XP1 Tourbillon Delivers Stealth-Like Design And Forged Carbon At Entry-Level Prices

Table of contents:

Blending Asian components, stealth-like aesthetics, tonneau case shape, and forged carbon, introducing our review of the XP1 Tourbillon from Blackout Watches

Summary

Established in 2022 by Étienne Rousseaux and Tymothy Plubeau, Blackout Watches mixes Asian components with expert Swiss craftsmanship at value-for-money prices.
Certified by 26 top Swiss luxury watch brands, including Rolex and Patek Philippe, their head horological honcho, David, is responsible for overseeing and assembling their timepieces, including the XP1 Tourbillon.
Based around a manually wound flying tourbillon, housing the PTS 3481D calibre, the combination of avant-garde materials, technical sophistication, and accessible pricing makes the XP1 a compelling choice for enthusiasts.
Built and finished in Geneva, each piece is rigorously tested and refined to ensure premium quality and reliability.
Featuring a stainless steel or grade 5 titanium clasp, akin to Richard Mille, Swiss Super Luminova, 100 metres water resistance and UAC forged carbon, they are available in several declinations from rose gold and red to ultra violet and frozen blue

To be Swiss made or not to be Swiss made. That is the question.

Without addressing the horological elephant in the room…Trump tariffs, despite the silver lining the US has agreed to reduce tariffs to 15%, there are a few innovative companies, bringing something different to the table.

Take Blackout Watches.

With their ethos of importing Asian components, combining them with high-end Swiss craftsmanship, assembled in Geneva and under the watchful eye of a master technician, who has been approved by many of the top luxury brands, it’s no surprise that you might prick up your ears…and wrists.

As The Donald would say, we're going to take you on a journey like no other. There’s never been one quite like it, as we review the XP1 Tourbillon.

Who Are Blackout Watches?

Established in 2006 under the leadership of Fabrice Letellier, the Geneva based brand originally customised high-end Swiss timepieces with matte-black finishes.

A timepiece connoisseur, his background was previously dipped into the motoring sphere, driving for several years at a high European standard. He might not have cut it as Lewis Hamilton in F1, but you get what we mean.

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Did you know, Letellier was in charge of an engine preparation company for more than a decade? In addition, he was responsible for steering matt black cars complete with similarly coloured rims.

He adopted the same design concept to the horological world, taking his automotive inspiration to launch Blackout Concept with a view of developing value pieces, automatic models with instantly recognisable visuals.

In 2022, entrepreneurs Étienne Rousseaux and Tymothy Plubeau took over the horological mantle, delivering sleeker models than Gisele Bündchen at London Fashion Week

Their partnership with former Newcastle United forward Allan Saint-Maximin, when they worked on a limited edition (now sold out) XP1 Allan Saint-Maximin reinforces their brand appeal.

Giving Back To The Community - Blackout Watches Club

This is no Studio 66.

Etienne and Timothy have launched two exciting initiatives to say Merci to those that have supported and championed their noble cause. Unlike the dire 2011 rom-com movie, call it horological friends with benefits!

It doesn’t matter if you have spent a dollar or ten thousand bucks. Some exclusive benefits as part of this membership include;

Access to private WhatsApp group chats with senior members
Invitations to a number of events su,ch as private functions and previous. (private parties, previews, etc.)
Obtaining prior information about new releases and partnerships

There’s also Ambassador status. This level is renewed every year if certain criteria is fulfilled such as;

Regular participation in brand events.
Consistent interactions with senior team members via their private WhatsApp group.
Actively supporting the brand via conversations, social media and shares.

And depending on purchase spend, customers receive anything from 3% - 13% reduction on future orders. They have presence across not just Geneva, but boutiques in Paris and Lyon, where clients can get up close and personal with the product.

Furthermore, like Chrono Hunter’s exclusive network of retailers, every reseller is carefully vetted and who, ultimately, represents the true essence of the brand.

With common values and a sense of timekeeping purpose, everything goes hand in hand with the customer experience and level of care received by their clients.

Personality Of The XP1 Tourbillon

“With the XP1 Tourbillon, we set out to redefine the middle ground between Swiss-made excellence, beautiful but often unattainable, and the more accessible Asian tourbillons that struggle with reliability. Our mission was simple: make the magic of a tourbillon truly reachable, without compromise.”

Etienne Rousseau, Co-Founder of Blackout Watches, talking exclusively to Chrono Hunter

The landscape of affordable tonneau cases has changed…for the better.

Sure, Franck Muller (particularly the Vanguard) and Karl Lagerfeld spring to mind. Especially the latter, who was allegedly spotted in the 70s sporting an Audemars Piguet ref. 15402 with blacked out customisation.

