In my effort to better understand the horological world, I posted the following in a forum of which I am a member to see what are the members take on the subject.
The post:
"Apologies upfront as this is not a thread on watches with
tourbillons, although we do not mind if you do post them for us to
view and appreciate, but more of a discussion on tourbillons.
To make it simple, I have copied the definition of tourbillon from
wikipedia:
In horology, a tourbillon (French: "whirlwind") is an
addition to the mechanics of a watch escapement. Developed around
1795 by the French-Swiss watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet from an
earlier idea by the English chronometer maker John Arnold, a
tourbillon aims to counter the effects of gravity by mounting the
escapement and balance wheel in a rotating cage, to negate the effect
of gravity when the timepiece (thus the escapement) is stuck in a
certain position.
So to me, a tourbillon is a device used to regulate a watch and
should be define such. However, we see that the tourbillon is now
considered a complication. This is not to be confused with it, the
tourbillon, being a complicated mechanism or complicated to make. To
me, a complication by definition, is an additional function in a
watch other than simple timekeeping. Simple timekeeping here is the
hours, minutes and seconds. As such, the addition of a date on the
watch is a complication as is a chronograph or even a minute
repeater. But a tourbillon is not. It is a device or mechanism used
to regulate the accuracy of time keeping.
Thoughts?
Additionally, what are your view on the use of the tourbillon on
modern wristwatches? It does show the movement manufacturer
capabilities to manufacture a complicated regulator, but does it
improve on the accuracy of the wrist watch?"
The response thus far is pretty interesting. So far, most agree that the addition of a tourbillon does not improve much the accuracy of wrist watch, even if it does, it is a pretty expensive option at that. I tend to agree. I can see the use of a tourbillon on pocket watches, but not in the modern wristwatch. The modern wristwatch is not and will not be 'stuck' in a certain position long enough for gravity to have an impact on the accuracy of the movement. Additionally, the movement in modern wristwatches are already pretty accurate.
While the tourbillon is nice to look at, what with its constantly rotating cage and all, more so if the tourbillon is a multi axis tourbillon, but I rather see automation like Van Cleef & Arpels's Pont des Amoureux (Lover's Bridge) where two figurines share a fleeting kiss...
Photograph: Van Cleef & Arpels
Or this, from Jaquet Droz..
The Charming Bird.
Photographs: Jaquet Droz
The video of The Charming Bird.
But that just me. :)
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