The Purnell Escape II Absolute Sapphire is a 2021 Watches and Wonders novelty built around two striking ideas: a case and movement structure made largely from sapphire, and Purnell’s hand-wound Double Spherion double triple-axis tourbillon. Its launch specifications pair that transparent construction with a 48 mm case, 32-hour power reserve and three rotating tourbillon cages.
What is the Purnell Escape II Absolute Sapphire?
Purnell unveiled the Escape II Absolute Sapphire in April 2021 at Watches and Wonders. It belongs to the Escape II collection and uses sapphire not just for the visible crystal, but also for the case, dial and three movement bridges. That arrangement leaves much of the movement exposed to view through the watch itself. Purnell’s launch release, republished by Europa Star, described it as part of a full-sapphire Escape II collection.
The result is not simply a conventional watch with a transparent caseback. Sapphire components extend through the case and movement architecture, framing the Double Spherion as the visual centerpiece. The launch release said three raw sapphire blocks were needed; machining and polishing took 150 hours, not including development, machine programming or the growth of the blocks.
How does the Double Spherion tourbillon work?
The watch is powered by the hand-wound CP03 Double Spherion. Purnell describes it as a double triple-axis tourbillon: two tourbillon systems, each moving across three axes. The launch materials report cage rotations of eight, 16 and 30 seconds, with the systems turning in opposite directions through a differential mechanism. WorldTempus’s launch-era coverage also describes the unusual multi-axis mechanism.
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| Tourbillon cage | Reported time per rotation |
|---|---|
| Inner | 8 seconds |
| Secondary | 16 seconds |
| Outer | 30 seconds |
Purnell called the mechanism the world’s fastest triple-axis tourbillon. That wording should be understood as the brand’s claim: the reviewed launch coverage does not provide independent verification of a record. The fast-moving, jeweled cages are part of the watch’s display as well as its mechanical identity.
What are the published specifications?
| Specification | Escape II Absolute Sapphire launch detail |
|---|---|
| Movement | Hand-wound CP03 Double Spherion |
| Functions | Hours, minutes and power-reserve indication |
| Components and jewels | 386 components; 67 jewels |
| Power reserve | 32 hours |
| Frequency | 3 Hz / 21,600 beats per hour |
| Case | 48 mm sapphire monobloc |
| Water resistance | 3 ATM (30 m) |
| Strap and buckle | Natural translucent rubber strap; Grade 5 titanium pin buckle |
These are the figures published in Purnell’s 2021 launch specifications, rather than results from independent testing. A 3 ATM rating is modest; it should not be read as a swimming or diving rating.
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What makes the sapphire construction unusual?
Sapphire gives the Escape II Absolute Sapphire its nearly weightless visual effect, but producing the components is demanding. The brand’s launch release attributes 150 hours to machining and polishing alone and notes that this total excludes development, programming and sapphire block growth. The same release says the case, dial and three bridges are sapphire, making the material integral to both the exterior and movement presentation.
The watch also uses precious stones as functional visual markers. The original launch specification lists 11 blue sapphire baguette hour indexes totaling 1.04 carats, plus 304 brilliant-cut diamonds on the blued titanium cages. A later retailer page lists 12 indexes; for the launch configuration, Purnell’s original specification is the more direct reference.
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How much does the Purnell Escape II Absolute Sapphire cost?
There is no confirmed current official price established by the cited material. In April 2021, Oracle Time reported price and availability as to be confirmed and described the watch as a unique piece. A later product page from specialist jeweler Stephen Silver identifies reference P03ABSP and displays a price of $1,050,000, while asking interested customers to contact the retailer for more information: Stephen Silver’s listing.
The retailer’s displayed figure is not proof of a current manufacturer price or present inventory. The launch-era description of a unique piece and the later retailer’s “limited edition” wording also differ, so the available sources do not establish a definitive edition count.
Quick Recap
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
