Like fast cars, we may not be able to afford them, yet we are still interested in their specs, trivia and their prices. The question is which is the most expensive tourbillon watch? And how much is it? Or was it, as most of the collector watches tend to be of limited edition and their price is constantly climbing one their sold.

The answer to your million dollar question is that the most expensive tourbillon watch is the Blancpain 1735 and it was priced at exactly $1,000,000 when it first came out. Yes, it is a seven figure number and it was not a typo. This watch has half-a-dozen complications, two more than a watch needs to qualify as a “grand complication”. In fact, it’s arguable to say that this is even a tourbillon watch since there are so many other complications inside the watch. There is a perpetual calendar, a split-second chronograph, a minute repeater, a tourbillon and a moon phase minder.

It looks pretty neat yet very elegant and almost humbling from the outside. Unlike almost all other tourbillons, such as the Blancpain fifty fathoms, desperately trying to show off their tourbillon mechanism with a window in the dials, you won’t see any of those on display. There is the more implicit beauty in this watch and probably can only be appreciated by the true watch connoisseurs.

Under its minimalistic cover, the 1735 has 740 components and takes an average 8 to 10 months for a team of dozens of skilled watch artists to assemble these parts together. Blancpain intended to make just 30 of these, apparently, so far, only 18 have been made. So if you have some spare money, well, something like a million dollars, then dial up and booked you very own piece of the most expensive tourbillon watch.

Take a look at the inside of this amazing watch:

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Over the generations since Breguet, very few watchmakers, probably only a couple of hundreds of them, have been able to manufacture tourbillon watches. The ability to make tourbillon watches is highly regarded as the consummation of one’s craftsmanship, as a certificate of competence in fine watchmaking. The mechanism of tourbillon is often shown off on the face of the watch as a demonstration of its maker’s watchmaking virtuosity.

Even the most basic tourbillon design contains well over a hundred small parts. These delicate parts are made of exotic metals. For example titanium and beryllium are used not only for their durability but their flexibility and light weight. Jewels such as rubies are used everywhere possible in the mechanism for preventing and reducing wears and tears. The assembling and testing of a tourbillon watch mechanism is also extremely complex and time consuming – it takes as long as four months to hand craft each watch. Disassembly of the tourbillon is required at any stage when adjustment is needed and when a problem is detected regardless how small it is. To add value to the watches, precious metals such as gold and platinum are often used to make the casing which is housing the tourbillon. In fact, for many instances, the whole watch is made of precious metal except the straps which are often made from leathers such as alligator hides.

$500,000 Price Tag - Piguet Jules Audemars

Some also believe in the theory that the high tourbillon watch prices are partially due to the price fixing controlled by the monopoly of the Swiss watch industry. However the when Chinese watchmakers tried their hand and entered the luxury watch market with Chinese tourbillons, the prices of high end tourbillon watches have not dropped at all.

What ever the price, each piece of tourbillon watch is a piece of fine work of art made of expensive materials, time and expertise. There is nothing like the appeal of the mini museum of mechanics visual effect that distinguishes these watches. Like Ferrari cars, tourbillon watches are not for everyone because they are extremely expensive, typically carrying a six figure price tag. In fact tourbillon prices can be much higher than Ferrari cars. The Breguet 2755PR, for instance, bearing the name of the tourbillon inventor, is more expensive than a Ferrari California. The Piguet Jules Audemars Tourbillon Chronograph watch is priced at $500,000 US dollars whereas a 2010 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano only cost around half of that money.

Cheaper Than A Watch: Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

Transcript

Throughout most of the 19th century, the wrist watch was a piece of jewelry worn by women. Men carried pocket watches. It was during the World War in 1899, that British soldiers decided fumbling around with a pocket watch during the battle was a serious waste of time.

