2009 William Baume Collection

William Baume Flying Tourbillon
The gravity-defying tourbillon is one of the most prestigious horological complications and one of the trickiest
to create. The rotation of its carriage compensates for the effects of gravity and thereby serves to increase
the precision of the watch. In 1892, the “Frères Baume” company set an absolute precision record at the
chronometry competition held in Kew Observatory in England with a tourbillon chronometer, acclaimed as
the most accurate watch of its time. Today, Baume & Mercier revisits this specialty through its most
aesthetically pleasing and most technologically accomplished interpretation, the flying tourbillon. Contrary to
a classic tourbillon, which is held by two upper and lower bridges, the flying tourbillon is secured exclusively
by its arbor, thus affording free views of its spectacular spinning motion. Another distinctive feature of this
new model in the William Baume collection lies in the unusual and extremely elegant 9 o’clock position of its
tourbillon escapement. The dial adorned with a “Vieux Panier” decorative decor is also enlivened by a small
seconds display at 6 o’clock. The hand-wound mechanism featuring bridges embellished with “Côtes de
Genève”, blued steel screws and a circular-grained mainplate can be admired through a broad sapphire
crystal window in the case-back. It is endowed with a 52-hour power reserve. The new edition of the William
Baume Tourbillon model is distinguished from the first edition by its black dial and its black hand-stitched
alligator strap. The XXL (43 mm) case glows with the radiance of 18K red gold to highlight this exceptional
creation. Limited, numbered edition of 10 watches.
Appendix: Further Discoveries: Keyless Chronometer housing a Tourbillon escapement.
Appendix: Further Discoveries: Kew Teddington Royal Observatory, the temple of watchmaking precision
2009 William Baume Collection Press Release ( 8801-8802-8840-8841) Baume & Mercier ®, all rights reserved 2009