Tourbillon Orbital

That honor fell to the Tourbillon Orbital, the first of JEAN DUNAND timepiece and an achievement never before seen in watchmaking. It features a one-minute flying tourbillon that orbits the dial once every hour, on a revolving movement. The watch also introduces a novel power-reserve indicator in the case-band, provides a full view of the movement and displays the phases of the moon on the case-back.So extraordinary is this movement that it is patent-protected._Reinstating the tourbillon as a precision device_ With every ambitious watchmaker jumping on the tourbillon “bandwagon”,it is not surprising that some enthusiasts are voicing a backlash.Strange though this may seem, the sheer profusion of lesser tourbillons has rendered the complication almost “common”. Thierry Oulevay and Christophe Claret, however have too much respect for the concept to allow it to be devalued.To this end, they have created the IO200 movement, named after Jupiter'smoon. Invented and constructed by Claret, it defies the opinionof his fellow watchmakers who insisted that an orbiting tourbillonwas impossible to realize. It is a gauntlet thrown before the most experienced houses. Furthermore, it returns the tourbillon to its original role as the pre-eminent precision complication. Timing tests prove that the combined rotation of the tourbillon and the movement significantly improves the rate stability of the watch._Wheels within wheels_Positioned opposite each other, sandwiched between two plates held apart by pillars and rotating on ball bearings, the barrel and the flying tourbillon orbit the center. The revolving top plate is open to reveal the tourbillon. The tourbillon has been raised as much as possible to make it more clearly visible.Unwinding against a central fixed pinion, the barrel drives itself and the tourbillon, while the tourbillon escapement regulates the speed of rotation. As it orbits, the tourbillon cage rotates once a minute against a fixed circumference wheel, connected through a gear train. This elegant configuration reduces the number of jewel bearings to 14, substantially lowering friction._How to wind and set a rotating movement_Christophe Claret devoted two years to solving the mechanical challenge of winding and setting a rotating movement with a mainspring barrel that never stays in one place. The conventional crown through the case-band was obviously impossible.Winding and setting the movement vertically through its central axis is a new solution in watchmaking. A folding key set into the case-back replaces the crown. Lifting the D-ring of the key engages a central wheel on ball bearings that turns the ratchet-wheel to wind the barrel- spring. Pulling out the key engages the hours- and minutes-hands in order to set them in any direction. Positioned against the fixed chapter-ring, the minutes-hand turns with the rotating dial._Windows to the heart of the movement_Inescapably, the winding key and the moon-phase display on the back of the watch prevent a conventional view of the rotating movement through a sapphire-crystal case-back.Conveniently, though, the absence of the usual crown at 3 o'clock allowed JEAN DUNAND's case-makers to provide a fascinating lateral view of the revolving mechanisms by cutting two windows in the case-band._A power-reserve indicator never seen before_These side windows opened the opportunity for another first in watchmaking – an entirely original way of indicating the power reserve. The window at 3 o'clock displays a vertical needle that moves between F (full) and E (empty). Precisely in the manner of fuel gauges in vintage cars. The secret of indicating the power-reserve in one place from a constantly moving barrel is patented._WHAT'S NEW FOR 2008?_JEAN DUNAND Pièces Uniques has announced a series of sublimely attractive new dials in rare gemstones and fossils for the 2008 edition of its patented Turbillon Orbital super watch.The dial materials include ruby heart, Burma jade, pietersite, fossilized coral, calcedony and sapphire. Not only are the selected stones rare in and of themselves, but they also have to be large enough to be transformed into 3cm-diameter dials. The company is also unveiling stunning new dials in its trademark Art Deco style – the result of more than two years of research and development.Every JEAN DUNAND watch is a work of art, made to order for the connoisseur. No two are alike, nor will there ever be two alike. The new dials provide owners with the opportunity to enhance a JEAN DUNAND watch with a characteristic shared by no other: a perennial occasion to enjoy nature's unique works of art… on one's wrist._SPECIFICATIONS OF THE TOURBILLON ORBITAL_ _MOVEMENT_
Calibre IO200, manually wound rotating movement with off-center flying tourbillon,
exclusive watchmaking ball-bearing system with triple rotation within one single block,
moon-phase display in the back and power-reserve indicator on the side.
Vertical winding and setting through the center of the movement from the back.
_DIMENSIONS_
33mm x 10.4mm (14 1/2 lignes).
_BEARINGS_
4 ball-bearing races, 14 jewel bearings.
_NO. OF PARTS_
215
_TOURBILLON_
One-minute flying tourbillon (one-hour movement rotation),
balance with adjusting screws on a flat spring,
balance frequency of 21'600 a/h, central ball-bearing system.
_BASE CALIBRE_
Double ball-bearing with slow rotation,
thermostatic, one rigid plate and two mobile plates,
mainspring barrel and going train rotate around the central ball-bearing system,
limited radial balance.
Alignment mainspring barrel – center – flying tourbillon.
_INDICATIONS_
Hours and minutes, seconds on the tourbillon,
power reserve, moon phases.
_POWER RESERVE_
Approximately 110 hours,
indicator located in the caseband (linear reading system with gauge).
_MOON PHASE_
Located in the caseback at 9 o'clock,
precision of 29,5 days, lacquered golden disc.
_RAPID PUSH BUTTON_
Located in the caseback at 6 o'clock,
manual push-piece to set the moon.
_WINDING SYSTEM_
Located vertically in the caseback at 3 o'clock,
two position winder (folding key).
_CASE_
In 18k rose gold, white gold or platinum with matching buckle.
Two windows in the caseband.
Fir-tree engine-turned back.
_DIMENSIONS_
45mm x 15.30mm.
_GLASS_
Non-reflecting domed sapphire crystal.
Two domed sapphire crystals in the caseband,
one domed sapphire crystal in the caseback.
_WATER RESISTANCE_
3 ATM (30 metres).
_DIAL_
In 18k gold.
_HANDS_
In 18k gold,
“Skyscraper” style.Press release