Baume& Mercier William Baume Flying Tourbillon (William Baume Collection-2009)

The gravity-defying tourbillon is one of the most prestigious horological complications and one of the trickiest to create. The rotation of its carriage compensates for the effects of gravity and thereby serves to increase the precision of the watch. In 1892, the “Frères Baume” company set an absolute precision record at the chronometry competition held in Kew Observatory in England with a tourbillon chronometer, acclaimed as the most accurate watch of its time.

Today, Baume & Mercier revisits this specialty through its most aesthetically pleasing and most technologically accomplished interpretation, the flying tourbillon. Contrary to a classic tourbillon, which is held by two upper and lower bridges, the flying tourbillon is secured exclusively by its arbor, thus affording free views of its spectacular spinning motion.



Another distinctive feature of this new model in the William Baume collection lies in the unusual and extremely elegant 9 o’clock position of its tourbillon escapement. The dial adorned with a “Vieux Panier” decorative decor is also enlivened by a small seconds display at 6 o’clock. The hand-wound mechanism featuring bridges embellished with “Côtes de Genève”, blued steel screws and a circular-grained mainplate can be admired through a broad sapphire crystal window in the case-back. It is endowed with a 52-hour power reserve.




The new edition of the William Baume Tourbillon model is distinguished from the first edition by its black dial and its black hand-stitched alligator strap. The XXL (43 mm) case glows with the radiance of 18K red gold to highlight this exceptional creation. Limited, numbered edition of 10 watches.



Technical details:
Reference: M0A08841
Movement:
-Manual (WB-T 002)
-Diameter: 38.5mm
-Thickness: 4.7mm
-Jewels: 21
-Power reserve: 52 hours
-Frequency: 4 Hz
-Vibration: 28 800 vibrations/hour
-Speed: 1 carriage lap/minute
-Balance and barrel & gear-train bridges decorated with «Côtes de Genève», circular-grained plate, satin-finished golden wheels, snailed barrel & ratchet, blued steel screws.
-Functions:Flying tourbillon at 9 o’clock and small seconds at 6 o’clock

Case:
-Round
-Size: XXL – 43mm
-Thickness: 9.6mm
-Gold weight: 52.5g
-Polished/satin-finished 18 carat red gold case, horns fitted on to the case
Polished/satin-finished 18 carat red gold fluted crown, adorned with a polished Phi symbol .18 carat red gold case back fixed with seven 18 carat red gold screws, large sapphire crystal aperture. Case back engraved with the name of the collection and the limited edition number.

Dial:
-Color: black
-“Vieux Panier” guilloché décor, sun-satin finished minute-track & hour zones, 18 carat red gold tourbillon circle fixed on to the dial
-18 carat red gold riveted appliqué indexes
-18 carat red gold spear-shaped hands
-Double-sided antiglare sapphire crystal.

Strap:Hand-stitched black alligator strap, square scales, tone on tone stitching
Buckle:Polished/satin-finished 18 carat red gold pin buckle engraved with the Phi symbol
Gold weight: 5.5g
Water-resistance:30m
Total gold weight:58g
Limited and numbered edition of 10 pieces