By this time, it is an established fact that inventor-watchmakers Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey are tourbillon fanatics. Since the pair stunned the horological world with their breathtaking Double Tourbillon 30°, they have continued their relentless drive to create the perfect tourbillon.

Though this Invention Piece 1 may not elicit the same jaw-dropping effect as the Quadruple Tourbillon à Différentiel, it nevertheless represents the culmination of four years of research, and is intended as a tribute to the Double Tourbillon 30°.

Aesthetics is the clear winner here, as the hours and minutes are displayed in a concentric pattern – red indicators for the hours, blue for the minutes – and interestingly occupy only half of the circle. The off-center seconds and power reserve indicator seem to ‘orbit’ around the tourbillon, like planets of a miniature solar system, against the backdrop of frosted nickel silver bridges.

Flip the watch over, and something immediately arrests your attention – words engraved on the gold base plate tells the story of the Invention Piece 1, a personalized message from the inventors to its prospective owner.