Complications
Robert10 tackles a common misconception about the tourbillon's relevance in modern wristwatches. He challenges the notion that this intricate complication serves no practical purpose beyond showcasing watchmaking skill, asserting its continued role in enhancing accuracy. Robert10 supports his argument by referencing the Concours International de Chronométrie, a significant competition that tested the precision of contemporary timepieces.
Tourbillon - right a wrong
Regarding a tourbillon. You have probably encountered this, you meet someone who tells you "on a wristwatch, the tourbillion has no function other than to show the watchmaker's skill by making something less complicated more complicated. Back in the time when Abraham Louis Breguet patented the Tourbillon, the tourbillon only solved problems related to having a pocket watch lying in a west pocket, it improved the accuracy of the watch.”
It is wrong to say that the tourbillon has no role in improving the accuracy of a wristwatch.
In 2009, a points-based timing competition was re-introduced, the Concours International de Chronométrie. Invited was watch brands, movement manufacturers, schools and private individuals to enter a, designed to test the rate and reliability of their watches. The Concours International de Chronométrie ran from 2009 to 2015.
The first 2 years, the competition was won by a tourbillion watch. In the 6 years the competition ran, on a top 6 list of the most accurate watches 4 of them were tourbillons.
True is, that a tourbillon made and set by a master watchmaker improve accuracy.
My own F.P. Tn serviced and timed by the highly skilled watchmaker at F.P Journe Paris is not only one of the most beautiful watches in my collection, but also one of the most accurate watches.
Input taken from the article "When Accuracy Mattered - Part III: The Triumph of Brands Over Watchmaking"
see more: watchesbysjx.com l
Robert10 - watchmaker apprentice
They are gorgeous to behold, but a finely adjusted timepiece that is regulated in 6 positions should be able to outperform a single axis Tourbillion. That being said, I wouldn’t kick a Ferdinand Berthoud (with Tourbillion and constant force mechanism) out of bed 🤣 Lovely Journe. Can you share more photos?
As I understand it, for the 2009 competition Swatch submitted a watch with an ETA caliber 2824 with silicone hairspring. the watch achieved a 4 place. 2009 results: 1. 909p / 1000p Jaeger Le Coultre -conventional tourbillon 2. 908p / 1000p Jaeger Le Coultre -Gyro tourbillon 3. 906p / 1000P Chopard --Gyro tourbillon 4. 808P / 1000P Swatch - ETA caliber 2824 with silicone hairspring
Can you please share the link? (And the extra photos of your beautiful Journe tourbillion 😁)
Heck, i can even get the low-end Panerai 1118 TRON to be +/-1 a month... if i lay it down at night in the correct positions to 'regulate' it. How about two working in resonance as a fun work-around instead if a tourbillion. And if one-axis tourbillion is good, then triple-axis tourbillion is better
I believe, and I could be wrong, but I believe that the testing Concours International de Chronométrie did to measure accuracy was done having the watches in a stationary positions. This makes sense, as if the watches were worn by people to test accuracy, the different patterns of the wearers would introduce a random element, impacting the results. Hence, because the watches tested were in a stationary position, a tourbillion can be effective. On the wrist of a moving person, however, I would ne
He has also said putting a tourbillon in a wristwatch makes the timekeeping worse. For me, this was the first time I’d heard a watchmaker (or brand) make a statement like this. And honestly, it made me like the guy more.
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