De Grisogono has created a wristwatch equipped with a flying tourbillon, featuring an inclined balance-staff. Drawing inspiration from the works of Richard Daners, Alfred Helwig, Albert Potter whose contribution to the field of watchmaking has been exemplary, De Grisogono has unveiled an elegant complication – Instrumento N°Uno Tourbillon. An homage to the works of these great watchmakers, the new timepiece by De Grisogono combines age-old arts with modern techniques and houses a rectangular-shaped movement.
In 1801, Abraham-Louis Breguet invented the tourbillon to improve the precision of a watch by countering the effects of gravity. Since then, it has been constantly perfected to optimize the rotation system. De Grisogono’s interpretation of the tourbillon comes with a balance-staff inclined at a 30°angle for both technical and aesthetic reasons, according to the brand. This, says the Genevan jeweler, improves precision as the balance-staff is in place in the best possible position. Then, there is a matter of visual appeal to be considered: a larger angle would mean that the watchmaker would be forced to increase the thickness of the model to make space for the flying tourbillon.
A few years of research and development has resulted in this new novelty that embodies the brand’s DNA and vision in crafting distinct horological pieces. The flying tourbillon may look simple and easy to construct. But it is, in fact, very complex. Offset to 6 o’clock, the flying tourbillon in the Instrumento N°Uno Tourbillon rotates once per minute and features a modified and inclined escapement.
The details and the whirling flying tourbillon are visible beneath a three-dimensional sapphire lens, with the spoke of the skeleton-worked oscillating weight reflecting a direct influence of the brand’s jewelry heritage. With a 60-hour power reserve, the Instrumento N°Uno Tourbillon is unique by being the dial-less and has its hours marked off on a horseshoe shaped flying disc.
Time to strap on this avant-garde and bold looking timepiece by De Grisogono.
View the Photo Gallery to see the two variations on offer.
Smitha Sadanandan
