What will the tourbillon look like in 10 years? Who knows? The one thing we can be sure of, however, is that the tourbillon will continue to improve and get more access to the watch-buying public. Based on what we know right now, here are three ways that watch with tourbillon complications might change in the next 10 years.
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Is the industry growing fast enough?
Many people don't know, but the industry of tourbillon is not growing enough. Many people indeed love top tourbillons and good tourbillons, and many know about cool tourbillons and the best ones. However, not many people know about this topic enough to buy a cool tourbillon or the best tourbillons. Plus, because the industry is not growing fast enough, it's tough for manufacturers to sustain making these watches because the demand is lower than their usual output.
Are people aware of what's happening with tourbillons?
To be honest, most people don't seem to be aware of what's happening with tourbillons. Perhaps this new development has created a lot of division and conflict. Let me explain. On one side, you have the classic tourbillons that most collectors have followed for decades. And on the other, there's a new breed of tourbillons that are less restricted by tradition and adhere to quality standards that make them worthier investment pieces. I believe both styles are good tourbillons, but the old school versus new school arguments need to stop now, and people need to explore all options before they come to conclusions.
How many brands are using or making a move to using tourbillons?
Most of the watch brands are making moves to use tourbillons. From major brands like A. Lange & Sohne to Swatch and LVMH brands like TAG Heuer and Zenith, every brand is considering adding a tourbillon or at least a high-end version of one of their models.
Today, tourbillons are still very much at the peak of the luxury watch market, with many made with extensive decorations that justify the higher price tag along with this challenging complication.
Rolex’s Masterpiece watches all have tourbillons, and Ulysse Nardin has its own movement exclusively for its entire collection that uses a tourbillon. The cost of manufacturing a top-quality tourbillon ranges from $50,000 to $250,000, which does not include purchasing an expensive watch case for it to be placed in.
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Some consider a tourbillon too showy, but these complications will continue to make their way into more watches as production techniques improve.
Is there an abundance of choice within this movement?
There are few tourbillons on the market, but even fewer with a long power reserve. There are really only two worth considering: the A. Lange and Sohne 1815 and the Patek Philippe 5208A. The Lange features a balance spring on both sides of the tourbillon, while the Patek's is fully functional. But regardless of your choice, there is only one other timepiece that rivals it: Audemars Piguet's Royal Oak 5402B-011. Only six are available for purchase, so if this is your choice, order now before they're gone forever! Audemars Piguet Tourbillon Tribute to Beatrix de Rothschild.
Designed by artist Odile Huneault, the watch combines an art deco style with graceful curves inspired by movement and dance.
Featuring the most delicate details and highest technical specifications, including 48 hours of power reserve
Including AP’s self-winding caliber 3120 (that can be hand wound as well)
Are new movements coming on stream?
Of course, there are still new movements coming on stream. Think about the tourbillon! This technology has been around for almost two centuries, but watchmakers are still inventing all sorts of new spins on it to impress collectors and watch enthusiasts alike. Who knows what innovation is waiting to be unlocked within this much-loved, often misunderstood complication - an absolute blast from the past! In 20 years, maybe we'll be taking our top tourbillon out to sea or diving into them...
And then there's reinventing movement technologies that were first introduced decades ago. Take the tourbillon, for example. It might sound like a complicated concept reserved only for serious watch fans and aficionados. Still, its development was revolutionary when it was invented back in 1795 by Abraham-Louis Breguet – changing how watches function forever by improving their accuracy tenfold as well as making them more reliable and robust than ever before, thanks to how they were now housed away from external influences such as temperature changes and magnetism thanks to their complex inner workings no longer being visible on the outside of the watch case due to this revolutionary new mechanism protecting these vital components - an essential part of every mechanical watch today!
Is it possible to provide a quality watch at mass-market price points?
It is a common misconception that watchmaking, particularly the Swiss variety, is an expensive business. The truth is that most Swiss watches today are manufactured by three big brands: Rolex, Omega, and Tag Heuer. These companies are known for manufacturing watches with prices from several hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. This high price point creates the misconception that quality timepieces must be expensive.
Nevertheless, these three brands offer a great deal of precision engineering and design at a fractional cost of what you would find elsewhere on the market. They also have top-notch finishing methods, which create the illusion of superior craftsmanship at lower prices.
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This means that a $5-700 mechanical watch might not be much different than one priced at $10-12000. Understanding how it was made is more important than the price tag.
Japanese manufacturers have created some excellent quality products like Seiko and Citizen - but they are typically priced well above their Swiss counterparts. Most Japanese watches retail for more than $1500 on average, making them inaccessible to many consumers who want more than just function from their wristwatch investment.
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