The tools of the trade haven’t changed much since pocket watches ruled the day. In the Swiss workshop, the mechanisms are meticulously hand crafted just like they were centuries ago. The watchmaker starts with polishing parts to a mirror finish. He mixes his lavender and almond oils with a diamond paste. He extracts a part called the “cage” from a storage solution. Sets it in the paste and polishes it against a zinc block. He brushes the dust of the cage with a soft piece of wood. Another watchmaker polishes its edges, removing tiny bits of materials so other bits can fit to it. The technician attaches the gears to the cage. These gears are the balance and escape wheels. He fixes the gears on tiny rubies, because they don’t wear down easily. The second half of the cage completes this mechanism of the cage called the tourbillon. Invented in 1789 these rotating gears and a cage counteract the gravity on time keeping for more accurate results.

The watchmaker now magnifies the assembly and projects the image to a screen to confirm that the gears and levers are interacting correctly. Next he secures a wound up spring in a barrel. This is the main spring that powers the gears of the watch. He dips a pin in some grease and uses it to lubricate the spring. Then he caps the main spring with a cover and tamps it down with a special tool. He carefully positions the barrel in its slot on the main plate. The watchmaker now installs another series of gears on the main plate. They’ll transfer the power from the spring to the tourbillon. He attaches a bridge to the gears to act as a pivot as they turn. Another spot of grease keep these wheels turning efficiently. With the spring barrel and the transmission gears assembled, production now reaches a critical moment. He places the mechanism in a holder to make it easier to install the tourbillon. It’s a tricky job. The cage must be precisely positioned for its gears to receive power from the spring. He now transfers the mechanism to another holder to insert the winding stem.

Next he engraves a circular pattern onto a bridge plate. This high end finish is called perlage. The technician attaches the patterned bridge to the dial side of the watch. He assembles more gears and a number wheel the bridge. These gears will provide the date information for this timepiece. Another bridge secures the gears that lead to the date wheel. He fastens it with tiny screws. He slides the second date wheel onto its axle and checks the setting mechanism. We’ll have the up to the minute details as the watch gets a beautiful face.

Even in the age of digital and electronic wrist watches, the mechanical watch has an appeal that’s timeless. Some are amongst the most complex in the world and can cost in the six figure range. At that price, time is truly a luxury.

In a factory nestled in a scenic Swiss countryside, a highly skilled team has assembled the inner workings of a luxurious tourbillon wrist watch. Now a watch maker fits a hand crafted face onto the mechanism. Using a special tool he presses the hands onto an axle at the center of the watch. This enables him to set the time and date. The watch will be encased in 18 carat red gold bezels, sealed against the elements with rubber rings. He now fastens the middle casing to the mechanism, and then completes the installation of the winding stem and crown. The watchmaker lubricates the bridge for the auto-winding system; then engraves a paralleled rib pattern onto it. This adds visual interests to the bridge, making this luxury watch look good inside and out. After the bridge has been set with jewels, it’s ready to be installed at the center of the watch where its jewels will keep parts from rubbing against each other causing wears and tears. An artist now engraves the rotor that is to be attached to the bridge. It’s this part that will automatically wind the watch. It’s a signature piece that can reflect customer’s individual taste. This stylish rotor now is ready to be secured to the bridge. Once installed, even the slightest movement will cause this rotor to oscillate. And that action winds up the main spring of the watch.

The watchmaker now shields the timepiece with a glass dome, and then vacuums dust from the next gold bezel. He carefully cleans the clear sapphire window because even the tiniest speck of dirt could cause the watch to fail. He snaps the front bezel onto the watch; then using a special device he presses the bezel to secure it. This action also squeezes the rubber ring between the bezel and the watch to create a waterproof seal. This watch will now be water resistant to a depth of nearly 330 feet. The back casing screwed in to place so it can be removed for maintenance work during the life of the watch. Using a special tool, he tightens the casing to just the right tension. He then inspects the watch to confirm that the rotor moves freely within the case. Next step is the computer analysis of the mechanism on a device that holds the watch and simulates wrist movements while the computer evaluates its accuracy.

That’s the sound of a minute repeater, which is a feature on some models, when triggered, it chimes the time. And now this watch takes a plunge into a container of water, if bubbles appear, it will signify a leak. But there are none, so this watch is water proof. This incredible watch will set you back $150,000 dollars. But it will be an heirloom piece that stands the test of time.

