14 of the best tourbillon watches from least to most expensive
Zach BlassOn June 26 1801, Abraham-Louis Breguet patented the tourbillon – a new regulator that revolutionised watchmaking precision and timekeeping. Tourbillon, which translates to “whirlpool” or “whirlwind”, involves a mechanism in which the regulating organ rotates within a cage. With its perpetual rotation and shift in orientation, its movement negates the effects gravity can have on the accuracy of a watch – a particularly crucial development for pocket watches, which rest in a fixed position in a pocket.
In the modern era, a tourbillon is not necessary for accurate timekeeping. As the legendary master watchmaker Philippe Dufour once put it: “Your wrist is the tourbillon.” Nevertheless, the tourbillon complication, as one of a few high complications, is coveted by collectors for its complexity, but also its sheer beauty. As such, tourbillons are typically associated with hefty price tags, but that’s not always the case – though we’ve collated affordable tourbillons in another article. Below are some of the best tourbillon watches you can buy, from least to most expensive.
Horage Autark Tourbillon
A buying guide that lists the best tourbillon watches is understandably exclusionary. Horage, however, has made a name for itself by developing in-house tourbillon movements that are presented in watches surprisingly approachable in price. Its latest project, the Autark Tourbillon, is an incredible effort currently underway, with deliveries to begin in 2025. A grade 5 titanium sports watch with an in-house micro-rotor tourbillon movement, it boasts favoured dimensions of 39mm in diameter, below 9mm in thickness, and 48.3mm lug-to-lug, with a 100-metre depth rating. Its case-matching bracelet is highly sizeable thanks to Horage’s micro-adjustment clasp with ten notches that each offers a millimetre of adjustment. There are various dial colours to choose from, along with the choice to keep or omit the power reserve indicator. The K-TMR movement offers 72 hours of power reserve, uses a platinum micro-rotor for maximum efficiency, and has a silicon spring and escapement for resistance against magnetism – and this is all (starting) for below US$16,000. Price: starting from CHF 12,990
Frederique Constant Manufacture Classic Tourbillon
If you are interested in this price tier of tourbillon but would prefer a dress watch aesthetic, Frederique Constant and its Manufacture Classic Tourbillon is a solid option. Its in-house, automatic tourbillon movement is packaged in a 39mm stainless steel case that is 50 metres water-resistant and 10.9mm thick. With its material and depth rating, the Manufacture Classic Tourbillon in steel is a feasible casual daily wearer. Price: US$15,695
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon
Looking to split the difference with a watch that is both sporty and dressy? During LVMH Watch Week 2024, TAG Heuer launched a trio of Carrera chronograph watches outfitted with a distinct and eye-catching teal dial. At the higher end of this group is a tourbillon variant that, in consideration of brand prestige and high-complication, is positioned attractively in its retail price just below US$25,000. At 42mm in diameter and 14.3mm thick, its 100-metre water-resistant case is reasonably proportioned for most wrists – its higher thickness is forgiven when the bonus of a chronograph complication is considered. The watch is driven by TAG Heuer’s in-house automatic TH20-09 movement with 65 hours of power reserve. Price: US$24,050
H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour Tourbillon Concept Pop
The tourbillon is typically embedded within traditionally-styled timepieces, but H. Moser & Cie. has never been one to be stifled by tradition. Blending traditional know-how and high-watchmaking with a bold burst of colour, the Endeavour Tourbillon Concept Pop collection presents tourbillon timepieces like you have never seen before. All of the dials are comprised of semi-precious stones such as Burmese jade, pink opal, and lemon chrysoprase, paired together in various ways to create contrast – there is nothing stealthy about these watches. Inside and exhibited is Moser’s in-house HMC 805, a one-minute flying-tourbillon movement decorated to a very fine standard with striping and bevelling. There are six different configurations, all cased in steel (40mm x 10.4mm), with each variant limited to five pieces. Price: US$82,500 (all other configs), US$86,900 (turquoise and coral)
