Sophisticated Inner Workings

A complicated piece is one that houses some of watchmaking’s greatest achievements: minute repeaters, perpetual calendars, and more. Tourbillons are among the most coveted complication. These fine features utilize a constantly moving escapement designed to compensate for errors in timekeeping caused by the effects of gravity when the watch is in certain positions.

LEFT: A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Tourbillon “Homage to F.A. Lange” ($171,800): Crafted in Lange’s own 18k honey-colored gold, just 150 of these pieces were made. The 381-part caliber L961.2 manually wound movement has a one-minute tourbillon with patented stop seconds and an outsize date. Liljenquist & Beckstead, Tysons Galleria, 703-448-6731

TOP LEFT: Jacob & Co. Limited Edition Crystal Tourbillon ($900,000): A 47mm 18k white-gold case set with 17.48 carats of baguette diamonds on the case and another 1.60 carats around the dial. The movement is the Jacob & Co. caliber 7 skeleton manual-winding tourbillon.

CENTER: Piaget Polo Tourbillon Relatif ($316,000): This limited edition piece features the patented Piaget 608P mechanical hand-wound flying tourbillon movement. The escapement is suspended from the minute hand and rotates once per minute on its own axis; it completes one rotation around the dial per hour. Finks Jewelers, Tysons Corner Center, McLean, 703-584-3101

FAR RIGHT: Girard-Perregaux Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges ($195,040): Its 18k pink-gold exterior houses the GP9600C automatic caliber with 30 jewels. It offers tourbillon, hour, minute, and small seconds indication on the tourbillon. Limited edition of 50 pieces.