Blancpain Mens Fifty Fathoms Rose Gold Tourbillon Watch

This Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Mens Tourbillon Watch comes in a polished 18K rose gold anti-magnetic case. The unidirectional black and rose gold bezel adds to the elegance exuded by the watch. A black canvas wristband secured with an adjustable buckle clasp completes the look of sophistication. The black dial is shielded by the scratch resistant sapphire window. Beneath the 12 o’clock dial there is a window features the skeleton tourbillon movement of this watch.

The watch is powered by an automatic tourbillon movement with 29 jewels. Its power reserve eliminates the necessity of daily winding and guarantees optimum precision due to the slower more regular detent of its barrel spring. The 8 day power reserve indicator is located right above the 6 o’clock mark. Luminous hands and dial allow you to see the time in dark and low lights. As a standard feature, all Blancpain tourbillon watches are water resistant from 30 up to 300 meters. This watch is guaranteed to work even 1,000 feet (300 meters) under water.

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First Chinese Tourbillon: The Mystery Tourbillon

As with any high-quality item of superb quality, a frequent concern is the cost. Many would-be wearers of these exquisite watches are daunted by the price tags of these timepieces. The tourbillon has long been the exclusive preserve of elite Swiss watchmakers, to obtain a piece of these beautiful artworks, spending the upwards of USD50,000-100,000 is not uncommon. However the Chinese tourbillons, some even selling under $1000, have made this marvel of micro-engineering accessible as never before. Chinese watches have entered the market and a number of Chinese watch manufacturers are manufacturing tourbillons at affordable prices. Chinese tourbillon watches are amongst the most affordable and quality choices for those seeking to buy exceptional accuracy in an artistic tourbillon timepiece with a lower budget.

The First Chinese Tourbillon
The Mystery Tourbillon was made in 1993 by Hong Kong’s master watchmaker Kiu Tai Yu a member of the prestige Horological Academy of Independent Creators (ACHI). It was the first tourbillon movement made by the Chinese. Many considered Master Kiu’s tourbillon watches as pure arts as they were never intended for general sale.

Chinese Tourbillons and Movements

Tianjin Sea-Gull
The Chinese watch maker Tianjin Sea-Gull, in business since 1955, manufactures a fourth of the precision timepieces produced on the entire planet. Sea-Gull’s first tourbillon movement ST80 was developed in 2005. It was the successor to its most successful movement ST6D.

Sea-Gull: ST8080G Double Tourbillon

A large proportion of ST6D had sadly found their way into high quality counterfeits, such as fake Rolex and Omega. Nevertheless the ST80 movement has earned a good reputation in Sea-Gull watches and external brands.

Sea-Gull’s first double tourbillon watch ST8080, with one carrousel and one common axis-tourbillon, was released in 2006. ST8080G is the luxury version, encased in 18k rose gold with a crocodile hide strap, the build is absolutely amazing. Its retail price in China is around CNY230,000 (USD35,000). Although the price may seem high to some, many tourbillon watch fanatics consider it as an absolute bargain to own such an amazing piece.

Beijing: Double Tourbillon

Beijing
The Beijing Watch Factory produces the TB01-2 flying carrousel-tourbillon which currently is the most expensive Chinese tourbillon on the market. Titanium flying tourbillon cage is featured in this watch, both the dial and movement are usually elaborately decorated as well. Beijing has also developed TB02, a double-tourbillon, TB03, an 8-day tourbillon, TB04, a dual-axis tourbillon, and, MRB1 a tourbillon with minute-repeater.

Shanghai
Watches made by the Shanghai Watch Factory were once touted as a luxurious status symbol among Chinese Communist elites. They are the oldest and most highly regarded of Chinese watchmakers. Shanghai manufactures a full range of quality timepieces. Commencing with its Classic Tourbillon the tempo moves up to its top-of-the-line Orbital Tourbillon. The distinguishing characteristic of the Orbital is a tourbillon escapement that orbits its outer dial mounted on a 12-hour karrusel platform.

