What is a Tourbillon Watch? How A Watch Tourbillon Works - Watch and Learn #54

[@HoosierRandy]

Mark... That was really helpful. Never understood what a tourbillion was. Knew it was expensive. Thank you.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for checking it out.

[@WilliamJPrah]

One of the cleanest, clearest explanations on video that I've seen in the 15 or so years that I've understood at least a little how this worked. I'm glad I watched and learned! Oh, and Breguet's smallest contribution to watchmaking is one of my favorites, Breguet Hands! Those and Dauphine are my two favorites.

[@islandwatch]

Thank you so much.

[@slickswings]

A toblerone is more affordable and edible.

[@johnymcmememan2151]

That was beautiful.

[@thomash4578]

Swiss made!

[@srocks6183]

Anything is edible if you put your mind to it.

[@boxingfan5742]

😄😄😄 Well played, Sir.😄

[@elenachatzigeorgaki5990]

😂😂😂

[@isai1331]

It is amazing and complicated! I'm a mechanical engineering student and I found information about the motion equation for this kind of watch which I find truly interesting

[@robertspence5071]

Another really excellent tutorial Marc. Thanks for that. I know that Swiss watch tourbillons start in the tens of thousands of dollars and just skyrocket from there. I always wanted one, just so I could see the movement in front of me. I found a Chinese watch company, Minorva, where I was able to purchase one for about $800 - not small potatoes, but cheap cheap cheap for a tourbillon. And to boot, the watch has a 29 1/2 day moon phase - icing on the cake. I hardly wear the watch but every once in a while I look at it because the movement is fascinating, albeit probably of little value functionally. Thanks again Marc

[@rogergrant455]

Wonderful video Mark! Simple and answers all my questions. Keep up the good work. Will share it with a "watch head" friend of mine. Thanks!

[@tomt810]

Definitely added for the cool factor, but so cool. Love watching tourbillon watches do their thing.

[@sportster883able]

Truly excellent - best description of this complex complication I have seen. Brilliant.

[@islandwatch]

Glad you found it useful.

[@notyourgrandadswatch7705]

Thank you for that explanation. Very clear and concise sir. Beautiful Seagull as well. What an awesome technology

[@Bickidan]

Bought two Breguet pocket-watches today. Now I am doing my research. Doh!

[@garrettjanssen7683]

Thanks Mark for the info! The ultimate complication in my book is the minute repeater followed closely by the tourbillon and then the rattrapante chronograph

[@islandwatch]

Nice trio there!

[@lenpowell6647]

I challenge any man who goes as a mechanical engineer to better this.Whether helpful or not in the scheme of timekeeping it is bloody beautifull.It kicks quartz out of bed!As I watch your reviews and others I tend to find my old love for tickers come alive again.Started with clocks eons ago.Great stuff. Cheers.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for checking it out

[@MinhajMalik]

Simply beautiful. Thanks for another great video Marc.

[@hendarinriandi1100]

Very nice video ... Even though tourbillon is really not useful for wristwatches, it is still fun to watch that mechanism

[@jbbrabant]

Great video Marc, I want one just because it salutes the day when it was an asset in helping to assure accuracy & besides it looks cool 😎

[@waltroseberry9712]

An incredible engineering accomplishment. Most impressive.

[@sleeperawake9818]

great explanation, thanks Mark!

[@gtaylor2770]

Best explanation of a tourbillon I've seen. Good job. According to my French dictionary, a tourbillon is a 'whirlpool' or a 'whirlwind' -- which makes sense!

[@islandwatch]

Total sense, thanks for watching.

[@MrShinobi797]

An Excellent presentation Marc. Never understood HOW the Tourbillon works, until now. THANKS!!! 👌🏾👍🏽👊🏽

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for watching!

[@CodyCannon11]

Quite interesting, thank you my friend. Now I at least understand it with basic knowledge. Thank you so much. I have been trying to figure out how it works or what it does, and this at least have a clear picture.

[@grumpybollox7949]

amazing, thanks for the video

[@cashau2965]

Informative and outspoken, another winner, thanks Mark!!

[@islandwatch]

Thank you!!!!!

[@HandleTurner]

Fantastic video Mark.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@oilczar]

Great explanation, as always. Thanks, Mark!

[@tenacioustoys]

really useful explanation, thank you

[@TheSweede12]

Thanks for a great description. Pure class as always

[@islandwatch]

Much appreciated.

