Complications
El Padre's inquiry into watches featuring a 'hidden tourbillon' — a complication invisible from the dial side — sparks a fascinating discussion among collectors. This exploration delves into the nuanced design philosophies behind such timepieces, contrasting them with the more common practice of showcasing the tourbillon. El Padre's initial question serves as a gateway to understanding the 'quiet luxury' approach in high horology.
I understand it’s function to counteract gravity effects, but why do some pieces have this function “hidden” whereas most have a clear aperture showing the tourbillon.🤔
In LF’s case, I believe it must be because the caseback is always the prettier side 🤣🤣
...because most brands want to boast that a watch has a tourbillon (most customers want to show that off too). However, there are people and brands that do not need to prove anything to others 😉
The Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual, as well as the Datograph perpetual both have tourbillons hidden on the dial-side. I believe all other references with a tourbillon have them exposed on the dial side.
And exactly as Hussam said, I couldn’t imagine the marginal impact of tourbillons on time accuracy to be so significant for that sake alone. Therefore, the technical adornment factor makes the most sense.
I don’t object, but it’s very confusing to me when hidden.
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