Breguet Classique 3357BA
It would be criminal not to showcase a Breguet watch in a “best of” list of tourbillons. The Breguet Classique 3357BA is one of the cleanest and most classic tourbillon designs the brand offers, housed in a 35mm precious metal case that feels vintage in size and can suit a very wide spectrum of wrists. Aside from Breguet’s marquee complication, the Classique 3357BA showcases many unmistakable signs of the brand. For example, there’s the engine-turned dial, a unique production number, a secret signature, Breguet hands, a fluted caseband with welded lugs, and screwed bars instead of spring bars. Furthermore, the movement, seen on both the front and back of the watch, is gorgeously embellished with fine hand-engraving. Price: starting at US$119,100 (in yellow gold)
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon Titanium
Vacheron Constantin has plenty of more classic tourbillon watches to explore, but its Overseas offers a distinct take on this traditional complication, with various metal and colours to choose from. All of the watches feature Vacheron’s signature three-strap bundle, with a quick-release bracelet, rubber strap, and leather strap to swap between – making one watch feel like three. Of its variants, though, the Overseas Tourbillon in titanium is easily one of the most compelling, contrasting a contemporary case material with such a classical complication. Of course, befitting of the Vacheron Constantin name and its holy trinity status, both the movement and case are finished to the highest standards. Price: US$129,000
Daniel Roth Tourbillon Rose Gold
Louis Vuitton’s revived Daniel Roth has seen a strong pivot from its days under the stewardship of Bulgari, becoming a haven of small production and high horology pieces fabricated with traditional techniques that would make its namesake proud. The second watch birthed from this new LV-era of Daniel Roth is a tourbillon, with the signature shaped case, 35.5mm wide and 9.2mm thick, made of 18k rose gold. If you like true guilloché, the Daniel Roth Tourbillon has the far less common pinstripe or guillochage en ligne that will surely draw intrigue. Exhibited from the front and the back is the a hand-finished DR001 movement, with a very admirable 80 hours of power reserve. Price CHF 155,000 (limited to 50 pieces per year)
Laurent Ferrier Tourbillon Grand Sport Pursuit
Do you notice something strange about this Laurent Ferrier? The Grand Sport Tourbillon Pursuit won the Tourbillon Prize at the 2023 GPHGs, but its dial doesn’t actually show off the tourbillon – something that was more common in the past with brands like Patek Philippe. Considering the intricacy of its architecture, complexity of assembly, and visual beauty, it seems strange not to boast a tourbillon on the dial side. Laurent Ferrier perhaps found an appreciation for keeping tourbillons under the radar during his tenure in Patek Philippe’s Advanced Research department prior to starting his own brand.
Ferrier’s integrated bracelet Sport is inspired by his passion for the automotive and motorsport world. Like the Sport Auto, the Grand Sport Tourbillon Pursuit is fabricated in grade 5 titanium, but its dimensions has grown to 44mm in diameter and 13.4mm in thickness (from 41.5mm x 12.7mm). Of course, collectors love a salmon dial, but it’s the reverse side that is most striking – with a beautifully hand-finished, hand-wound tourbillon movement that uses darkened and straight-grained bridges that allow the anglage and chamfers to really pop. Price: CHF 175,000
F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain Vertical Calibre 1519
When I first learned of F.P. Journe’s vertical tourbillon, I initially thought – what’s the point? Doesn’t this just make the watch unnecessarily thicker? To be clear, the Tourbillon Souverain Calibre 1519 clocks in at 42mm in diameter and 13.6mm thick – so by no means too thick. The reason for the vertical orientation is to counter the notion of a tourbillon being somewhat purposeless in the modern era of watchmaking. When the watch is off the wrist and lying flat on a table, it acts in the same manner a tourbillon in a pocket watch initially counteracted gravity while resting in the wearer’s pocket. The multi-axis nature of gyrotourbillons is probably the ultimate solution – but this remains cool, nonetheless.
