As one crowd of avant garde, creative types leaves, though, something must fill the void. So, this week we take a look at the modern art of the tourbillon watch.
Before we dive headlong into tourbillon talk, a brief primer: a tourbillon is a complication first created in the 18th century that counters the effects of gravity on the movement by placing the escapement and balance wheels inside a rotating cage. These days, it's debatable as to whether a tourbillon makes much difference to accuracy but creating one requires a great amount of skill and they often provide aesthetic focus on a watch.
We begin our round-up with the master of the tourbillon, Greubel Forsey, which launched its Double Tourbillon Asymetrique (below) in Hong Kong last week. The watch builds on Greubel Forsey's tourbillon expertise and gives a new spin to the iconic Double Tourbillon 30° released in 2004. The latest iteration has been given an asymmetrical case that not only changes the presentation of the tourbillon but the entire image of the watch.
What remains unchanged is that there are two tourbillons, rotating at different speeds and both inclined at 30 degrees. Coming in a 43.5mm case, the design is much changed, with power reserve now indicated by a rotating disc and stretching to 72 hours. Prices for the Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon Asymetrique are available upon request and numbers are limited to 11 pieces in white gold and 11 in red gold.
Next we have a new piece from Harry Winston that brings together the tourbillon and the jumping-hour function in perfect artistic harmony. The Ocean Tourbillon Jumping Hours (above left) was launched at Baselworld this year and contains the watchmaker's new HW4401 movement.