The maison reaches a new level of complication and precision with a dual biaxial tourbillon design for its latest timepiece.

As you might able to tell by its name, the new Histoire de Tourbillon 8 by Harry Winston pays homage to the technical prowess of tourbillon timepieces. So much so, in fact, that the two relatively large tourbillion cages on this timepiece essentially take up half of the watch. More on that later.

Each of the two cages on the left hand side of the dial houses a biaxial tourbillon made of 177 components and weighing less than a gram (0.76 to be precise), which is impressive given their relative size. Every 75 seconds the exterior cages complete a rotation on a 30-degree axis, while the interior cages do the same dance every 45 seconds.

The principle behind the tourbillon design is to minimize gravity’s influence on the balance wheel. Without getting too deep into the physics of it all, the use of two biaxial tourbillons, as is the case here, multiplies the dimensions in which they can turn. What that means for us non-physicists is that the watch can attain a superlative level of chronometric precision.

Each of the two tourbillions operates independently, but they are unified via a spherical differential. This complex design allows the system to obtain something like an average from the two tourbillons, which adds to timekeeping precision. I don’t have the mathematical equations to prove this; you’ll just have to take my word for it.

The movement that powers it all is an in house HW4503 caliber. It is made almost entirely out of titanium and can be appreciated through the case back (if, for some reason, you get tired marveling at the tourbillons).

The lightweight caliber has been equipped with two rapidly rotating superposed barrels that allow a run time of 55 hours. One of the barrels is equipped with a slipping spring and there is no sensation of disruption when winding the barrels as a result. This also neutralizes the possibility of breaking one of the springs by applying too much tension when winding.

The rest of the watch’s finishing is on par with the beauty of the movement. At a diameter of 51 mm, the case features alternating polished, mirror and satin finishes. The chamfered dial reveals bevels that encircle the vast space, which is of course dedicated mainly to the tourbillons.

While the dial does boast a high degree of textural variety, telling the time effectively requires a second glance when first confronted with the watch.

On the right hand side are two conical discs, one indicating the hours and the other the minutes. Funnily, the designers found it necessary to label each disc with “hours” and “minutes” designations. Perhaps they thought the wearer, or more likely an onlooker, would need some help in telling the time? I don’t blame them for it, since the tourbillons do steal the show and telling the time is, ironically, almost secondary on this watch.

The Histoire de Tourbillon is available in two colour options, one in pure anthracite and the other in dark gray with strong red accents, and each version is an exclusive 10-piece limited-edition.