A tourbillon on a wrist watch makes no sense at all. Except...

[VFA]

Except for its interpretation by Zenith. The Zero G. "Gravity Control" gyroscopic module that ensures horizontal positioning of the regulating organ.

Absolutely genius. I won't comment on its practical use or whether it works in practice or if it improves accuracy. I just love the idea behind it. I am sure it was a challenge for Zenith to accomplish this. Zenith has always been one of the most innovative companies.

The tourbillon made a lot of sense in a pocket watch but not on a wrist watch. The idea of Zero G came to me before I knew it existed. The idea was to keep the balance wheel parallel to the ground at all times no matter the position of the watch (wrist). I thought it would be impossible to make the balance wheel move independently from the rest of the movement. I was amazed when I saw Zenith proved me wrong.

My other idea was to determine a constant angle for the escapement that would minimize the effects of gravity. To determine this constant angle I thought the wearer could wear an accelerometer for a year on his wrist like a watch and at the end of the year the average of the data from the accelerometer would be used to determine the angle of the balance wheel to minimize the effects of gravity. I wonder what that angle would be.

Greubel Forsey has used a similar logic for their 30 degree tourbillons but I would have liked to see more convincing explanations and data from them for their choice of 30 degrees. 30 degrees is however most likely better than the standard 0 degrees tourbillon.

I would have expect Greubel Forsey to come up with a mechanism like Zero G. I would love them to in the future.

I do see one of these in my future:

[Slider817]

Cool concept, although I would imagine multi-axis tourbillons, or multiple tourbillons at different angles would accomplish a similar result with more consistency. All theoretical anyway, as there are many more relevant factors that will determine accuracy other than gravities effect on the balance.

[RTG]

Not a complication I am drawn to. Rotating between watches removes any advantage the tourbillon can offer. I would never wear a tourbillon long enough to notice an increase in consistency or accuracy.

[VFA]

Originally Posted by Slider817

Cool concept, although I would imagine multi-axis tourbillons, or multiple tourbillons at different angles would accomplish a similar result with more consistency. All theoretical anyway, as there are many more relevant factors that will determine accuracy other than gravities effect on the balance.

My post was theoretical only. Gyrotourbillons, double-axis tourbillons and Journes vertical tourbillon are other approaches. Not sure if they make any more sense than the traditional horizontal tourbillon.

In theory I think the most logical approach is the Zero G. In practice hard to tell which one is the best.

[Doc Savage]

I would bet 100% of these watches are purchased for the "coolness" factor, not for actual accuracy.

[Ny325]

That dial is nauseating.

[tom2517]

Well, that's like saying in the age of pretty much everyone having a smartphone, wrist watch doesn't make sense.

Alright jokes aside, that's an interesting looking tourbillon but not a good looking watch in my opinion.

[VFA]

Originally Posted by tom2517

Well, that's like saying in the age of pretty much everyone having a smartphone, wrist watch doesn't make sense.

Alright jokes aside, that's an interesting looking tourbillon but not a good looking watch in my opinion.

Its not a tourbillon per say. It just applies the reasoning of a tourbillon in a pocket watch to a wrist watch.

Its a mechanism to keep the balance wheel always parallel to the ground which in theory would negate the effects of gravity.

I must agree its not a good looking watch. Cant say I like the dial. Probably why I haven't bought it yet but it is a complication unique to this model which I do appreciate.