There’s not a lot of central tourbillons around. Strange because what better place to put this grandioso complication than in the middle of the dial? Enter the Haldimann H1 Flying Central Tourbillon created by the inventor of the flying central tourbillon, Beat Haldimann.
Haldimann might be a small company, its legacy is very impressive. The Haldimann watchmaking goes back centuries, to 1642 precisely. It was father and son, Ulrich and Hans Haldimann, who established this tradition. The Haldimann philosophy which consists of twelve aspects that the company has cultivated and these aspects are represented in the brand logo with its twelve phases of the moon. A mechanical wizard and the inventor of the flying central tourbillon, Beat Haldimann is surely the pride of his ancestors.
Made in Thun
Beat Haldimann is a child of the Bernese Oberland and he strongly believes watches are first and foremost pieces of art. Moreover, time is nothing more than a pretext for his concept of watchmaking. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that production never exceeds a handful of pieces a year. The Haldimann H1 Flying Central Tourbillon is one of these rare works. Fitted with three barrels, it has been entirely designed, developed and produced in the Haldimann workshops in Thun. The platinum or gold case is also crafted in-house and hand-finished. This watch’s classic aesthetic, together with its mechanical sobriety, unequivocally convey the brand’s artistic vocation. Were there a competition for the most beautiful flying central tourbillon, few if any could challenge the H1. Very few because the number of (flying) central tourbillons is small. We went on the lookout and found just three comparable watches.
A rare trio of central tourbillons
Have a look a these epic tourbillons: Bulgari Papillon Tourbillon Central, Clément Gaud Central Tourbillon Concept and Omega DeVille Central Tourbillon Co-Axial Chronometer.
Haldimann H1 Flying Central Tourbillon specifications
Movement: Hand-wound, H-Zen.A calibre, 18,000 vib/h, flying central tourbillon, three barrels. • Functions: Hours, minutes, 60-second tourbillon. • Case: 18K yellow, pink or white gold, or 950 platinum. Anti-reflective sapphire crystals, front and back. Water-resistant to 30 metres (3 bar/100 ft). • Dial: Black or rhodium-plated, Roman numerals, central tourbillon. • Bracelet/strap: Hand-stitched alligator, folding clasp or buckle in 18K gold or 950 platinum.