[@MrLebron1988]

Wow . Amazing explanation!!

[@islandwatch]

Thanks so much for watching.

[@sn2784]

As always, a really nice episode of watch and learn! Very interesting to watch and easy to understand the explanation :)

[@islandwatch]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@LUIGI50013]

Thanks for explaining this fantastic and whimsical movement although spending 80k on a Swiss watch is crazy your seagull is quite beautiful for 2k

[@islandwatch]

Thank you!

[@neilpiper9889]

£360 for a basic Sea-gull Turbouillon on Aliexpress

[@glumfish6862]

Well that’s not all the story. Obviously the quality is a less and servicing will cost at least 1/4 of the price. Plus you won’t find parts easily.

[@sublyme2157]

Can't help but smile every time I see the 009 :)

[@islandwatch]

Haha, me too!

[@manojvasantharaj6964]

Hi Mark, What is the power reserve on this model, have you tested it?

[@llraven6357]

Does this watch wind clockwise, counterclockwise or both? My hubby recently purchased one.

[@bubbab7792]

Great video Marc! You have the best learning videos and a knowledgeable dissertation of the material. I appreciate you breaking down the material to the layman. The tourbillion is aesthetically pleasing. Thank you, I'm going to watch this several times.

[@islandwatch]

There's a nice satisfaction in watching it.

[@9201Tnt]

Great video, learning something new from you everyday!

[@islandwatch]

Glad to hear it.

[@adramirez51]

Awesome job Mark I want one now.

[@islandwatch]

That's the idea :)

[@dagsabot5589]

This looks like it would cost a tourbillion, amirite?

[@islandwatch]

LOL, dead on!

[@billmorgan4933]

Very well done! Thanks!

[@islandwatch]

Thank you.

[@Dragon_rls]

Thanks Mark.

[@bunberrier]

Thanks for the explanation. I wonder how much this reduces the power reserve.

[@nrs6956]

Many thanks. Great video!

[@Cysubtor_8vb]

As for the tourbillon being a gimmick, nowadays it essentially is, but I read somewhere that back in its day it was a notable improvement in timekeeping. Eventually more efficient methods were developed, however, and tourbillons fell from the norm, becoming more of a show piece. Still, looks really nice, however, and showcases an era in horology.

[@edwardblack7133]

Thank you...informative

[@commandZee]

Watching that tourbillon rotate I can almost hear The Game Of Thrones theme 😝

[@mccl0ut]

wiener wienerwiener wienerwiener

[@cashau2965]

instead of the wienerwurst that someone suggested ,to an old dog like me , the blue danube walzer from 2001 a space odissey comes to mind...

[@Bobby2Hotty83]

OMG YEAH 100% NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT

[@claudiuluminosu2704]

Can you do a video explaining Geneva stripes and others such decorations?

[@lucienpetersen]

Yes please Marc. Ive not even heard that term before and i consider myself a watch nerd. Also sunburst and, well, cant think of other terms just right now...

[@cfauvel]

thank you for the explanation!!.....Now I want one :-(

[@simoncrawford350]

Nicely explained!, Thanks Marc👍🍻

[@islandwatch]

Thanks!

[@recondmv6342]

Thanks. The explanation was great.

[@islandwatch]

Thank you.

[@jamessmith6402]

Very interesting video thanks 👍

[@islandwatch]

You are welcome!

[@xXLegendXx70]

Good video man. But what do you think about the Seagull Tourbillon?

[@kjhendricks55]

Gorgeous tourbillon. Mesmerizing.

[@islandwatch]

Yes, it is .Thanks for watching!

[@Robert.Dickson]

Great explanation Marc. Personally I think having a tourbillon in your watch would only really give you bragging rights within the watch community. As you say, there are plenty of movements out there that are ultra reliable. Why bother with the extra expense? Just buy an additional watch instead.

[@islandwatch]

True, but it's so wondrous to view.

[@Robbe1984]

What would you say is the best budget tourbillon one can buy?

[@STohme]

Thank you Marc for this interesting video on the tourbillon which is certainly one among the most beautiful watch complication. Fortunately, Sea-Gull provide this technology almost at affordable price (around 3 K USD or more). On certain Sea-Gull tourbillon movement the date and the power reserve are also provided.

[@islandwatch]

Yes, I have sold those in the past as well.

