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.

The Foundations:

The mainplates are crafted from ARCAP—chosen for its superior structural stability and anti-corrosive properties—while the elegant, Breguet-style bridges are made from hardened and tempered steel.

The Dial & Hands:

The watch features a two-tier dial with engraved Breguet-style numerals filled with rich enamel, swept over by classic Breguet-style hands. The inner dial center is hand-finished using traditional grinding techniques.

The Finishing:

  • The mainplates feature hand-frosting achieved by grinding fine precious stones, oils, and carborundum over a flat plate, producing a soft, granular surface that beautifully diffuses light. The collector has the choice of traditional yellow gold or rose gold plating on all mainplates.

  • The steel ratchet wheel and crown wheel are finished with precise hand-snailing.

  • The balance wheel is weighted with solid gold timing weights, contrasted by hand-blued steel screws and springs throughout the movement.

Case & Presentation:

The 39mm case is crafted from polished titanium, offering 3 ATM of water resistance. A custom-made, 3mm-high sapphire crystal enables deep, dramatic side-angle viewing of the flying tourbillon’s architecture. The watch is completed with a hand-sewn alligator strap and a matching custom buckle.

Architectural Integrity & Future Serviceability:

My calibers are consciously designed so that any traditionally trained watchmaker, educated via a classical curriculum, can maintain and service them indefinitely. This open, defensive architecture introduces several permanent solutions to common mechanical failures:

Modular Tourbillon Assembly:

The entire flying tourbillon is built outside the watch as a self-contained module. It can be removed and serviced in one piece, drastically simplifying future maintenance.

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