Francois Rotier produces high quality mechanical Tourbillon watches. The tourbillon is invented to counter the effects of gravity and other forces that affect the accuracy of clocks and watches. The tourbillon technique allows many watches to attain chronometer-like accuracy. The tourbillon was invented in 1795 by Abraham-Louis Breguet (patent for the tourbillon escapement in 1801).
A tourbillon is a high complication and remains one of the most difficult and complex movements to master. For this reason only a limited number of tourbillon watches have been produced! Since the arrival of the quartz technique the tourbillon has no longer been necessary for a very high accuracy but among collectors the technique is particularly appreciated. Because of the beauty of the tourbillon technique it is frequently made visible by means of an opening in the dial.
Tourbillon watches still represent the essence of fine watchmaking...