Whirlwind Romance: Tourbillon Watches For Her This Valentine’s Day

While the efficacy of a tourbillon on timekeeping is contested, it doesn’t take away from the complexity and inherent beauty of the whirling mechanism. After all, it’s not the practicality of mechanical watches that captures our attention anymore—there are countless devices that can tell us the time—but rather the romance, whimsy, and audacity of it all. So what better way to revel in that romance by having an “open heart” with a tourbillon watch? For an ultra-special gift this Valentine’s Day, here are three top tourbillon watches for her that marry complex mechanical expertise with sumptuous designs.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous Tourbillon

With an Art Deco-inspired case and Art Nouveau flair for the dial, the Rendez-Vous has been Jaeger-LeCoultre’s flagship women’s watch collection since 2012. Over the last eight years, the collection has welcomed a slew of versions from simpler time and date timepieces in steel to lavish gem-set creations to high complication masterpieces. And at the top of the lineup are the automatic Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous Tourbillon watches, with 39mm cases in white or rose gold and always benefitting from a generous dash of diamonds. The dials of the watches retain the signature large stylized numerals, yet the star of the show is the tourbillon escapement hypnotically oscillating away, framed by a sparkling diamond border.

Bulgari Serpenti Seduttori Tourbillon

The watchmaking department at Bulgari has been on a mission to break records over the last few years, focusing on developing the thinnest movements possible. This year, the brand continues on its groundbreaking path with the introduction of the smallest tourbillon movement in the market, the hand-wound Caliber BVL150, housed in the new Bulgari Serpenti Seduttori Tourbillon. The Serpenti Seduttori collection is one of Bulgari’s newest women’s watch models, which takes a sleeker, modern approach to the famous Serpenti watch. Measuring 34mm wide, the snake-head shaped case is available in white gold or rose gold—both paved with diamonds but with the option of a bracelet or leather strap—and displays the tiny tourbillon at 6 o’clock on the dial.

Chanel Premiere Openwork Flying Tourbillon 

Whether quilted leather or tweed fabric, large pearls or gold chains, interlocking Cs or a stark black and white palette, the house of Chanel has long relied on a core set of signature design details, some which date back to the days of Coco herself. Chanel takes the same approach to designing its watches, turning to trusted silhouettes, textures, and motifs that have previously served the Maison well. The Chanel Premiere Openwork Flying Tourbillon watch for example, not only has a case shape inspired by the stopper of the famed Chanel N°5 perfume bottle but also a flying tourbillon (a movement exclusively designed by none other than Renaud et Papi) fashioned after Coco’s favorite flower, the camellia. Naturally, the watches are available in Coco’s preferred shades too: black, white, and beige gold.