TAG Heuer has been in a single horse race to develop ultra-precise mechanical chronographs using non-traditional engineering since their Mikrograph and Mikrotimer were revealed early last year. The culmination of this process was seen earlier this year with Mikrogirder 2000, which measured time at the breakneck pace of 1/2,000th of a second, and did so without the use of a balance wheel. But that wasn't all TAG Heuer had up their sleeve this year. There was one more Mikro series fake watch in attendance at Basel, and it saw the addition of not one, but two tourbillons to their 1/100th of a second timer. How can you be sure the fake watch has two tourbillons? It's right in the name, the MicrotourbillonS.
The folks at German based Watch-Insider were able to get some hands on video of the MikrotourbillonS, which illustrates the symphony of motion taking place on the dial when the chronograph is on duty. The dual frequency movement has a barrel for each the fake watch and the chronograph. Each dole out power to their respective functions via tourbillon escapements. This of course means that when you actuate the chronograph you can observe both tourbillons flipping away at very different rates of speed. The one at the bottom making a full rotation every 5 seconds, the one at the top every 60 seconds. The fake watch has a power reserve of 45 hours, which isn't setting any records. However, the chronograph, even while tracking 1/100ths of a second, has a 60 minute reserve. The barrel for each is wound separately depending on which way you're winding the crown. Design is built on a Tantalum (black metal) with rose gold accents and set into a 45mm rose gold case. The 9 o'clock side of the dial is cut away to reveal the tourbillons at work. Check out more pics and video after the break. Head over to Caliber11 for an in-depth look at the MikrotourbillonS. (via Watch-Insider.com)
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