2020 is the 100th anniversary of one of the most sophisticated inventions of haute horlogerie: the design of the Flying Tourbillon by Glashütte master watchmaker Alfred Helwig. In his honour Glashütte Original presents the Alfred Helwig Tourbillon 1920 – Limited Edition, featuring a classic, elegant face. Inspired by historic models built by Helwig and his students at the German Watchmaking School Glashütte, this new interpretation of the “whirlwind” is positioned, like its predecessors, with understated elegance on the reverse of the movement.

The New Glashütte Original Alfred Helwig Tourbillon 1920 Limited Edition
Glashütte Original Alfred Helwig Tourbillon 1920 Limited Edition

Pure elegance and exceptional craftsmanship

The new timepiece from Glashütte Original is an example of pure elegance, technical sophistication and exceptional craftsmanship. This splendid masterpiece is limited to 25 pieces and presented in a rose gold case. The dial is fashioned in solid gold and subsequently silver- plated by friction. A railroad chapter ring and rod index appliques lend the timepiece an elegant, classic appearance. The filigree baton-style hands in rose gold contribute to the understated look of the watch as a whole.

Glashütte Original Alfred Helwig Tourbillon 1920 Limited Edition Watch
Glashütte Original Alfred Helwig Tourbillon 1920 Limited Edition

The eye-catcher is the seconds display, which is positioned at 6 o’clock and bears the inscription ”Tourbillon”. The latter serves as a subtle indication that this timepiece reveals its many sophisticated aspects in the course of time – certainly not at first glance. With this model, in fact, the famous Flying Tourbillon is hidden on the reverse of the movement – in keeping with the historic models of Helwig‘s era.

Glashütte Original Flying Tourbillon
Glashütte Original Flying Tourbillon

Alfred Helwig and the Flying Tourbillon

The Flying Tourbillon was developed in Glashütte in 1920 by one of the most eminent of German watchmakers: Alfred Helwig. In contrast to the classic tourbillion anchored on both sides, Helwig’s elegant construction required only a single anchor on the underside, with the result that it appears to be flying within its cage.

Glashütte Original Calibre 54-01
Glashütte Original Assembly Calibre 54-01

In an open frame, the balance and escapement revolve steadily around their own axis at precisely 360° per minute. In this way, the tourbillon effectively counters the negative influence of gravity on the rate precision.

Alfred Helwig and his Flying Tourbillon invention
Alfred Helwig and his invention

The German Watchmaking School Glashütte – the domain of Alfred Helwig

The German Watchmaking School in Glashütte was founded in 1878. Through its training of a great number of master watchmakers, it achieved considerable influence over the art of German watchmaking as a whole. In 1913, at the age of 27, Alfred Helwig was appointed to a position as technical instructor at the famous training institute. There he dedicated himself – together with his master class students – to the development of particularly accurate timepieces featuring cantilevered tourbillons, which Helwig called "rotary gear watches". From 1920, a series of such watches was developed under his direction and in accordance with his concept.

Glashütte Original Alfred Helwig Tourbillon 1920 Limited Edition Watch Review
Glashütte Original Alfred Helwig Tourbillon 1920 Limited Edition

When tested by the German Naval Observatory in Hamburg, the general testing centre for precision clocks and watches, they achieved excellent results. Alfred Helwig taught at the renowned watchmaking school for 41 years, in the course of which he trained more than 800 apprentice watchmakers. His publications remain important reference works for watchmakers, regulars and watch collectors today.

Glashütte Original Alfred Hewlig Tourbillon 1920 Manual Engraving
Glashütte Original Alfred Hewlig Tourbillon 1920 Manual Engraving

Since 2008 the historic building that once housed the German Watchmaking School Glashütte has been home not only to the German Watch Museum Glashütte, but also to the Historic Workshop of Glashütte Original, whose staff specialise in the restoration and maintenance of valuable timepieces made in Glashütte.

Glashütte Original Alfred Hewlig Tourbillon 1920 Setting of appliques
Glashütte Original Alfred Hewlig Tourbillon 1920 Setting of appliques

Final assembly of the 25 pieces of the new limited edition will be performed by these supremely competent specialists, which means this masterpiece will not only bear the name of Alfred Helwig but will have been produced at the original site of his work as master watchmaker and teacher.

Glashütte Original Alfred Hewlig Tourbillon 1920 Silver plating by friction
Glashütte Original Alfred Hewlig Tourbillon 1920 Silver plating by friction

Sophisticated technology

This timepiece is powered by the finely finished Calibre 54-01 manual winding movement, which features a remarkable running time of 100 hours. The eye-catching element on the reverse of the movement is, of course, the filigree Flying Tourbillon.

Glashütte Original Alfred Helwig Tourbillon 1920 Limited Edition In House Movement
Glashütte Original Alfred Helwig Tourbillon 1920 Limited Edition

Numerous elaborate decorations and finishes such as the sunburst decoration on the spring barrel cover, Glashütte stripes on the three-quarter plate, blued screws and screw-mounted gold chatons, as well as a great number of polished steel parts, contribute to the fascination of this masterpiece of the Glashütte art of watchmaking.

Glashütte Original Manual winding Calibre 54-01
Glashütte Original Manual winding Calibre 54-01

A brown Louisiana alligator leather strap with a pin buckle ensures a secure fit on the wrist.

Glashütte Original Alfred Helwig Tourbillon 1920 Limited Edition Watch Review
Glashütte Original Alfred Helwig Tourbillon 1920 Limited Edition

Glashütte Original Alfred Helwig Tourbillon 1920 Limited Edition

Technical specifications:

·       Reference number: 1-54-01-01-01-01

·       Movement: Manual winding, Calibre 54-01, finely finished

·       Functions: Hour, minute, small second, Flying Tourbillon

·       Power reserve: 100 hours

·       Frequency: 21.600 A/h, equivalent to 3 Hz

·       Case: Rose gold, front and back glass in sapphire crystal, water-resistant up to 3 bars

·       Dimensions: Diameter: 40.0 mm, height: 11.6 mm

·       Dial: Solid gold, silver-plated by friction, with railroad chapter ring and appliques in rose gold

·       Strap: Brown Louisiana alligator leather strap with rose gold pin buckle

The price for the Glashütte Original Alfred Helwig Tourbillon 1920 Limited Edition ref. 1-54-01-01-01-01 is 116,970 Euro and is limited edition to 25 pieces.

For more information please visit Glashütte Original Online.