Cartier Astroregulateur W1556211
With the 2015 Rotonde de Cartier Astroregulateur (ref. W1556211) limited edition, Cartier has found yet another, maybe even more effective, way of combating the problem of gravity affecting the accuracy of mechanical movements. The solution is as simple as it is ingenious.
Roger Dubuis Excalibur Self-Winding with Micro-Rotor and Flying Tourbillon
Presented Roger Dubuis at the SIHH 2011 trade show reserved for the elite players of the industry, the limited-edition Excalibur Self-Winding with Micro-Rotor and Flying Tourbillon (Ref. EX45-520-20-00/0ER01/B) sports a dial layout that is ideologically similar to that of the gorgeous Piaget Emperador Coussin Tourbillon Ultra-Thin presented in Geneva during the same event.
Greubel Forsey Invention Piece 2 Hand-Wound
This new Greubel Forsey Invention Piece 2 may not be as expensive as a Bugatti Veyron, but it surely costs more than an average Rolls-Royce.
Hysek Furtif Skeleton Tourbillon HW15
The hand-wound Hysek Furtif Skeleton Tourbillon (ref. HW15) is offered in a mesmerizing blend of feather-light titanium, stodgy rose gold, and uncompromising skeletonization techniques that leave nothing for imagination when it comes to the inner workings of the tiny engine.
Richard Mille RM 017 Tourbillon Extra Flat
For this year, Richard Mille updates their RM 017 collection with an even more technologically advanced hand-wound Tourbillon Extra Flat model that now comes in an ultra-thin case crafted from 18-karat red gold measuring less than nine millimeters from top to bottom.
DeWitt Twenty-8-Eight Regulator A.S.W. Limited Edition
DeWitt has just revealed its new self-winding Twenty-8-Eight Regulator A.S.W. limited edition (ref. T8.TA.001) equipped with their proprietary Automatic Sequential Winding system. Presented in a generously proportioned 18-karat rose gold body 46 millimeters in diameter and almost 13 millimeters thick, the watch makes an impression as strong as a stun gun discharge.