patented by Breguet on June 26, 1801 tourbillon is a French word that means “whirlwind.” Designed to minimize the difference between positions caused by poise errors, a tourbillon is a rotating (mobile carriage) cage that houses a timepiece’s regulating assortment (balance wheel, balance spring, pallet fork, escape wheel). By rotating the entire regulating assortment, the tourbillon cage eliminates or reduces rate errors due to the earth’s gravitational forces, increasing timekeeping precision. Most tourbillons rotate one complete time every 60 seconds. However, some can rotate at different intervals. Based on Breguet’s original single axis tourbillons, there are also more complex double tourbillons, double-axis tourbillons, triple axis tourbillons, flying tourbillons, and even quadruple tourbillons. The complex mechanism is amongst the most difficult components for watchmakers to manufacture and service and typically comes with a lofty price tag.