Ulysse Nardin Anchor Tourbillon: This watch is hiding a powerful secret

Ulysse Nardin is no stranger to unusual watchmaking technology. Its well-known Freak line combines an innovative new gear train with an out-there design, where you can see much of the movement on the watch's face. But not every Ulysse Nardin timepiece wears everything on its sleeve.

The new Ulysse Anchor Tourbillon looks traditional enough from a distance, but that escapement down at 6 o'clock is anything but plain. The watch starts with a basic 44-millimetre rose or white gold case that has gently curved lugs and a slim bezel.

Long, antique-style blued steel hands move across a grand feu enamel dial. The result is a smooth, slightly glossy finish that perfectly offsets the curly black numerals. Where things get really interesting though, is in that large aperture at 6 o'clock. The one-minute tourbillon houses the proprietary Ulysse Anchor Escapement, which is what's called a constant force escapement.

In most watches, as the power winds down, the force delivered to the escapement flags, and as a result accuracy suffers. A constant force escapement does exactly what it sounds like: It delivers consistent rates of power for all seven days of the power reserve.

Add the fact that all the components are silicium (resistant to damage and friction), and you have one very accurate timekeeping system packed into a few millimetres.

The Anchor Tourbillion is priced at $84,400 (Rs 53 lakh) in rose gold and $93,600 (Rs 58 lakh) in white gold. Only 18 numbered pieces will be made in each metal, and they'll go on sale later this year.