Liaoning Made BHI 150 Anniversary Watch

Liaoning
Although the Liaoning Watch Factory only began developing their tourbillon movement since early 21st century, they have great success due to the much lower cost of their tourbillon movements. Liaoning has developed a unique aesthetic for their skeleton tourbillons that make them distinctive from the ones from the skeletons made by Sea-Gull, Beijing etc. The Liaoning movement was even used as the 150th anniversary watch of the prestigious British Horological Institute. Swiss watch makers Cecil Purnell also use an ebauche of the Liaoning tourbillon, finished in Switzerland with local content and sell them on the market as Swiss watches.

Most of these watches are created by skilled professionals all over the world who spend more than two months crafting a perfect watch. Companies that specialize only in tourbillon watches may offer some of the best prices since they do not spend time and resources on other jewelry or watch designs such as chronographs, chronometers, and clocks, digital watches, pocket watches, stopwatches or table clocks. In fact, only the most qualified and seasoned watchmakers can make these movements and they are held to the strictest in quality control standards.

Balance wheel, pallet fork and escape wheel of an assembled tourbillon.

There can also be many other features to highlight the tourbillon movement. The movement is mechanical but wound manually. A good watch can have a long power reserve such as 60 hours. It can also have a handcrafted caliber of one minute and 360 degrees of bridge tourbillon movement. Other aesthetic features such as jewels, special finishing and decorative may also add to the watch’s appeal. Most of the watches also have Roman numeral indices to add a touch of sophistication and elegance and come with special packaging, which makes them great for gifts. It is also possible to find a company that offers a lifetime warranty on the Tourbillon movement.

There is no doubt that tourbillon watches still hold a certain allure and mystique to many. Craftspeople that are able to make these watches are held in the highest regard in the industry and owning one of their creations signals membership in a very exclusive club. However, the club is opening its doors to many more with the price of these watches falling and more are discovering the beauty of tourbillon movement.

Zenith Men's Defy Xtreme Tourbillon Titanium Chronograph Watch

The Zenith Men’s Tourbillon Titanium Chronograph Watch is an example of an exclusive watch traditionally available only to the extreme jet set. Utilizing the finest materials and extreme precision, this watch is nonetheless principally a status symbol. The finely machined parts of the tourbillon mechanism are highlighted in the design so that the Zenith is also a mini-museum displaying the mechanism for the fascination and admiration of those around you. This watch can cost anywhere from $80,000 to $150,000.

Aqua Master Men's Tourbillon Diamond Watch

The Aqua Master Men’s Tourbillon Diamond Watch is an example of a recent edition to the marketplace that strives to offer similar elegance and status without the famous tourbillon watches price. Available on Amazon for around $3,500, this watch still falls into the elite category. Instead of titanium, stainless steel is used, though there is no noticeable reduction in accuracy or performance. Styled to be flashy, this watch is set inside a ring of shiny stones and prominently displays the tourbillon device in a classic-looking face design.

Dropping even farther down the price scale is the Steinhausen Tourbillon Mechanical Watch costs around $1,500. Tuned and styled to be highly accurate and readable, this watch offers a more subdued design. The exposed tourbillon device and elegant numerals will still generate gasps of appreciation, but in a much more subtle fashion. This watch does not come equipped with the James Bond diving watch features of the Zenith, but is nonetheless a highly functional and stylish watch.

Shattering the price boundary entirely, the Daniel Steiger Men’s Evolution 35 Jewel Automatic Tourbillion Multi-Function Watch costs only around $200. This is not a real tourbillon but a “tourbillon style watch”, however it looks like that it costs a lot more and very closely resembles the real thing. This multifunction watch is highly practical and durable and manages to be both dignified and showy at the same time. This is a great watch for people who want to show off a tourbillon device without mortgaging the house.

Daniel Steiger Men's 2084-M Evolution 35 Jewel Automatic Tourbillion Watch

Despite their accuracy, tourbillon mechanisms are mostly desirable for their fascinating appearance and status-raising effect. The addition of several affordable tourbillon watches to the market has finally made this exclusive feature available to normal mortals. The past exclusivity means that those interested in purchasing a chic watch/conversation piece can benefit from the vaulted reputation of tourbillon watches without having the incredible bank roll previously required. A visit to Amazon.com will demonstrate the amazing range of tourbillon watches for sale as well as greatly increased access now available as a result of lower prices.