Can Kickstarter Build A Tourbillon? Charles Berret’s KAZE Says Yes

Let's be honest. The word tourbillon usually comes with a warning label for your bank account. For decades, this mesmerising complication has been the preserve of the biggest names in haute horlogerie, often carrying price tags that are as dizzying as the spinning cage itself. But what happens when a young London-based independent decides that perhaps this shouldn't be the case? Enter Charles Berret.

The British microbrand has never been interested in following the traditional playbook. Instead, it has built its identity around one simple idea: take everything collectors love about vintage watchmaking, blend it with modern craftsmanship, and create watches that feel familiar without being copies. Think old-school charm with contemporary confidence. The inspiration comes from one of watchmaking's greatest design icons the Gerald Genta-designed Polerouter. But rather than recreating the famous watch, Charles Berret borrows its clean proportions, elegant simplicity and timeless appeal before giving it an identity entirely of its own.

The journey began in 2024 with the launch of its first collection, DARTH, on Kickstarter. It wasn't alone for long. The Arrow quickly joined the lineup, followed by the eye-catching Asteria, complete with a genuine meteorite dial that proved the young brand wasn't afraid to experiment. More importantly, Kickstarter didn't just fund the watches it created a community. Those early backers became part of the Charles Berret story, offering feedback, ideas and encouragement that shaped everything that followed. Now, the brand is returning to where it all started.

Meet KAZE

The latest creation is called KAZE, the Japanese word for "wind." It's a fitting name because nothing inside this watch ever stands still. At its heart is a constantly rotating tourbillon, beating away at 21,600 vibrations per hour like a tiny mechanical storm trapped beneath sapphire crystal. Charles Berret describes the watch as being inspired by shifting desert sands and the magical glow of the Golden Hour that fleeting moment when everything turns warm, soft and impossibly beautiful. It's a poetic idea, but thankfully, the watch has the hardware to back it up.

The first surprise? It's made entirely from Grade 5 titanium. Not only does titanium make the KAZE incredibly lightweight, but it also means it's tough enough for everyday wear. Measuring a wearable 39.5mm across, the case strikes that sweet spot modern collectors seem to love. Slim too, it measures just 9mm without the crystal and only 12.5mm including the beautifully domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating. Look closely and you'll notice the unusual stepped bezel and sculpted lugs. These aren't random styling exercises. Charles Berret says they're inspired by the carefully balanced Zen stones found outside ancient Japanese temples simple, calming and perfectly proportioned.

Even the details have been thought through. The signed crown carries the CB logo, while the standard 20mm lug width means collectors can have endless fun swapping straps. If straps aren't your thing, there's also an elegant stainless steel mesh bracelet that adds a distinctly vintage flavour.

The Dial That Refuses to Sit Quietly

Then there's the dial. Forget glossy sunburst finishes or colourful fumé gradients. Charles Berret has gone in a completely different direction with a gold Tremblage dial. For those unfamiliar with the term, Tremblage is one of those old-school decorative techniques that requires painstaking texturing to create a shimmering surface. Instead of shouting for attention, it quietly dances with light, changing character depending on how you hold the watch.

The inspiration comes from vintage pocket watches, and it shows. The textured gold surface has warmth, depth and personality, while polished gold hands slice through the grain like rays of sunlight breaking over the horizon. It's elegant without trying too hard. And then your eyes inevitably drift towards six o'clock...where the tourbillon performs its hypnotic dance.

The Star of the Show

Let's face it: everyone loves watching a tourbillon. Originally invented to combat the effects of gravity in pocket watches, today's tourbillon has become something far more emotional than practical. It's mechanical theatre. Tiny gears, springs and a rotating escapement working together in perfect harmony. Charles Berret has designed its own custom high-beat tourbillon movement specifically for the KAZE.

Running at 21,600 beats per hour and fitted with 21 jewels, the movement is remarkably slim less than 6mm thick yet remains the undisputed centrepiece of the watch. Turn it over and the exhibition caseback offers another uninterrupted view of the movement, proving that this is a watch meant to be admired from every angle.

Back Where It All Began

Perhaps the most refreshing part of the KAZE story isn't the movement or the titanium case. It's the fact that Charles Berret has chosen to launch it on Kickstarter once again. Many brands use crowdfunding as a stepping stone before moving on. Charles Berret sees it differently. The company openly credits its original backers for helping transform an ambitious idea into a real watch brand. Every piece of feedback, every suggestion and every conversation has helped refine its watches over the years.

The KAZE Gold Tourbillon is the result of that evolution. The brand calls it its most exciting project yet not because it's the most complicated watch it has made, but because it represents its biggest ambition: making one of watchmaking's most revered complications accessible to a much wider audience.

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