Astronef Double Tourbillon Watch

Astronef Double Tourbillon Watch

Astronef Double Tourbillon Watch is a groundbreaking mechanical timepiece that exemplifies the pinnacle of haute horlogerie innovation and artistic excellence. This exceptional timepiece, designed by Jean-Marie Schaller, showcases a revolutionary double tourbillon mechanism that required more than three years of intensive research and development to achieve. The watch's most distinctive feature is its pair of satellite tourbillons that rotate in opposite directions at high speed, crossing paths 18 times per hour, creating a mesmerizing kinetic display that combines technical mastery with artistic expression. The sophisticated mechanism comprises six distinct moving elements: two satellite tourbillons rotating around the dial, along with their respective cages and counterweights. Each tourbillon cage, weighing a mere 0.25 grams, is precisely balanced with an 18K gold counterweight of 0.4 grams to ensure optimal performance. The watch's architectural design features a complex dial construction with a 0.6mm thick plate, partially hollowed to 0.2mm to create depth and enhance legibility. The case construction demonstrates exceptional technical innovation, incorporating a sapphire container mounted on an 18K gold frame, openworked lugs and case middle, and a sapphire dome with an applied inner bezel ring. This masterpiece of contemporary watchmaking, which won the prestigious Golden A' Design Award in the Jewelry Design category, represents a perfect synthesis of traditional craftsmanship and forward-thinking design, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in mechanical watchmaking while maintaining an unwavering commitment to excellence in both technical innovation and aesthetic refinement.

luxury timepiece, double tourbillon mechanism, haute horlogerie, mechanical innovation, contemporary watchmaking, precision engineering

— Adam Dawson