"I have the honor of presenting to you a dissertation containing the description of a new invention for the use with time-measuring devices. I call this device the Tourbillon Regulator" - Breguet.

Considered one of the greatest horologist of his time (and he still had to create many of his greatest inventions and masterpieces). Today, Abraham-Louis Breguet is define the greatest watchmaker of all time, the one who revolutionised the technique and the design of timepieces.

To improve the accuracy of pocket-chronometers, around 1795, Breguet conceived the idea of a new type of regulator called "The Tourbillon". It was until June 26, 1801 when Abraham-Louis Breguet patented the Tourbillon, one of the most fascinating horological devices.

An exceptional invention, Breguet who had deep understanding of physical laws, he realized that the way a watch run was affected by changes in its position when timepieces were kept in vertical positions, considering that pocket watches were kept in the waistcoat pocket most of the time. He understood that the main cause of this behavior was gravity. While it was not possible to eliminate the gravity forces, Breguet thought that it was possible to compensate them by installing the regulating organ (the sprung balance) and the escapement inside a mobile carriage performing a complete rotation about its own axis once per minute.

"By means of this invention, I have successfully compensated for the anomalies arising from the different positions of the centers of gravity caused by the regulator movement. I have also succeeded in distributing the friction over all areas of the circumference of the pivots of this regulator and the holes in which these pivots move. This is done in such a way as to ensure that the lubrication of all chafing parts should remain constant despite the thickening of oils. Lastly, I have eliminated many other errors that impair the precision of the movement [...]" - Breguet.

Given the complexity of the device, it took some years before the first Tourbillon watch could be actually produced. It was until 1805 when the first Tourbillon was commercialized and presented to the public in September and October 1806 at the National Exhibition of Industrial Products in Paris. The report of the jury described it as "a mechanism called Tourbillon by which timepieces maintain the same accuracy, whatever the position, vertical or inclined, of the watch".

Breguet clients of his Tourbillon timepieces were monarch and aristocrats but what is more interesting is that most of them were used for navigation at sea and for calculating longitude. Also, some pieces belonged to leading scientists.

A century later, considering that Tourbillon was still mounted only on pocket watches or table clocks, in 1920, Alfred Helwig (instructor at the German School of Watchmaking in Glashutte) designed the first flying Tourbillon. It is cantilevered, that is, it is only secured to the plate on one side so offering an unobstructed view of the mechanism on the other side.

In 1947, the first Tourbillon wristwatch was created by Omega (credits to Edouard Belin who used Lip prototype from 1930), the caliber 30I for use in chronometry competitions where it achieved the best results recorded by a wristwatch at that time.

In 1986, another remarkable advancement in the history of Tourbillon with the first series production of self-winding Tourbillon wristwatches by Audemars Piguet, the caliber 2870.

Tourbillon movements are a coveted, must-have feature of the highest-end watches, considered into the luxury watches, even the mid-market. Tourbillon watches have been produced by the most recognized watchmaker companies such as Girard-Perregaux, Omega, Jaeger-LeCoultre, A. Lange & Sohne's, among other.

INVICTA Subaqua
TOURBILLON
Limited Edition

In this opportunity, we are presenting one of the most fascinating horological complication, the Tourbillon. This timepiece is an Invicta Subaqua Tourbillon, limited edition 015/200, Model 32308. It is a men's mechanical watch caliber TY800, 500m water resistance.

Launched on 2011, the first Invicta mechanical timepiece with a Tourbillon. It is a 52mm round case, all in stainless steel. Two-tone steel and gold bezel. Exhibition case back, screw down crown and flame fusion crystal.

It has a very unique and stunning blue sunburst design metal dial with gold and luminous hour marks and hands. The Tourbillon is located at 6 and the dial is signed with the Invicta name and "Tourbillon Limited Edition" as well.

The band is two-tone steel and gold, all stainless steel material, 210mm length, 31mm band. Original Invicta display box.

This watch is a very good looking, it is in LOVELY condition, keeps great time and runs very well. Of course, we can say this is an unique timepiece that provides a fascinating spectacle for the eyes of its owner.

Over the years, the Tourbillon remained one of the most fascinating horological device for connoisseurs and collectors.

Case Back Signed:
Reserve Collection
TOURBILLON
Limited Edition 015/200
W/R 500MT
CONS. NO. 112803-1870708
Model No. 32308
All Stainless Steel
Flame - Fusion Crystal

Measures (mm):
Case Diameter 52
Case Lug to Lug 58
Case Thickness 18
Lug Width 32
Band Width 31

We prefer to shoot photographs outside when weather is permitting. However, when we shoot indoors, please be aware that we shoot our photographs inside of lightboxes that are lit with 360 LED bulbs. This indeed magnifies any flaws. Usually, they are much less obvious to the naked eye. Having said that, we never photoshop any of our photography, remove blemishes, etc. We adjust light, when necessary, but what you see is what you are getting, and we take pride in that.

The condition is pre-owned.
The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended.
See all the photos, feel free to ask questions if you have any.

It will be carefully packed.

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Thanks for looking!

WA-2179