[@samadrid6321]

Good explanation, but you should have included the stationary gear around which the cage rotates and to what the escape wheel is engaged. That is what got me, until I understood that there was a stationary gear I could not understand how this worked. The other thing is to mention the pinion at the working end of the center staff of the tourbillon since it is geared to the seconds hand and the pinion is what moves the rest of the gears in the watch as the tourbillon rotates. Those two, the stationary gear and the main tourbillon pinion, are critical to help someone understand how this works.

[@karanjain5663]

Extremely helpful - I was actually able to picture the gear and pinion the way you explained it. Many thanks!

[@shyamsundhar2901]

Bravo....kudos.....wonder explanation

[@islandwatch]

Thanks!

[@greatlakescruiser5720]

Thanks Mark! Can you do a watch and lean explaining what a Grand Complication is?

[@islandwatch]

I can try; do you have one I can borrow :)

[@greatlakescruiser5720]

Considering the watch that was being featured in the video I was watching at the time I heard the term being used I'd have to say not in this lifetime. The presenter referred to a certain complication he pointed out as a Grand Complication, but that was it...no explanation as to what that meant, or what qualified it to be referred to as such.

[@magnustoftegaard4014]

Hi Mark! I've been a big fan of your videos for a while especially your Watch And Learn. It would be great if you did one about screw down pushers. I have trouble figuring out how water resistance works on them. Are they just made to prevent them from being used/pushed under water, or do they actually contribute to the water resistance when screwed down? I own a seiko fligmaster sna411 and i dont know if I actually need to screw them down when I am swimming with it. Maybe it is a stupid question but i would love to hear your thoughts :) And again thank you very much for your videos you are a big help!

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for the suggestion; will consider it.

[@neilpiper9889]

Could you please do a video on the positional variation compensation systems for accuracy in watches. The Swiss use the Etachron system and Seagull use the Triovis regulating system I believe.

[@melchizedekpsj]

Yeah, I have seen this exact piece last year at a local Red Army Watches boutique. Very lovely.

[@namesbinge3073]

What I know about Tourbillon is it's a piece of art and increase the accuracy.

[@darinreddy951]

How does the winding energy get to the tourbillon?

[@alhasanalkindi2051]

Thanks Mark

[@islandwatch]

You are welcome.

[@kevgermany]

Thanks. Was that a diamond in the middle of the toubillion?

[@islandwatch]

No, just a normal stone.

[@mohdmaqbool2870]

very very nice watch

[@islandwatch]

It sure is.

[@Animalkisser]

What´s the name of the scheleton?

[@IKucheINtortIE]

First time i notice that this movement has its escape wheel capped with a diamond😳 actually this is the first time ever that i see the escape wheel capped🤔 is this stone functional?

[@christo_reese]

So in the end, it's just a fancy way of saying 'expensive with complicated winding movement inside' automatic watch 😂 Thanks for the video, Mark

[@islandwatch]

Welcome!

[@melvinanndy]

Asian tourbillons aside, as it stands, if im not wrong the most affordable swiss tourbillon can be bought at ard 20k USD - its the Tag Heuer Carrera Calliber 02T (theres a 01T but i think they got replaced with this newer one cos i cant find it in my country anymore). And Mont Blanc did another for around 30-40k? Anything else would be in the 6 digit range especially if we're talking brands like Breguet, Audimar Piguet, Jeager Le Coutier, IWC (basically big names that one would associate any intricate complications or movements with) etc. But I do think, based on trending that tourbillons are getting a lil cheaper...another way to look at it would also mean they are getting less and less popular and may eventually fade away....which is kinda sad...this complication was revolutionary in terms of the first generation of pocket timepieces... well if you really want one, Seagull and Poljot sells tourbillons for cheap (well under 10k for most). The difference? Prestige i guess...wear this around watch enthusiasts and be prepared to be called a snoob or similar...also from experience, asian made tourbillons are extremely fragile so dont drop them or they will most likely stop working and you'll hafta go through the trouble of sending it back to the factory (most likely the case because most local watch makers wouldnt dare to meddle with such a complicated complication).

[@navajasrs2402]

I did it! Three Tuesdays ago I thought watch people were elitist assholes wasting money on archaic trinkets and today I finished watching every minute of 54 Watch and Learns and countless other videos! Thank you Marc! (And TGV.)