Look, this experimentation with colourways and style may have been around for decades. Yet watchmaking can be cyclical…at times. And it has evolved somewhat with new-wave technology that has transformed these novelties into forged carbon.

And that is precisely what they have produced with the XP1 Tourbillon, for far less than £5,000.

Ok, it may lean on Richard Mille aesthetics if you look at it from afar. But up close, this is a completely different beast, in spite of the modifications.

TI Red declination

At 44mm x 14.8mm, regarding case dimensions, it is 1mm less wide than a Hublot Classic Fusion in titanium and 1.9mm thicker than a 2025 Rolex Daytona 116500LN

LEARN MORE: A Complete History Of The Iconic Rolex Daytona - Chrono Hunter

Now what makes this model tick? Firstly, there is the star of the show in the form of the flying tourbillon. Taking pride of place at the six o’clock position, they have managed to fit and incorporate this into an entry-level price point.

Bravo.

This hybrid model manages to take Asian components, which are unreliable and marry this with expert Swiss assembly and modification.

This is done under the stewardship of the brand’s master watchmaker, David, who has been certified by 20+ luxury brands. He has already tested thousands of Asian tourbillons to avoid any breakdown with a minimal return rate.

“A forged carbon tonneau case, flying tourbillon, and a luminescent structure; three features most collectors rarely, if ever, have in their watchbox. With one purchase, the XP1 Tourbillon lets them tick three bucket-list items at once.

Étienne Rousseaux, Co-Founder of Blackout Watches

The brass dial allows an attractive visual architecture into the modified movement, which, of course, has that stealth appearance with more unusual markings for hours and minutes.

This is depicted by elongated square markers with smaller ones on the 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes.

Roman numerals at 12, 3 and 9 are represented as XII, III and IX, while the XP1 font sits under the flying tourbillon text centrally at 6. Blackout sits under the XII numeral in a central location on the dial.

Minute indices have a certain energetic spirit about a la TAG Heuer, thanks to their slanted appearance, particularly in the 05 and 55 minute markets.

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CARBON is situated just above the IX with FORGED above the III numeral.

There’s 100 metres of water resistance, sapphire glass on the front and back of the case, as well as 72 hours of power reserve. Quite a feat, given there’s a flying tourbillon inside.

Presented on a Sharks Naka vulcanised rubber strap in your accent of choice, this should easily blend into your boardroom attire or something that’s fit for any special occasion.

It shouldn’t be, but it's that darn versatile.

Plus, there are so many choices when it comes to the inner dial ring, with nearly all colours of the rainbow incorporated.

This ranges from a bold ultraviolet to a cobalt blue hue, rose gold, and even red. It allows the wearer to play with their horological personality.

“The XP1 Tourbillon brings together every code of ultra-luxury watchmaking and makes them accessible— the elite complication, sculptural materials, and a striking identity—crafted not to imitate tradition but to push the category forward.”

Never before heard soundbite from Étienne Rousseaux, Co-Founder of Blackout Watches

Note the super bright Swiss Luminova that shines as bright as a diamond…or Colman Domingo strutting down the red carpet with his latest Omega at the Emmys.

The powder from this is combined with forged carbon during the manufacturing process to create an immersive and immense lume experience, which when exposed to UV, is another big tick.

Meanwhile, the detail continues on the crown that’s embossed with the brand logo and is not too overpowering.

Rounding things off is the “quick release” system, making their bracelets simple to remove and flick to a rubber strap, faster than a Zenith El Primero. And without the need for tools.

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Available in a number of different declinations, one of the most striking XP1 Tourbillon executions has to be the Phantom model. In conjunction with Ocarat, a leading French retailer, they opted for a Musou Black dial.

This particular shade is a deep, intense black known for its bold and dramatic presence.

It adds a sleek, modern, and luxurious touch to any design.

The light absorption rate is believed to be 99.905% and was utilised to draw attention to the tourbillon.

A dramatic piece to rival A Midsummer Night's Dream, this staging enhances the mechanism by drawing attention to its focal point as a symbol of poetic licence.

We ain't saying Darth Vader undertones, but it definitely has an almost ghostly radiance to it, pulsing with unseen power.

And, like our guide to the best Halloween watches, the XP1 is a frighteningly good proposition…at this price point.

Official Specs - Blackout Watches XP1 Tourbillon

Case Diameter	44mm
Case Thickness	14.8mm
Strap System	Quick Release
Buckle Style	Pin or folding
Crystal	Sapphire glass
Case Material	UAC forged carbon
Strap	Sharks Naka
Strap Colours	Choice of; White Blue Frozen Blue Grey Orange Red Green Purple
Dial and Inner Ring	Brass
Water Resistance	100 metres / 10 bar / 10ATM / approximately 328 feet
Luminova	Yes, Swiss
Weight	110 grams - 113 grams (depending on version)

3481D PTS Movement

Skipping merrily inside the XP1 Tourbillon beats the 3481D PTS movement.

