There are few watch manufacturers that have enjoyed a heritage spanning more than two centuries, and even fewer that can genuinely lay claim to a revolutionary watchmaking innovation. Perrelet, whose founder Abraham-Louis Perrelet conceived the first automatic winding watch in 1777 can not only do both, but also continued to innovate. With grand complications in the 19th century, the unique Perrelet Double Rotor in the 20th Century,the Turbine Technology in 2009 and a series of in-house movements, including the COSC-certified calibre P-331-MH which launched in 2019.

All modern Perrelet watches are powered by automatic movements that have been crafted, decorated, adjusted and assembled inside our Manufacture Soprod. But it is undoubtedly the patented double-rotor that has brought Perrelet to the attention of watch fans today.

The Double Rotor technology was patented by Perrelet in 1995. This component is functional to the automatic movement that draws its energy from two rotors. The Turbine, a component designed to rotate with high energy on the dial side and requiring great precision during its assembly, looks like a double rotor. Patented in 2009 , the Turbine, which looks like a propeller, is not connected to the barrel because it would slow down its rotation speed. It has only a purely aesthetic function that allows for eye-catching optical effects and gives the watch a unique identity.

In the years that have passed since the first Turbine concept, Perrelet have sealed their reputation as a manufacturer of haute horology, and expanded their collection to more than 100 timepieces. As this is an introduction, rather than a coffee table tome, today we’re going to look at a handful of the Perrelets that we’d like to own:

Perrelet Turbine Full Lum

There are 51 Perrelet Turbines in the current collection, from the €4180 Turbine Evo, all the way through to the range-topping €89,880 Turbine Tourbillon, but our pick is the Limited Edition Perrelet Turbine Full Lum. A 44mm PVD-coated stainless steel version of the iconic Turbine design, heavily decorated with the very best Swiss Super-Luminova. Limited to just 50 pieces, the Turbine Full Lum is powered by the COSC certified P-331 automatic movement, has sapphire crystals front and back, and comes fitted with a black rubber strap. An exciting watch for those that want to stand out long after the lights have gone down.

Perrelet Weekend GMT Blue

The Weekend Collection provides an affordable entry to the world of luxury timepieces, with the option of a 3-hander, an open heart, and a GMT all powered by in-house automatic movements. We went for the range-topping Weekend GMT with blue dial – which in its 39mm stainless steel case, with 7-link stainless steel bracelet comes in at an incredibly competitive €1,880. An elegant timepiece that slips easily under a cuff, and can keep track of the time at home, and away.

First Class Double-Rotor Skeleton

Tracing its lineage back to the first double-rotor watches of the 90s, the Perrelet First Class Double-Rotor Skeleton is an openworked 42.5mm stainless steel dress watch with a difference – it’s got two rotors! Available with blue, black, or silver dial, the 10.7mm thick First Class Double-Rotor Skeleton is powered by Perrelet’s P-481 in-house automatic and boasts a 42-hour power reserve.

To learn more about Perrelet and explore the full collection, visit Montredo.