Louis Moinet Derrick Tourbillon Features Working Oil Rig: VIDEO

Today we’re taking a close up look at a unique new timepiece, the Louis Moinet “Derrick”. This world first combines two things we thought we’d never see in a watch write-up: a tourbillon and a working oil derrick. (For those who are out of touch with their inner J.R. Ewing, a derrick is a set of machines which help extract petroleum at oil and gas rigs.)

True to its name, the petroleum blue dial of the Derrick Tourbillon features a derrick in constant motion, completing its cycle every 15 seconds. Its rocking lever is made entirely of brushed aluminium. The hand-wound Derrick tourbillon movement works at 21,600 vibrations per hour.

The winding mechanism is visible through the case-back. The “octopus” spring plays three roles by acting as pull-out piece spring, lever spring and click spring. This unique creation is housed within an 18K white gold case with the Louis Moinet crown guard, incorporating the stem in such a way as to enable easy replacement if required (a feature that is pending patent).

The Louis Moinet Derrick Tourbillon is limited to a twelve-piece edition, and retails for CHF 280,000 (approximately US$293,800).

Check it out in action:

Photos courtesy Louis Moinet.