The Tourbillon: The signature complication of Jacob & Co.

The tourbillon stands as one of the most prestigious, intricate, and awe-inspiring complications in watchmaking. Jacob & Co. leads the industry with the most extensive array of tourbillon movements, showcasing an impressive range that includes: the regular tourbillon (featured in the Billionaire III), flying tourbillon (as seen in the Caviar Tourbillon), double-axis tourbillon (highlighted in the Astronomia Solar), triple-axis tourbillon (embodied in the Opera Godfather), double tourbillon (found in the Billionaire Double Tourbillon and Jean Bugatti), and even twin, triple-axis flying tourbillons (exemplified by Gotham City).

Mastering the Art of the Tourbillon

Jacob & Co. embraced the tourbillon as its hallmark complication due to its unique blend of innovation, mechanical mastery, and striking design. This complication is, more than any other, the true embodiment of being “Inspired by the Impossible.” The finest tourbillon watches offer much more than technical prowess; they captivate, mesmerize, and exude visual splendor.

But what exactly is a tourbillon? It is a mechanical device integrated into a watch movement to counteract the negative effects of gravity on accuracy. This gravitational influence primarily affects the balance wheel—the core component that determines the precision of the movement. When positioned horizontally, the balance wheel receives uniform gravitational force across its circumference.

In a vertical position, however, the balance wheel experiences uneven gravitational pull. This discrepancy stems from the hairspring, a small coil that stores energy and propels the balance wheel’s oscillation. For optimal accuracy, the movement must maintain a consistent rhythm, dictated by the hairspring. When the hairspring is fully energized and aligned with gravity, it operates at a faster pace. Conversely, as its energy depletes, resistance against gravity slows its movement. These variations contribute to inaccuracies over time.

The Tourbillon, An Engineering Marvel

The tourbillon is like a merry-go-round. It is a rotating carriage that houses the balance wheel, hairspring, and other components, continuously changing their orientation. By spinning, the tourbillon exposes the hairspring to an array of positions—whether energy is high or low, aided or hindered by gravity—thereby neutralizing gravitational discrepancies and enhancing precision.

A standard tourbillon is supported by two bridges, one above and one below, rotating around a single axis. The flying tourbillon, a Jacob & Co. specialty, is anchored only from below, allowing unobstructed visibility from above the watch dial, which is often designed to showcase this mechanical marvel. Jacob & Co. is also renowned for its twin tourbillon models, where two tourbillons operate in unison, balancing their movements to achieve superior accuracy.

The double-axis tourbillon elevates the concept by introducing a dual-rotational mechanism—one horizontal, one vertical—that broadens the range of positions experienced by the hairspring, further improving the equalization of gravitational forces and enhancing precision. The triple-axis tourbillon goes a step further, incorporating an additional rotational axis for even greater uniformity. Jacob & Co. stands as a premier expert in crafting flying, triple-axis tourbillons.

Jacob & Co.’s expertise reaches its pinnacle with the central, flying, twin, back-to-back, triple-axis tourbillon showcased in The Mystery Tourbillon. This masterpiece epitomizes the brand’s extraordinary technical innovation and artistic vision, representing the apex of the Jacob & Co. tourbillon collection.