Prior to the Industrial Revolution, royal patronage was the chief force behind the watch trade's technical and aesthetic innovation, and royal families have ever since been a reliable source of income for the industry..
In recent months, numerous watchmakers have introduced models that directly trace their lineage to timepieces created during the 1950s and early 1960s.
One sign that the industry is confident about the nascent economic recovery is the unabashed pride that many makers are taking in touting their newest tourbillons again.