It’s 2026, from a chronological perspective the very beginning of a new millennium.  
One already characterised by bubbles:  algorithms, data, AI.....we know this is our future and pray the bubbles won’t go pop.....too soon! 

Thankfully, there are other happier, more serene bubbles. Ones which bring us ongoing joy. As watch fans we know that obsessing over centuries old, ‘obsolete’ technology, getting excited over the latest hand-crafted creations is irrational and ultra-niché. But this is our bubble: a safe place we are happy to occupy, one we can share with friends. 

Into this world we release a new bubble: Autark Tourbillon Bubbles, a product which has been many years in the coming. It was a forgone conclusion that after releasing a micro rotor calibre and a hand-wound tourbillon that we couldn’t resist the temptation to put them together. Back in 2023, the resulting mechanical engine: the K-TMR was the perfect power source for the latest model in our Autark series: Autark Tourbillon was a logical next step in the HORAGE story.  

Combine horological excellence with space-age materials to create an instant, modern classic. A watch which isn’t packed with timekeeping complications: instead, our focus was on delivering a tourbillon and micro rotor combined in one piece. Is the tourbillon a ‘real’ complication – let's not restart this discussion! We know that for us as watchmakers and for many fans it is the most desirable achievement in mechanical watchmaking and an aspiration for many collectors.  

What we never previously told the community until now is that the watch we originally wanted to release back in 2023 is the Autark Tourbillon Bubbles. Turns out however that inverting your engine by 180° is a little bit more of an engineering challenge than we originally thought! Well, you learn by trying things out, making mistakes and then implementing your new knowledge, right? Suffice to say, we learnt a lot during this project.  

Where should we start?  

Firstly, we realised that this piece would take longer. Our focus switched to the Autark Tourbillon in the ‘conventional’ layout. ‘Bubbles’ as it became known within the company would be developed and engineered in parallel but with an undefined, future release date. 

Secondly, when you flip one part over, a significant number of other elements must change too. A micro rotor at the front of the calibre rewinds the mainspring in the other direction! So, the ratchet and complete winding mechanism need to be adapted. In a normal construction the 3 ‘core’ elements of micro rotor, tourbillon and mainspring are distributed over 2 different sides of the bridge plate. Fit them on one side and….well, no surprise they don’t and can’t fit! The diameter of the whole movement must increase. In a normal movement key fastening locations are obscured by the dial: in ‘Bubbles’ they would be visible and therefore also needed to be relocated. 

Don’t forget: one of the secrets of our ability to offer so much horological bang for your precious bucks is the philosophy of using as many standardised components as possible across different models (in some cases we have achieved 80%). Flipping the movement meant throwing this this rule out of the window.

Thirdly: there is a big difference between creating a construction which works perfectly in OnShape, our favourite 3D modelling software and one which is manufacturable using the available machines in our small but well-equipped factory! Our production team had to apply out of the box thinking to physically cut the calibre main-plates and bridges to the required tolerances using CNC cutting tools just 0.5mm thick. This is close to the limit of current reductive manufacturing capabilities. 

Of course, not every part can be manufactured within our own factory. Like every watch brand we also depend on our close relationship with specialist external suppliers. A good example for our ‘Bubbles’ baby is the translucent glass ‘dial’ made in in Lausanne by GB Microfab. This gives an uninterrupted view to the K-TMR 2 calibre, which has additional open worked sections in and around the three ‘bubbles.’ The metal frame surrounding each bubble was a further manufacturing challenge. It is made using the LIGA galvanic growth process, which allows the extremely high precision and high aspect ratio necessary for this part (eagle eyed readers will remember we also use LIGA tech to make certain geartrain parts for our GMT complications). Cutting the 3 bubbles in the nano-coated glass dial is a critical and technically complex task to produce the dial successfully.  

Overall, this project has been, rather epic…you could even call it an Odyssey. 

The fact we managed it in ‘only’ a few years is only because we’d already laid solid foundations by delivering 5 other in-house movements (at this point, we once again shake our heads briefly in disbelief). Turns out the HORAGE apprenticeship is quite a learning curve. 

But if our tech team members ever hear the words ‘can you just’….they will undoubtedly give a sideways look, start involuntarily twitching and then promptly run for the hills and lock themselves deep inside a Swiss mountain bunker. 

How do you like this bold new watch design? Tell us in the comments! 

Want more info on ‘Bubbles’? 

Website: HORAGE Autark Tourbillon Bubbles 

Or check out our YouTube channel here: Autark Tourbillon Bubbles: Unconcerned by Gravity 

Until 31.08.2026 the very special-pre-order price of 17,990 CHF is available, after which the price reverts to 19,990 CHF 

 WebStore: The Official HORAGE store