Comparable to those used by Seagull and other Chinese manufacturers, this hand wound calibre has a rotating cage situated at 6. This is where you will find the escapement, balance wheel, and hairspring.

There is an excellent 72 hours of power reserve and 4Hz frequency, meaning it is both respectable and conducive to greater time-keeping characteristics and enhanced precision.

The openworked architecture allows the wearer to see inside the goings on skeletonised dial and of course, its exhibition case-back, whilst the 5.3mm slimness ensures the tourbillon and cage can be housed perfectly, making a long-lasting visual impression.

Tourbillon at an accessible level is the order of the day here, as many models of this nature normally cost tens of thousands. Take the 43mm Omega de Ville version, costing well over 180,000 Euros!

Movements like the 3481D allow microbrands to offer these types of watches at comparatively lower prices. In this way, it presents a wallet-friendly proposition for those who prioritise design and mechanical spectacle over heritage and maximal resale value.

Look, it’s not on the level of what Atelier Wen has done when teaming up with French Haute Horlogerie company Pequignet for the Ancestra, or with Girard-Perregaux on the $30,000 Inflection.

But you get what you pay for, and pay what you get. Nevertheless, this is an attractive proposition for those looking to buy something more distinctive.

In summary, the 3481D PTS is an interesting choice for affordable tourbillons: it offers classic mechanical sophistication, respectable power reserve, and a transparent structure that highlights its craftsmanship.

Official Movement Specs

Movement Dimensions	33.00 × 29.00mm
Movement Thickness	5.3mm
Functions	Hours, minutes
Accuracy	±25 seconds/day
Vph	28,800 (4Hz)
Power Reserve	72 hours
Number of Jewels	26

Where Can You Buy A Blackout Watches XP1 Tourbillon?

There are a number of different models to choose from in this particular range, which can be purchased via their official website at the time of writing. This is outlined below in this easy to read table;

XP1 Tourbillon Model	Price (GBP)
LT Black	£2,600
LT Centurion	£2,800
TI Rose Gold	£2,600 (Limited Edition, 50 pieces)
LT Blue	£2,600
Red X Lions De Geneve	£2,850 (Limited Edition, 25 pieces, special caseback)
TI	£2,350
TI Red	£2,350
TI Orange	£2,350
LT Ultraviolet	£2,600

Please contact us if you want to buy the XP1 Tourbillon range, or any of their other collections, like the P-ONE, and we will connect you with the owners directly.

What’s Our View?

If you like matte-black, modern, stealthy timepieces that stand out from the traditional luxury crowd, this brand offers a strong visual identity.

There is an intriguing value proposition going on, embedded in their horological mantra.

The ethos of sourcing components from more cost-effective regions, while undertaking finishing/assembly in Switzerland, aims to bring higher perceived value for price.

Meanwhile, the tourbillon line signals the brand isn’t just about style but wants to play in the timekeeping big leagues. Not quite the New York Yankees of timekeeping, but they score a home run on many other fronts.

If you are looking for something off the mainstream with visually bold, modern and different aesthetics from the usual Swiss luxury crowd, the XP1 Tourbillon could be an enticing proposal.

However, with strict testing procedures and rigorous inspections, there is technical and creative ability afoot that allows the opportunity to access this kind of complication to a brand new wave of enthusiasts.

By limiting intermediaries, it gives them the opportunity to deliver wallet-friendly, top quality novelties without the necessity of covering costs, resulting in maximum value.

Conclusion

While the brand obviously lacks the heritage of, say, the Le Brassus beast, Audemars Piguet, or the epic dive history of Blancpain, the combination of Asian components and Swiss finishing delivers good value.

And despite them not carrying the “Swiss made” iconography, or cachet if you will, on the case, compared to other major brands, provenance and resale value may be taken into consideration, if that is one.

But forget quiet luxury for a second…

The XP1 Tourbillon is bold, yet finished by the Swiss-based brand, providing accessible luxury with a strong black framework that’s nonetheless legible and versatile.

And remember, while Asian tourbillons have more problems than Donald Trump’s change of tact, there’s nothing “fake” about their assembler who tests everything meticulously.

After all, everything is assembled in Switzerland and subjected to the highest Swiss standards

If you do want a break from the norm, now might be the time…

Looking for a mean and moody timepiece to add to your collection? Want to sell a Rolex to level up your wrist game? Then you should get in touch with Chrono Hunter.

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Images:

Unless otherwise stated - Blackout Watches

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