Breguet Classique Mother of Pearl Dial 18kt White Gold Diamond Black Leather Ladies Watch 8068BB52964DD00

In the list of very respectable candidates in the tourbillon category of the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix this year there are a few models that stand out from the crowd because of their quality. And there is a lot at stake here, since this is one of the most noble of all complications. It has even become a world in itself. The tourbillon is found with other indications and functions, but above all with a great diversity of styles. It has become the showcase for the expertise of a number of brands who are devoting all their attention to the tourbillon. Their investment takes the form of mechanical innovations or unparalleled quality of finishing. And in the best examples, it's a mixture of the two. 

For example, the Blancpain Villeret 12-Day One Minute Flying Tourbillon opted for an extension of the power reserve. With 288 hours of autonomy, it runs for longer while still remaining true to the Blancpain codes, using only a flying tourbillon. Staying with the theme of lightness, the Bovet Recital 16 has a tourbillon that is suspended beneath the world time like a swing. Its large bridge in the shape of a moustache is one of the cornerstones of the Bovet design. Here it is combined with one of the brand's favourite complications, global time.

Staying with the theme of lightness, the Bovet Recital 16 has a tourbillon that is suspended beneath the world time like a swing. Its large bridge in the shape of a moustache is one of the cornerstones of the Bovet design. Here it is combined with one of the brand's favourite complications, global time.

The Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Automatique 5377 embodies the entire identity of Breguet all on its own. With a highly classical design that remains faithful to the brand's personality, it incorporates an ultra-thin movement that is wound by an oscillating mass that revolves around the calibre. Not above and not within but around - a great all-round performance. 

In the same ultra-thin style, the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon has quite simply broken the record for absolute thinness in its category. With a thickness of 5mm in total and only 1.95mm for the movement, it has a case with a design that is both sophisticated and harmonious.

The tourbillon is also the kingdom of extremes. For example, the Harry Winston Histoire de Tourbillon 5 boasts a three-dimensional architecture. Crowned by a dome underneath which a tri-axial tourbillon rotates, the different levels are superimposed, each with a specific function and a desire to be expressive. 

The Hysek IO 49mm Skeleton Tourbillon makes you dizzy: it is mainly composed of emptiness. Its skeletonised, pared-down movement in a huge case takes transparency to new extremes.

The TAG Heuer Carrera Tourbillon MikroPendulumS, on the other hand, quite simply breaks with all horological convention. At its heart, its regulating organ does not consist of a sprung balance that oscillates to beat out the time. This function is instead handed over to two systems of magnets. The first measures the time at a frequency of 12 Hz (the highest frequency found in a mechanical watch). The second measures elapsed times at a frequency of 100 Hz (a classic for TAG Heuer). And both of these devices are incorporated into tourbillons. 

What will the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix jury decide? Will it be won over by the classic or the modern ? By the quality of finish or by innovation? The tourbillon category is probably the most open of them all. May the best - or perhaps the craziest - one win.

In the list of very respectable candidates in the tourbillon category of the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix this year there are a few models that stand out from the crowd because of their quality. And there is a lot at stake here, since this is one of the most noble of all complications. It has even become a world in itself. The tourbillon is found with other indications and functions, but above all with a great diversity of styles. It has become the showcase for the expertise of a number of brands who are devoting all their attention to the tourbillon. Their investment takes the form of mechanical innovations or unparalleled quality of finishing. And in the best examples, it's a mixture of the two. 

For example, the Blancpain Villeret 12-Day One Minute Flying Tourbillon opted for an extension of the power reserve. With 288 hours of autonomy, it runs for longer while still remaining true to the Blancpain codes, using only a flying tourbillon. Staying with the theme of lightness, the Bovet Recital 16 has a tourbillon that is suspended beneath the world time like a swing. Its large bridge in the shape of a moustache is one of the cornerstones of the Bovet design. Here it is combined with one of the brand's favourite complications, global time.

Staying with the theme of lightness, the Bovet Recital 16 has a tourbillon that is suspended beneath the world time like a swing. Its large bridge in the shape of a moustache is one of the cornerstones of the Bovet design. Here it is combined with one of the brand's favourite complications, global time.

The Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Automatique 5377 embodies the entire identity of Breguet all on its own. With a highly classical design that remains faithful to the brand's personality, it incorporates an ultra-thin movement that is wound by an oscillating mass that revolves around the calibre. Not above and not within but around - a great all-round performance. 

In the same ultra-thin style, the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon has quite simply broken the record for absolute thinness in its category. With a thickness of 5mm in total and only 1.95mm for the movement, it has a case with a design that is both sophisticated and harmonious.

The tourbillon is also the kingdom of extremes. For example, the Harry Winston Histoire de Tourbillon 5 boasts a three-dimensional architecture. Crowned by a dome underneath which a tri-axial tourbillon rotates, the different levels are superimposed, each with a specific function and a desire to be expressive. 

The Hysek IO 49mm Skeleton Tourbillon makes you dizzy: it is mainly composed of emptiness. Its skeletonised, pared-down movement in a huge case takes transparency to new extremes.

The TAG Heuer Carrera Tourbillon MikroPendulumS, on the other hand, quite simply breaks with all horological convention. At its heart, its regulating organ does not consist of a sprung balance that oscillates to beat out the time. This function is instead handed over to two systems of magnets. The first measures the time at a frequency of 12 Hz (the highest frequency found in a mechanical watch). The second measures elapsed times at a frequency of 100 Hz (a classic for TAG Heuer). And both of these devices are incorporated into tourbillons. 

What will the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix jury decide? Will it be won over by the classic or the modern ? By the quality of finish or by innovation? The tourbillon category is probably the most open of them all. May the best - or perhaps the craziest - one win.