The Architecture of Longevity:

An Inverted Direct Impulse Escapement Flying Tourbillon

By Daniel Spitz

Simple mechanics engineered to endure indefinitely are among the hardest achievements in horology. Drawing on a philosophy of longevity—honed through decades at the bench restoring the finest vintage timepieces ever created—I set out to build my next caliber. This watch is a completely unique development, designed from a clean sheet of paper and not based on any prior existing movement.

Horological Innovations & Tributes:

The heart of this caliber represents both an advancement in micro-engineering and an homage to the masters who came before me:

The Escapement:

I have paid tribute to Louis Richard by utilizing the open-source spempt (“Échappement Partagé”) project while re-inventing his historic chronometer direct impulse escapement for the wristwatch tourbillon. This specialized escapement operates completely oil-free and draw-free, eliminating the primary causes of friction, drag, and lubricant degradation over time. Furthermore, because the majority of the components—including the shock spring—are crafted from titanium, it is highly probable that these parts will experience no wear for centuries, if ever.

The Tourbillon Carriage:

Inverting and offsetting the carriage pays direct homage to Vincent Calabrese, the legendary creator of the first flying tourbillon for the wristwatch.

The Kinetic Centerpiece:

To create a visually arresting experience, the balance wheel is flipped upside down, and an extra-large titanium direct impulse roller is positioned at the very top of the architecture. This allows you to view the escapement in full, uninterrupted motion as the absolute centerpiece of the dial.

Titanium Construction:

To minimize mass and optimize energy transmission, the majority of the flying tourbillon and the direct impulse escapement components are crafted from titanium. This includes a blued titanium flying tourbillon cage featuring an integrated seconds hand, and a solid titanium escape wheel engineered to never wear out.

Micro-Ball Bearings:

The entire offset flying tourbillon assembly rotates smoothly atop the smallest ball bearing in the world.

The Keyless Works:

The openwork winding and time-setting mechanism is loosely inspired by my favorite 1930s Patek Philippe architecture, but expanded much further. It is highly optimized, requiring only three parts to operate, and is fully visible so you can watch exactly how the mechanism engages.

Materials, Aesthetics & Hand-Finishing:

The movement decoration and dial aesthetics honor early French chronometry,

favoring a subdued, timeless aesthetic over ostentatious flash.

Daniel Spitz • Founder • Master Watchmaker

Rooted in an unwavering devotion to haute horlogerie, Daniel Spitz approaches watchmaking through the lens of permanence. Guided by time-honored, vintage watch building practices learned at the bench and a life dedicated to mastering the most demanding complications, he shapes his artistic creations around a singular philosophy: to create mechanical instruments destined to outlive many generations with each and every part to be repairable by any traditionally trained Watchmaker into the future.

Working in true independence, he crafts each timepiece by hand, adhering to traditional methods refined over centuries—manual machining, hand-finishing, traditional pocket watch type construction, and mechanically serviceable architecture. Every component is conceived not for fleeting innovation, but for enduring integrity. Time-proven manufacture and assembly principles that can only be learned through countless years restoring vintage time pieces are chosen with one purpose: to ensure that each creation may be maintained, restored, and admired for generations to come.

His work is defined by a restrained yet profound mechanical sophistication—where invention serves longevity, and architecture respects the discipline of traditional horology along with cutting edge technology. These are not merely watches, but heirloom chronometers, built according to the enduring codes of vintage watchmaking when timepieces were constructed to be repaired rather than replaced.

The single-impulse chronometer with pivoted detent escapement embodies this philosophy, as it needs no lubrication to function. A tribute to marine chronometer traditions and precision timekeeping of the past, it stands as a mechanical manifesto of durability, serviceability, and lasting performance.

Through passion, rare technical mastery, and an uncompromising commitment to traditional art, Daniel Spitz secures his place among the world’s most revered independent master watchmakers—creating mechanical legacies designed not merely for today, but for centuries ahead.

In the Atelier of Dan Spitz, the “Golden Era” of horology never ended. The workshop is a sanctuary for meticulously restored, rare vintage machinery—mechanical masterpieces salvaged from a time when watchmaking reached its zenith.

These manual, high-precision tools grant him total independence, allowing every component of a high-end timepiece to be manufactured entirely on-site. By eschewing modern mass production in favor of hand-operated machines and forgotten methods, Dan builds caliber components the way masters did centuries ago—engineered to endure for centuries to come.

As a 3rd generation Master Watchmaker of Complications, 3 time Grammy nominated musician, and the first heavy metal artist to have his song playing on a second planet (Mars) with NASA aboard the curiosity rover, Daniel Spitz carries forward a bloodline of mechanical precision, creativity and sheer determination. With over 40 years at the bench, he operates as an artist whose career has defined the peak of modern horology.

Having headed the high-complication workshops for elite Swiss maisons—including Chopard, Franck Muller, Leviev, and De Grisogono—Dan’s expertise is woven into the very fabric of the industry. He has served as a micro-mechanical longevity consultant, a big brand “ghost builder,” and the master instructor responsible for creating the courses that train the next generation of Swiss watchmakers.

He is also a timepiece restoration expert for private collectors and famous auction houses.