Haofa 2268 Universe Series Flying Tourbillon Watch — 3HD6E, 72-Hour Power Reserve

Haofa 2268 Universe Series Flying Tourbillon Watch — 3HD6E, 72-Hour Power Reserve

The Haofa 2268 is the flagship model of Haofa’s Universe Series — a 42mm flying tourbillon watch powered by the proprietary Cal. 3HD6E automatic tourbillon movement. It combines a three-dimensional cosmic skeleton dial with a flying tourbillon complication visible through the dial, double mainspring architecture providing 72 hours of power reserve, and high-definition luminous coating across multiple dial elements for darkness visibility.

Haofa (Haofatourbillon) is a Chinese independent movement and watch manufacturer that has built a reputation specifically in the tourbillon category — their automatic tourbillon movements are designed and assembled in-house, and the 3HD6E is their automatic flying tourbillon caliber. At this price point, a genuine automatic flying tourbillon from a movement manufacturer with factory-direct distribution is a significant value proposition compared to Swiss or Japanese tourbillons at comparable complications.

Key Specifications

The Flying Tourbillon — What It Is and Why It Matters

The tourbillon is a horological complication invented in 1801 to counteract the effect of gravity on a pocket watch’s balance wheel — by continuously rotating the escapement and balance wheel through 360 degrees, the tourbillon averages out the positional errors that would otherwise accumulate. In a modern wristwatch the practical accuracy benefit is minimal compared to what it provided in pocket watches, but the tourbillon remains the most visually compelling mechanical complication in watchmaking.

A flying tourbillon is a specific construction where the tourbillon cage has no upper bridge — it appears to float unsupported on the dial, rotating freely without the structural top frame that standard tourbillons use. The flying tourbillon is both more technically demanding to manufacture (the cage must be self-supporting) and more visually dramatic — the rotating cage is fully visible from above without a metal bridge obscuring any part of the mechanism.

On the Haofa 2268, the flying tourbillon cage rotates at 6 o’clock — visible through the open-worked dial construction as a continuously rotating mechanical element. This is not a decorative simulation — it is a functional tourbillon complication that is part of the actual movement architecture.

Cal. 3HD6E — Haofa’s Automatic Tourbillon Movement

The Cal. 3HD6E is Haofa’s proprietary automatic tourbillon caliber, designed and manufactured in-house. Key specifications:

Double mainspring (double barrel): two mainsprings in series rather than the single mainspring of standard automatic movements. The double barrel provides two functional advantages: the 72-hour power reserve (versus the 40–42 hours of a single-barrel movement) and more consistent power delivery across the reserve — a double barrel provides more even torque to the escapement as it winds down, reducing the accuracy variation that occurs as a single mainspring loses tension.

28,800 vph: the high-beat rate produces a smooth seconds sweep and provides the escapement with 8 impulses per second — more frequent than the 6 impulses per second of 21,600 vph movements, which improves the tourbillon’s averaging function.

35 jewels: the bearing count reflects the tourbillon’s additional mechanical complexity. A standard automatic movement uses 21–25 jewels; the tourbillon’s cage mechanism requires additional bearings.

Automatic winding: the rotor charges the double barrel through normal wrist motion. The watch does not require manual winding during regular daily wear.

The Universe Series Dial

The 2268’s dial is a three-dimensional construction — rather than a flat printed surface, the dial uses multiple layers of skeletal elements at different heights, creating physical depth visible from above. The cosmic design references the three-dimensional character of the subject matter: planetary orbits, celestial bodies and stellar structures are represented as physical objects at different focal depths rather than printed graphics.

The 3D micro-carving technique — referenced in Haofa’s production notes — produces dial elements with three-dimensional form rather than flat relief. Miniature planetary forms, structural frameworks and the exposed movement architecture create a dial that reads differently depending on the viewing angle and light source.

The high-definition luminous coating is applied to multiple dial elements — not only the hands and hour markers, but to structural elements of the cosmic design, creating a sci-fi luminous display in darkness that reflects the thematic character of the Universe Series.

Case and Construction

The 316L stainless steel case uses mirror polishing on all surfaces — no brushed elements, fully polished throughout. The mirror finish is the correct approach for a watch whose value proposition is visual drama: polished steel maximises the case’s light-capturing and reflective character, which contributes to the overall presentation of the 3D dial and visible tourbillon mechanism.

The convex sapphire crystal with AR coating provides scratch resistance appropriate for a watch at this price point. The convex profile adds a slight lens effect over the dial, consistent with the three-dimensional character of the overall design.

50m water resistance with a screw-down crown is appropriate for daily wear — the Haofa 2268 is a formal watch rather than a sport instrument, and 50m provides splash and rain protection for all daily contexts.

Haofa as a Brand

Haofa (brand name: Haofatourbillon) is a Chinese watch manufacturer that produces its tourbillon movements in-house — a distinction from brands that source movements from third-party suppliers. Their automatic tourbillon movements are described by the brand as “renowned for their stability and accuracy” within the in-house Chinese tourbillon category.

The 3-year warranty on the 2268 is longer than the standard 2-year warranty common in this category and reflects the manufacturer’s confidence in the movement longevity.

The Haofa 2268 is part of a broader Haofa tourbillon range available at Jewelry Addicts — the full collection is at the Haofa Watches page.

Who Is the Haofa 2268 For?

The 2268 is built for:

• Buyers who want a genuine flying tourbillon complication — not a simulated or decorative tourbillon, but a functional automatic tourbillon movement — at a price point accessible relative to Swiss and Japanese tourbillons
• Collectors who appreciate the 3D cosmic skeleton dial as a specific aesthetic — the Universe Series design is distinctive from standard skeleton watches
• Gift buyers who want a dramatic, high-impact timepiece with the included limited-edition gift box and night light
• Those who want the double mainspring 72-hour power reserve as a practical daily benefit

Important context on tourbillon pricing: genuine automatic tourbillon watches from Swiss manufacturers typically begin at $5,000–$10,000 and range to well above $100,000. Chinese in-house tourbillons from manufacturers like Haofa occupy a genuine middle ground — real mechanical tourbillon complications at a fraction of Swiss tourbillon prices, with the trade-off of Chinese rather than Swiss movement heritage. For buyers who want the mechanical complication itself and are informed about this context, the value proposition is clear.

How It Compares

vs. Carnival 8880G Tourbillon — The Carnival 8880G is another Chinese in-house automatic tourbillon at a comparable price. Compare dial design, power reserve and movement specification directly — both represent the accessible Chinese tourbillon category.

vs. Jinlery J9062 Tourbillon — The Jinlery J9062 takes a different dial direction. Compare for design preference — both use in-house Chinese tourbillon movements.

vs. Reef Tiger RGA1930 — The Reef Tiger RGA1930 uses Reef Tiger’s in-house tourbillon in a more conventional watch aesthetic. The Haofa 2268 is the more visually dramatic option; the Reef Tiger is the more restrained collector choice.

vs. Haofa Spaceship Skeleton — The Haofa Spaceship is another Haofa model with a different design direction from the same manufacturer. If you like the Haofa movement quality but want a different aesthetic, the Spaceship is the sibling comparison.

More from Jewelry Addicts

Exploring tourbillon watches and Haofa:

• Haofa Watches — Full Collection — all Haofa models at Jewelry Addicts
• Carnival 8880G Tourbillon — Carnival’s in-house automatic tourbillon
• Reef Tiger Tourbillon Collection — Reef Tiger tourbillon range
• Jinlery J9062 Tourbillon — Jinlery’s tourbillon option