Say it quietly: you don’t really need a tourbillon wristwatch, do you? As far as watch mechanisms go, the tourbillon is as antiquated as they come: invented more than 200 years ago to ensure precision in pocket watches. And with the avalanche of watches that connoisseurs are spoilt with these days, a tourbillon, which requires a measure of horological maturity from collectors to fully appreciate its origins, functionality and appeal, can feel like a bother or stretch to enjoy.
Or not. While all of the above are true, a tourbillon is one of the most coveted complications among aficionados. It’s desired by collectors who know their stuff, and made only by a handful of watchmaking houses with the knowledge and capability to do so. More pertinently, the tourbillon’s enduring interest and longevity can be attributed to one brand: Franck Muller.
The tourbillon was invented in 1801 by legendary master watchmaker, Abraham-Louis Breguet, but it was Franck Muller who revived the centuries-old mechanism by putting it on a pedestal on modern wristwatches.
Breguet’s invention was rooted in practicality. Back when pocket watches were the de facto timekeeping device, Breguet was trying to figure out why they were getting increasingly inaccurate as the day wore on. He discovered that, because the timepieces were kept mostly in an upright position in waistcoats, the pull of gravity was having an impact on the pocket watches’ inner workings.
To solve the problem, Breguet devised a rotating cage to house the key timekeeping components to counter the force of gravity and improve the watch’s precision. Inspired by the way the cage rotated, Breguet called his invention a tourbillon, which is a French word for ‘whirlwind’.
Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av Robb Report Singapore.
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Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av Robb Report Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Building Lasting Legacies In Asia
Julius Baer’s commitment to long-term client partnerships is key to its success in helping clients in the region realise their wealth ambitions.
Empowering Generations Of Wealth Owners
Serving one-quarter of the world’s billionaires globally, Citi Private Bank offers a time-tested approach to preserving and growing family wealth, seeking to help legacies flourish for generations to come.
This Month's Feed
Only the best dining and drinking spots in Singapore.
SUSTAINABILITY ON THE GREENS
The general manager and director of agronomy at Sentosa Golf Club, Andrew Johnston, reflects on his tenure at one of Asia’s elite golfing destinations.
Best of the Best - Wine
Lounging in a Maldivian resort, wine-tasting in Bordeaux, putting a sports car through its paces at Sonoma Raceway, curating the best watches from Geneva, perusing the top menswear accoutrements in Milan, testing cutting-edge yachts in Monaco. The life of a Robb Report editor may sound glamorous, but-actually, we can't argue there. Even so, separating the wheat from the chaff is no small task in the luxury realm, since even the chaff can be mighty impressive. In our 36th annual Best of the Best issue, we again offer our assessment of the past year's most exemplary products, places and experiences. And yes, edition number 37 is already underway.
Best of the Best - Travel
Lounging in a Maldivian resort, wine-tasting in Bordeaux, putting a sports car through its paces at Sonoma Raceway, curating the best watches from Geneva, perusing the top menswear accoutrements in Milan, testing cutting-edge yachts in Monaco. The life of a Robb Report editor may sound glamorous, but-actually, we can't argue there. Even so, separating the wheat from the chaff is no small task in the luxury realm, since even the chaff can be mighty impressive. In our 36th annual Best of the Best issue, we again offer our assessment of the past year's most exemplary products, places and experiences. And yes, edition number 37 is already underway.
Best of the Best - Home
Lounging in a Maldivian resort, wine-tasting in Bordeaux, putting a sports car through its paces at Sonoma Raceway, curating the best watches from Geneva, perusing the top menswear accoutrements in Milan, testing cutting-edge yachts in Monaco. The life of a Robb Report editor may sound glamorous, but-actually, we can't argue there. Even so, separating the wheat from the chaff is no small task in the luxury realm, since even the chaff can be mighty impressive. In our 36th annual Best of the Best issue, we again offer our assessment of the past year's most exemplary products, places and experiences. And yes, edition number 37 is already underway.
Best of the Best - Technology
Lounging in a Maldivian resort, wine-tasting in Bordeaux, putting a sports car through its paces at Sonoma Raceway, curating the best watches from Geneva, perusing the top menswear accoutrements in Milan, testing cutting-edge yachts in Monaco. The life of a Robb Report editor may sound glamorous, but-actually, we can't argue there. Even so, separating the wheat from the chaff is no small task in the luxury realm, since even the chaff can be mighty impressive. In our 36th annual Best of the Best issue, we again offer our assessment of the past year's most exemplary products, places and experiences. And yes, edition number 37 is already underway.
Best of the Best - Style
Lounging in a Maldivian resort, wine-tasting in Bordeaux, putting a sports car through its paces at Sonoma Raceway, curating the best watches from Geneva, perusing the top menswear accoutrements in Milan, testing cutting-edge yachts in Monaco. The life of a Robb Report editor may sound glamorous, but-actually, we can't argue there. Even so, separating the wheat from the chaff is no small task in the luxury realm, since even the chaff can be mighty impressive. In our 36th annual Best of the Best issue, we again offer our assessment of the past year's most exemplary products, places and experiences. And yes, edition number 37 is already underway.
Best of the Best - Jewellery
Lounging in a Maldivian resort, wine-tasting in Bordeaux, putting a sports car through its paces at Sonoma Raceway, curating the best watches from Geneva, perusing the top menswear accoutrements in Milan, testing cutting-edge yachts in Monaco. The life of a Robb Report editor may sound glamorous, but-actually, we can't argue there. Even so, separating the wheat from the chaff is no small task in the luxury realm, since even the chaff can be mighty impressive. In our 36th annual Best of the Best issue, we again offer our assessment of the past year's most exemplary products, places and experiences. And yes, edition number 37 is already underway.