The tourbillon is one of the most prestigious innovations in watchmaking. However, in recent years, there has been some democratization of this highly sought-after complication, and now many brands offer tourbillon watches in their collections.
In honor of its 100th anniversary in 2024, Delma has created a limited series of 100 pieces, which includes this tiny micromechanical marvel. As the brand is known for its high-performance sports and tool watches, the new Delma 1924 Tourbillon model also features water resistance of 200 meters, shock protection up to 5,000 Gs, and an anti-magnetic movement resistant to fields up to 2,000 gauss.
The Delma 1924 Tourbillon case (ref. 41701.770.6.031), made of matte stainless steel with subtle polished bevels on both sides, measures 41 mm in diameter with a thickness of 14 mm and has a slightly cushion-shaped profile with compact lugs spaced 22 mm apart, expanding to create an overall lug-to-lug distance of 47.5 mm. The dial is protected by a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment, and the watch's back is closed by a screw-down case back. At the 3 o'clock position, between two large rounded guards, is a signed crown that screws into the mid-case to provide the model with a fairly high 200-meter depth rating.
While the overall design of the Delma 1924 Tourbillon is inherently quite utilitarian and offers sufficient water resistance, it is categorically not a diving watch. Around the crystal is a thin fixed bezel made of stainless steel with a round matte finish matching the rest of the case. Still, the Delma 1924 Tourbillon looks like a bulky tool watch, and in terms of wrist feel, it can be compared to Panerai or Tutima. Delma also produces dress watches, although the 1924 Tourbillon model truly represents a blend of the brand's various modern offerings, and while it is technically considered a dress watch on the brand's official website, the 1924 Tourbillon also offers the same durability and sturdy design that define Delma's sports models.
The matte black dial of the Delma 1924 Tourbillon has a grainy texture with crisp white printing and applied luminescent indices. A pair of centrally positioned baton hands indicate the hours and minutes, while the tourbillon with the movement is prominently displayed at the 6 o'clock position under an inverted V-shaped bridge secured by two blued screws. For running seconds indication, a smaller hand with a blue finish is mounted at the top of the minute tourbillon. To maintain the utilitarian style of the watch's design, the central hands and hour indices are coated with Super-LumiNova BGW9 to enhance visibility in low-light conditions.
The Delma 1924 Tourbillon is powered by the Caliber DT100.01 manual-wind movement, which is 100% Swiss-made in collaboration with various manufacturing partners of the brand, including Atokalpa and Olivier Mory of BCP Tourbillons. Operating at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour and boasting an impressive power reserve of approximately 105 hours, the 19-caliber Cal. DT100.01 features a 60-second tourbillon, KIF shock absorbers, and a Glucydur balance wheel with variable inertia, providing shock resistance up to 5,000 Gs and anti-magnetism up to 2,000 gauss. All plates and bridges of the Delma Cal. DT100.01 are treated with ruthenium, have a dark gray coating, and gold text. Although the watch is not a certified chronometer, the manually wound tourbillon movement of Delma is regulated to the same standards of -4/+6 seconds per day.
The Delma 1924 Tourbillon comes with a stainless steel bracelet and a black leather strap. Both options feature integrated quick-release spring bars on the lugs to facilitate strap changes without the use of tools. The bracelet has a fairly traditional rounded three-link design with fully solid components and a treated folding clasp.
The strap is made of black Italian leather with white contrast stitching along the edges and is secured on the underside of the wrist with a large clasp made of matte stainless steel with the Delma logo. Thanks to the geometry of the end links and minimal tapering of the bracelet, the 1924 Tourbillon on the bracelet looks noticeably larger than on the leather strap, although the fairly traditional design of the 22mm lugs means that a virtually endless assortment of third-party options will also be compatible with its case.
Aside from the fact that the tourbillon is one of the most desirable complications in watchmaking, the overall prestige of the tourbillon has historically linked it to exquisite dress watches with prices in the five- and six-figure range. While the slow democratization of the tourbillon has led to a sharp reduction in the cost of watches with this gravitational complication, we now also see the tourbillon playing a role in an incredibly diverse range of models. The Delma 1924 Tourbillon, apart from having a high-tech complication, is otherwise an ultra-robust tool watch, and it promises the same functional strength that you expect from the Swiss brand's sports models - only with the added mechanical intrigue of a signature minute tourbillon.
Considering that the human hand naturally functions as a multi-axis tourbillon, the functional benefits of this famous complication are debatable when it comes to its application in wristwatches. Nevertheless, in watchmaking, few things can rival the dynamic mechanical intrigue of the tourbillon, and the use of this complication still serves as an unmistakable confirmation that the brand takes its watches seriously.
The Delma 1924 Tourbillon ref. 41701.770.6.031 is not the cheapest way to acquire a Swiss movement with such functionality, yet the robust construction of this limited edition of 100 pieces combined with mechanical complexity creates a rather unique and compelling offer for those who want a tourbillon capable of withstanding harsh conditions to be a companion everywhere. More detailed information about the Delma 1924 Tourbillon model can be found on the brand's website.