The frame of a traditional Tourbillon, which houses the suspended unit that regulates a watch (namely the balance and the spring, as well as the escapement) turns between the base of the movement, the bottom-plate and the upper bridge, which all hold this frame on its axis. It is this rotation that, by varying the positions of the regulating unit, compensate for the effects of the earth's gravitational pull.
The Flying Tourbillon is more complex because it does not have an upper bridge. This absence enhances the aesthetics of the watch so the frame appears to be revolving weightlessly. However, without the upper bridge, the Flying Tourbillon still has to be able to resist impact just as well as a traditional Tourbillon.
Consequently, the construction of the frame composed of a three-dimensional assembly of fine elements, becomes a marvel of micromechanics.
Technical data
«Camelia Flying Tourbillon» Calibre
Movement exclusively developed for Chanel by Renaud et Papi (APRP SA)
Manual winding mechanical movement
40-hour power reserve
Number of parts: 225
Components chamfered, stretched and circular grained
Number of rubies: 18
Flying Tourbillon: 73 components – carriage weight: 0.432 g
Frequency: 21'600 vibrations/ hour (3 Hz)
Motor unit: 1 fixed clamp barrel
Spring torque: 720 g.mm.
Custom designed oblong bottom plate
Shockproof system on the balance
Balance with variable inertia moment
«Première Flying Tourbillon» watch in 18K white gold set with 182 blue sapphires for a total weight of 12.99 carats.
Limited edition of 5 pieces.
18K white gold bezel set with 112 baguette-cut blue sapphires (~ 7.34 carats)
18K white gold case (28.5 x 37mm) set with 39 baguette-cut blue sapphires (~ 4.11 carats)
Colorless anti reflection treated sapphire crystal
Polished black ceramic dial
18K white gold hands set with 15 brilliant-cut diamonds
Tourbillon cabochon set with 19 brilliant-cut diamonds
18K white gold crown set with 16 baguette-cut blue sapphires and one rose-cut blue sapphire
18K white gold caseback
Black alligator or satin strap
18K white gold double folding buckle set with 14 baguette-cut blue sapphires
Water resistance: 30 meters
« Première Flying Tourbillon » watch in 18K white gold set with 182 pink sapphires for a total weight of 12.99 carats
Limited edition of 5 pieces
18K white gold bezel set with 112 baguette-cut pink sapphires (~7.34 carats)
18K white gold case (28.5 x 37mm) set with 39 baguette-cut pink sapphires (~ 4.11 carats)
Colorless anti reflection treated sapphire crystal
Polished white ceramic dial
18K white gold hands set with 15 brilliant-cut diamonds
Tourbillon cabochon set with 19 brilliant-cut diamonds
18K white gold crown set with 16 baguette-cut pink sapphires and one rose-cut pink sapphire
18K white gold caseback
White alligator or satin strap
18K white gold double folding buckle set with 14 baguette-cut pink sapphires
Water resistance: 30 meters