[@navajasrs2402]

I fell down this rabbit hole while researching a good watch to wear while coaching soccer. I'm still tumbling. After various mind stops at the Timex Flybacks and such, I ended up getting an AWG M100 G-Shock. (I have 6.75"-ish wrists). I next had on deck the Paul Newman looking Citizen Brycen and a J model SNZ from a shop that shall not be named. I cancelled that order however when my wife gave me the out by buying me a "custom" watch for my birthday. Now, this thing is not what I would have purchased for myself, but I appreciated the thought and given her tools at "My Timex" it is exactly what I would have put together for myself if I had. It's a cream dial scout chrono in a titanium-ish looking coated brass case on a plastic coated leather slip through strap. BUT I NEED MOAR!!!! Tomorrow I have a Hmailton champagne dial Khaki King arriving, unfortunately not from Marc because they won't sell to him. Nice going Swatch... They won't sell to Marc because he doesn't have a "brick and mortar" store, so I have to get it from a shop that shall not be named instead. Super smart there Swatch. :-/ BUT, on my wish list waiting to come in is that hooty Red Star chrono. I'm hitting buy on that as soon as I get the notice that it's back. I also have a half dozen Orients on my wish list, almost pulled the trigger on some custom Undones, might give Dan Henery 1964 a whirl, and love the quirky funk of Spinnaker. Ha. What a world.

[@thomash4578]

A wise (bat)man on the Internet once said "Do not get into watches!"

[@zzergg8188]

Very interesting

[@islandwatch]

Thank you.

[@samuellarouche1894]

Is a tourbillon harder to make than a perpetual calendar and a minute repeater? Of course JLC’s gyrotourbillon is absolutely insane but a minute repeater is also one monster of a compilation

[@watchesaliswiss714]

thank you for the vedio-i want to make a tourbillon by my self-can you schw us the component of the tourbillon -& how the ecapment made ?thank you brother

[@HDNShare]

So the purpose of tourbillon is to increase the accuracy of the watch, but it only works well for pocket watch, not wristwatch. But people still want it on wristwatch because it is a masterpiece invention while it's useless on wristwatch.

[@islandwatch]

Correct. 100% correct.

[@markgearing]

I would dispute the claim that a tourbillon is useless on a wristwatch, unless you can demonstrate that your wrist spends 25% of its time in each of 4 major orientations and that your watch spends 100% of its time on your wrist. Also, a tourbillon is no more useless on a wristwatch than the watch itself has become useless, given that we all have internet connected supercomputers in our pockets which keep and display time far more accurately than our ability to read it. A tourbillon is a piece of mechanical art on a piece of mechanical jewellery. And a real spin to watch. Pun intended.

[@azizhusseinz2083]

That's when Engineering Student gets A++ on System Dynamic.

[@iceduckz]

You barely moved the hour hand :P The whole time it was there blocking the view. Good video though. Thanks!

[@islandwatch]

Glad you enjoyed it anyway.

[@timothythomas1626]

So A Good Visual of a TourBillion . Is Tommy Lee drumming upside down

[@venom7137]

Timothy Thomas best comment I’ve seen

[@joeq.publicus3616]

Damn Son you could narrate my own death and I would be mesmerized to the very end. Kudos on another excellent video.

[@islandwatch]

LOLOLOL Thanks for the vote!

[@mgrsdgfsdafsdgrsdgfsdg6980]

I was once lost in the jungle with nothing but an axe and my swiss made tourbillion. I smashed the watch and made a fish hook out of the gears that saved my life. It was a 90k watch, but i ate for a week until rescue came!

[@islandwatch]

Lol

[@franklinmiranda8835]

😂😂

[@jasonemanuel9070]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@Gea.Styles]

Mgrsdgfsd Afsdgrsdgfsdg epic adventure

[@keggerous]

I think it would be so cool if Chinese manufacturing became synonymous with quality. I know now, when people see "made in china" or in this instance "china made", they think cheap. But the Chinese are starting to become aware of this issue and they are stepping up their game in a lot of manufacturing fields. One day, we may all be looking for that ultra rare Chinese Tourbillon!

[@rodschermerhorn6996]

keggerous yup and they made it to be affordable or no one would own one.

[@thefreshestprince89]

Perhaps it's worth calling out that there are tourbillons that rotate on more than one axis or however you'd describe it. I can't really comprehend the real value of a tourbillon that rotates on a 2D plain as it wouldn't really be counteracting gravity all that much...or am I missing something?

