These spectacular tourbillon watches belong to the Haute Horlogerie line-up introduced in the 1990s by PHILIPPE CHARRIOL, the founder of Swiss luxury watch, jewellery and lifestyle accessories brand CHARRIOL.
These high complication mechanical watches house « Le Tourbillon » movement by Philippe Charriol, developed in close collaboration with Renaud & Papi in 1995.
Renaud & Papi is the manufacturer of movements for the most prestigious brands of luxurious fine Swiss watchmaking. The Philippe Charriol tourbillon movement benefits from the very elaborate techniques, reliability and extreme precision.
Its decoration is highly personalised. The top of the Tourbillon bridge is decorated with a coil pattern, the leimotiv of the Celtic concept by Philippe Charriol.
The back of the bottom plate, visible through the transparent back of the watchcase is decorated with a chased and pierced « C » Logo. It shows the moving parts of the center through a blanked « C ».
Having a surface finish « vagues de Geneve » (Geneva waves), it bears engraved marks like Year of manufacturing, individual number, name of the watchmaker responsible for the design, assembly of the movement the Philippe Charriol brand and Swiss Made. The 152 components parts are edged and polished. The manual winding movement offers 48 hours power reserve.
The Celtic « Le Tourbillon » attracts immediate attention through its originality as well as its volume and proportions. Its coiled decor is inspired by the Celtic art, the very creative source of the range of watches and jewellery collection by Philippe Charriol.
In this model, the tourbillon movement beats inside a solid gold case from the Celtic collection, famous for its gold torsade surrounding the case, and its bezel with 8 gaudrons.
The dial is in 18tk solid gold with a handmade guilloche-work and a choice of two decors created by Philippe Charriol: the first suggests the work of the « Tourbillon » with its concentric circles and the second, the form of the mechanism with a « tonneau » stamping.
The hands are made of blue steel, including the small second hands turning over the « Tourbillon » and showing the mechanism through the skeleton-work of the dial.
The Celtic watch « Le Tourbillon » is offered in a small full leather case in the shape of the « tonneau » as a reminiscence of the form of the movement. The watch is issued with a certificate signed personally by Philippe Charriol.
The manufacturing and the control of each single piece can take as much as 6 months and only the production of approximately ten pieces per annum can be assured.
The brand also developed tourbillon watches from its Colvmbvs watch series, inspired by the adventurous spirit of Christopher Columbus.
Featured above is a Philippe Charriol Colvmbvs Tourbillon in a 46mm rose gold case decorated with nautical details. It was created in 2013 as an edition limited to 3 pieces.
Philippe Charriol also created a version of the Colvmbvs Tourbillon watch with a rectangular case.
This model has a white gold case, supported by 4 visible screws, a winding mechanism adorned with a shackle, curved profile, and sapphire caseback open to the Philippe Charriol Tourbillon caliber.
