Henri Grandjean and Cie. Presents the Magician, With Mysterious Triple-Axis Tourbillon

Think we’ve seen everything a tourbillon can do? Think again. After decades of silence, an illustrious name returns to the world of watchmaking. Henri Grandjean is back with a brand aimed at reminding enthusiasts that some names never lose their magic. And it comes back with a new twist up his sleeve – a mechanical trick that takes the tourbillon into uncharted territory. Meet the Henri Grandjean Magician, a mesmerising, mysterious triple-axis tourbillon that seems to be floating in mid-air, with no visible connection to the watch mechanism.

Henri Grandjean (1803-1879) was a master Swiss watchmaker from Le Locle, celebrated for his highly precise chronometers and intricate pocket watches. He played a key role in the development of marine chronometry and contributed significantly to the founding of the Neuchâtel Observatory, helping to establish it as a centre of precision timekeeping. His watches are preserved in prestigious collections, including the Musée d’Horlogerie du Locle – Chateau des Monts (with a dedicated Grandjean archive), the MIH or the Patek Philippe Museum. Today, his complicated pieces remain sought after by collectors, with some examples fetching six-figure sums at auction. Known for its complications, chronometers and historic contributions to horology, the name has been revived to continue its legacy, with a brand aiming at combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary excellence. 

Mechanical Sorcery

The first watch of the brand’s comeback is named the Magician after one of its historical models. As its name suggests, it comes with a twist up its sleeve. Its mesmerising triple-axis tourbillon seems to be floating in mid-air, with apparently no connection to the watch mechanism. A magician never reveals his tricks… but we’re going to let you in on a little secret.

The illusion is created by the fact that the tourbillon is set in motion (and in return regulates the movement) through a set of two superimposed transparent discs. One transmits the motion from the gear train while the other incorporates the fixed toothing. This stationary ring gear interacts with a pinion on the rotating tourbillon cage to set it in motion. As the cage rotates, it rolls along the fixed gear, keeping its rotation rate controlled.

Abracadabra, fast axes in motion

With the cage seemingly floating in mid-air, the rotation of the tourbillon is shown so that its intricate motion becomes immediately visible and easy to appreciate. Never before has a tourbillon’s complex movement been presented with such clarity and visual impact.

The triple-axis tourbillon rotates around three separate axes, creating continuous, complex 3D motion. Watching the cages turn at different speeds is fascinating, as every component moves in a precise, intertwined pattern. It is all the more spectacular because its cages rotate at high speed, respectively in 10, 18, and 60 seconds on its different axes. 

Keeping it light

Achieving such rapid rotations for the triple-axis tourbillon is no small feat, requiring remarkable feats of micro-engineering. Moreover, the weight of a 3D tourbillon is critical for its motion, necessitating the use of advanced lightweight materials to ensure smooth and precise operation. A rare example in watchmaking, magnesium is used for the first cage and the balance bridge. Magnesium is strong and lightweight but extremely difficult to work with. The escapement bridge and the second cage are in titanium. Last, the exterior cage is half in titanium and half in steel to be perfectly balanced.

Calibre 1831

The hand-wound calibre 1831 ticking inside the Magician has been developed and is manufactured in-house, in the brand’s manufacture in Noiraigue, in the Val de Travers, near Neuchâtel. Their different CNC machines allow them to manufacture most components in-house (with classic exceptions such as the hairspring, barrel spring or jewels, etc.).

This large 17-line movement is rose gold–plated, with well-executed, traditional decorations featuring Geneva stripes. Its balance wheel ticks at 21,600 vph, and two barrels store about 40 hours of power reserve.

The architecture of the movement naturally gives pride of place to the tourbillon, while the hours and minutes are off-centre at 3 o’clock. The dial is paired with a date indication arranged concentrically within its black onyx ring, and a day–night indication on its outer perimeter between 11 and 12 o’clock. The date is indicated thanks to a white index placed on one of the spokes of the 31-tooth date wheel.

The Henri Grandjean Magician comes in a 45mm x 16mm rose gold case. It is offered in six different iterations, two of which we were able to photograph – one of them is richly decorated and engraved with floral motifs, reminiscent of Fleurisanne – the characteristic floral decoration typical of the Val-de-Travers.

The watch is worn on an alligator leather strap, and it is secured to the wrist by a folding buckle. The watch is priced at CHF 350,000 in titanium, CHF 380,000 in plain gold and CHF 480,000 in engraved gold. 

For more information, please visit www.henri-grandjean.com.