Further adding allure to the watch is the solid rose gold movement that also acts as the majority of the dial, its front side engine-turned for added visual flourish. The sub-dials are comprised of grand feu enamel with black printing, and the running seconds, thanks to its constant force mechanism, is deadbeat rather than sweeping. Price: starting from CHF 244,500
Hublot MP-15 Takashi Murakami Tourbillon Sapphire
While the tourbillon could be described as traditional horological art, the Hublot MP-15 Takashi Murakami Tourbillon Sapphire turns the complication into modern art. This watch is indicative of just how skilled Hublot is at watchmaking, both in the mastery of materials and external construction along with the ability to develop in-house, high-complication movements. Murakami’s signature flower is well-known beyond the world of watchmaking, the form coveted and sought-after in the art world. So to have wearable Murakami art paired with a high complication is a really neat thing. Its sapphire case is somehow perfectly shaped into Murakami’s flower form, the curves of each petal irrefutably a huge challenge to manufacture. Inside, the in-house MP-15 flying tourbillon offers 150 hours of power reserve – quite the feat for a hand-wound tourbillon movement. Price: US$330,000
Grand Seiko Masterpiece SLGT005 Kodo at Daybreak
The sequel to Grand Seiko’s first-ever high complication watch, the SLGT003 Kodo, the SLGT005 Kodo at Daybreak is the second watch to use Grand Seiko’s 9ST1 constant-force tourbillon movement – the first to host both mechanisms on a single axis. “Kodo” roughly translates to heartbeat, and this nomenclature stems from the fact that the distinct tick of the constant-force tourbillon is akin to a musical 16th note. The watch is effectively identical to its predecessor, with the only differences being a movement that has not been darkened, swapping rubies for colourless sapphires, and a brighter leather strap, retaining the titanium and platinum case. Price: US$365,000
Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon
Though the Roman jeweller of time is perhaps above telling other ultra-thin watchmakers to hold its beer, Bulgari did just that – cooking up the world’s thinnest tourbillon watch behind the scenes and releasing it at Watches and Wonders 2025 just one year after the former record holder launched its own at the previous edition of the fair. The former record-holding Piaget, which you will find below, measured just 2mm thick, while the Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon manages to shave off 0.15mm off – unfathomably thin. The integrated movement, dial and case are skeletonised to further cut down on unnecessary layers, but the mainplate of the movement is now made from tungsten carbide for heightened strength. The case and bracelet are fashioned in titanium, making such an ultra-thin watch as robust as possible. Price: US$678,000 (limited to 20 pieces)
Chanel J12 Bleu Diamond Tourbillon
Following the black variant that debuted Chanel’s first in-house tourbillon movement, the Calibre 5, the brand gave its J12 tourb a new spin for Watches and Wonders 2025. The J12 Bleu Diamond Tourbillon is the fruit of Chanel’s meticulous search for the perfect shade of blue ceramic, and finding gemstones to match. The 38mm case is in handsome and highly scratch-resistant matte blue ceramic, matching the three-link bracelet accentuated with bevelled edges. Its black-coated steel bezel is set with 34 baguette-cut sapphires that perfectly match the hue of the case.
Joining these sapphires are two diamonds, one of which is brilliant-cut and set within the crown, while and the other, a solitaire-cut, can be found on the cage of the flying tourbillon. For those who want high complication mixed with a strong sense of high fashion, this would be the outside-the-watch-snob-box pick. Price: on request
Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept Tourbillon
Launched last year at Watches and Wonders, Piaget made headlines with its debut of the then-thinnest tourbillon watch in the world (a record Bulgari has since stolen back). With the Altiplano Ultimate Concept, Piaget once boasted the thinnest wristwatch in the world at 2mm – a record Bulgari has since stolen back from Richard Mille (and Konstantin Chaykin from Bulgari!). Rather than chase this record once again, Piaget instead worked behind the scenes to incorporate a tourbillon mechanism into the Altiplano Ultimate Concept, suspending the cage with ball bearings, essentially making it a double-flying tourbillon, a concept we delve into much deeper in our introductory article. Price: on request