Sylvain Pinaud Tourbillon Platinum Black Dial

Sylvain Pinaud has the spirit that makes independent watchmaking great. He’s highly skilled, perseveres through the challenges of operating a small workshop, and is simply a great guy to hang out with. We knew soon after meeting Pinaud that we wanted to collaborate with him on a timepiece. We were fortunate enough to celebrate the 5-year anniversary of EsperLuxe with an exclusive collaboration, the Origine Ste-Croix. Now, Pinaud returns with an all-new timepiece: the Tourbillon in platinum with black dial.

The Tourbillon builds upon the refined design language of the Origine while introducing a more assertive mechanical centerpiece. The dial architecture embraces a carefully judged asymmetry, balancing visual tension with legibility. A black dial is centered by a deep onyx disc, paired with rose gold hands that play off the warm tones of the movement beneath. Black-polished steel elements structure the display against the nickel silver and rose gold movement visible below, and the contrast between the dark stone surfaces and warm metal creates a striking visual tension. The result is a composition that feels both classical and contemporary, anchored by disciplined proportions and fluid lines.

At the heart of the watch is a manually wound, fully in-house movement crafted from nickel silver and rose gold, conceived and finished according to traditional principles. Materials are left largely untreated, allowing artisanal hand-finishing to define their character. The fast-spinning, 30-second tourbillon provides a constant sense of motion on the dial, offering a technical focal point without overwhelming the overall harmony. Its titanium cage, engineered for a 20% reduction in weight, strikes an optimal balance between inertia and efficiency, contributing to improved chronometric performance.

A double-barrel system ensures stable energy delivery, enabling a substantial 100-hour power reserve. Precision is further enhanced by a zero-reset seconds mechanism, visible through an aperture within the large seconds display, allowing for exact time-setting.

Finishing is a central pillar of the watch’s identity. Bridges feature sharp, hand-executed anglage, while surfaces alternate between fine graining and satin brushing. Steel components are brought to a flawless black polish, and even hidden elements receive the same meticulous attention. The sculptural barrel bridge on the reverse exemplifies this dedication, showcasing traditional craftsmanship at its highest level.