Women’s Tourbillons Take Center Stage at the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix

The Grand Prix of watchmaking takes place in just a couple of months and this year promises to be good with so many strong contestants. Essentially this is the “Who’s Who” honors of the watch world. This year, the nice thing about it is that there are so many great women’s watches in the running. As such, we bring you a quick look at some great women’s highly technical tourbillon watches.

For those who don’t know it, a tourbillon escapement is a technical escapement that is supposed to compensate for errors in timekeeping due to the effects of gravity when the watch is in certain positions on the wrist. First developed in the early 1800s by Abraham-Louis Breguet, many state that in today’s highly precise watchmaking world the tourbillon is not really needed. Nonetheless, it is a stunning whirlwind of a mechanism visually, and also a top watchmaking feat. Below (and as seen on WorldTempus.com)  we outline a few of those special  tourbillons for women that are nominated for the Grand Prix.

From DeLaneau – a brand distinguished by its savoir faire with the artistic side of time—a special 18-karat rose gold case houses a manual wind movement with tourbillon escapement – both deftly underscoring the brand’s technical and innovative side. Part of the Dome Tourbillon collection, the Delaneau Angel is created as a unique piece. It features an incredible grand feu enamel dial with the likeness of an angel floating across it. The rose gold case is set with 35 baguette-cut diamonds and an additional 285 diamonds. Additionally, the tourbillon escapement is set with 76 diamonds (52 baguettes, 24 brilliants). In all, the watch boasts 12.44 carats of diamonds.

The iconic Chopard Happy Diamonds collection is always evolving and capturing new hearts and souls. Now, as part of the Happy Sport collection, Chopard release the Tourbillon Joaillerie – an entirely diamond-adorned timepiece that goes a step further by housing a L.U.C tourbillon movement. The L.U.C 02.16-L caliber – produced in house by Chopard – even features a diamond-set tourbillon bridge. The watch is offered in either 18-karat white or rose gold with snow set diamonds on the dial. The bezel is further bedecked with 36 trapeze-cut diamonds. In this watch, seven moving diamonds spin between the two sapphire crystals—screaming independence and free spirited elegance. The movement is endowed with nine days of power reserve. The Happy Sport Tourbillon Joaillerie proudly boasts the Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark. Making the stunning 42mm watch even more alluring is the fact that it is water resistant to 30 meters.

This newest timepiece from Chaumet, part of the Hortensia collection, is created in a limited edition of 12 pieces and clearly celebrates nature’s flowers in all their beauty. Crafted in 18-karat white gold, the manual-wind mechanical movement offers hours, minutes and tourbillon. The tourbillon escapement is designed to replicate a flower. Further underscoring the beauty of nature, the entire dial blossoms with flowers. Created using gold, precious stones, diamond setting and enamel – each watch is work of art. The grand feu enamel dial features a bouquet of hydrangeas – applied and sculpted by hand. The watch further features a sapphire caseback for viewing the intricately finished CP 12V-X caliber with floral design on the upper disk and main plate.

Once again deGrisogono takes us to the heart of bold beauty with the Tondo Tourbillon Gioiello. The blue and purple enamel backdrop to the dial-less watch further underscores the technical prowess of the tourbillon timepiece. Part of the Tondo collection, this Tourbillon Gioiello S05 is created in a limited edition of 12 pieces. Diamonds surround the watch as though framing the workmanship within. The stingray strap – a signature of deGrisogono – is offered in blue to match the color of the architecturally inspired mainplate.

Louis Vuitton Tambour Monogram Tourbillon
Part of the Tambour Monogram series, the new Louis Vuitton Tambour Monogram Tourbillon combines the signature look of the Louis Vuitton monogram design with an exceptional tourbillon escapement in a mechanical LV80 movement. Created in 18-karat white gold now, the self-winding movement is designed by La Fabrique du Temps and beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour. The watch offers 35 hours of power reserve and is fitted with a sapphire caseback for viewing the meticulous finish of the movement, that includes Geneva Stripes in a sunray motif that is meant to complement the mother-of-pearl dial. Diamonds further accent that dial for an elegant but precisely Louis Vuitton appeal.