[@islandwatch]

During editing I realized I didn't discuss multi-axial tourbillons. They are just more complicated, not necessarily more accurate.

[@thefreshestprince89]

Long Island Watch Interesting...Thanks for the great video!

[@rokihmillano6432]

I Love Watch With Tourbillon 3D . .

[@rodschermerhorn6996]

It's made for the art of watch making.its to show off,the watch maker and the person that owns one.

[@DrFrankLondon]

Not seeing any need for a Tourbillon on a wrist watch, I don't even like it as a complication. For me it belongs on pocket watches and has nothing to do with a wrist watch. This is of course my subjective opinion.

[@fez877]

A tourbillon wristwatch is much more accurate than one without it.

[@jdkimple]

Fez A) Not really. As Mark pointed out, wristwatches see all sorts of different angles, so it's not needed B) Standard Rolex is +/- 2 seconds a day. Heck, I have my Seiko NH35 movements regulated to that range. How much more accurate do we need to be? I would hazard to say if we do need to be more accurate, go with a quartz.

[@rodschermerhorn6996]

It's for the art of watches.

[@Bickidan]

In engineering, the simpler and finer the movement, the thinner the watch. Super thin watches with mechanical movements are genius and valuable. *Patek Phillipe* The idea (and you should appreciate this as a man) is to solve the problems. All of the problems. Like it's a job or something. But it's gonna cost ya!

[@BusyBadger]

Not my style at all, but still a very nice looking watch. It's not one you'd forget after seeing.

[@islandwatch]

Don't think so. Thanks for looking.

[@romsnsama23]

HOW IS KENNETH COLES WATCHES I JUST BOUGHT 1 AUTOMATIC WATCH COSTING ME 160$. GENEVA WATCH COMPANY MAKES WATCH FOR KENNETH COLE SO PLZ LET ME KNOW HOW IS THAT COMPANY AND IS IT WORTHY?

[@fez877]

A Tag Heuer carrera 02 is actually quite afforable for a tourbillon.

[@islandwatch]

How affordable?

[@scottcrawford3745]

Used TAG Heuer Carrera Tourbillon Heuer-02T on a respected reseller website has a price of 9,590 €....( 14,500 CDN for me)... not exactly affordable...

[@scottcrawford3745]

Makes that Sea-Gull an absolute STEAL!!

[@dandydoc8386]

So what are the least expensive non Chinese tourbillons available?

[@islandwatch]

I've sold some around $1200 in the past.

[@dandydoc8386]

Thanks. Yes useless but mesmerizing to look at. Thanks for another great video.

[@CoordinatedCarry]

Why is it said “Torblión” but spelt Tour Billion?

[@oscargustavoarcosruiz8793]

You sell that Sea Gull?

[@islandwatch]

It is on our website for purchase.

[@PAINTnPONG]

Hey, I got to be like #1000. Yay me!

[@larvancioramos9748]

Marc, my man, you have been doing great vids!!! If you least like that, im gonna send to you a invicta diver mickey mouse dial. You earned boy 😃.

[@islandwatch]

Lol, thank you.

[@larvancioramos9748]

Christopher Schuster lets do it 😨

[@grahambroughton4416]

The guy who invented the tourbillon said in a wrist watch you are the tourbillon

[@watchlover8297]

If anyone thinks the swiss made watches, stainless or gold are ACTUALLY worth the money you're an idiot. I own a couple and they're not worth the money so fair play to the chinese for making a quality watch at a decent price.

[@weiniesail]

Get some microfiber gloves! Those gloves are for handling wall art. I cringe at the amount of lint those gloves are leaving everywhere.

[@m.jailam8861]

Tour be owned indeed, auto generated subtitles.

[@ForbinColossus]

I expected a Tourbillion to be used in space flight. I dont think that's happened, however

[@islandwatch]

That would be cool!

[@stanis4218]

No gravity in space hence no influence on position variations.

[@chadderstar6880]

It's like if your car automatically rotated the tires after every drive.

[@islandwatch]

That would be awesome!

[@greaterbayareahero1401]

Seagull makes very affordable Tourbillon.

[@kiranranjitkar2748]

Rich people like to put afford on tourbillion watches. It's the hardest thing they would ever do.

[@rajgill7576]

Do you actually wear two watches in public