Whose got the stones to wear a tourbillon?

[Augustus Medici]

What's your opinion of this magnificent watch complication in practical terms? If you owned one (or for the people on this forum that are fortunate enough to actually own one!), would you wear it publicly, all the time? Even with jeans on? Or only to dress functions? Would you wear it to work? Or is it too obnoxious and noveau riche to sport around?

I've had a lifelong fascination with time pieces and other works of automata. It's too bad the JLC Gyrotourbillon will forever be out of my financial reach

 

[lee_44106]

I would phrase the questions as "Who's got the zeros in the bank account to wear tourbillon?"

I, unfortunately, do not.

If I do, I'd certainly wear it as much as possible. Outside of watch connoisseurs, people will not recognize a tourbillon from a reserve de marche. In addition, unless one is sporting a Grande Complication, most tourbillon watches are quite "plain"

 

[texas_jack]

Those exposed tourbillon watches are a little overplayed at this point. They are now making double tourbillon watches that are just ridiculous. Not that I could afford it but I would pass.

 

[hopkins_student]

Just so I can have some perspective on the issue, about how much does a Patek with a tourbillon run?

 

[zjpj83]

Originally Posted by hopkins_student

Just so I can have some perspective on the issue, about how much does a Patek with a tourbillon run?
well into 6 figures Other makers are around 100K if it's the only complication and can be significantly less if you get it gray market.

 

[zjpj83]

I'd rather have a minute repeater, personally.

They're also like 2-300K. Minute repeater+tourbillon = 350K Minute repeater+tourbillon+perpetual calendar = 500K Doesn't make much sense to me but some are really into it. The sad thing is that by and large don't get worn, which I guess is the central thrust of this thread. Collectors buy them, look at them from time to time. They are investments. Buy a Patek minute repeater today and sell it for more in 10 years. I don't think something that's an investment can really be a true passion, but I don't really understand the watch world. It's like buying a car and just letting it sit in the garage. Or a suit and just looking at it on a manequin. Defeats the purpose IMO. A car is meant to be driven. That it's a wonderful sculpture and mechanical marvel is secondary. Watches are meant to be worn on wrists, not as artwork/curiosities for the rich. Still, it's theirs, I suppose they can melt it down if they really want to. I just don't think that many collectors do their pieces justice.

 

[LabelKing]

Tourbillons are really more of an aesthetic device than anything that practical. Of course, Breguet had intended them to be practical but today, they are anything but.

 

[sho'nuff]

call me crazy, but i can understand the tourbillons not being worn but just appreciated by keeping in a glass case.

i myself have a few shoes that i dont wear, just keep in the closet to appreciate every regular time to take out and try on on the carpet and admire and put away.
coincidentally i do this on ly when the spouse is not around.

 

[countdemoney]

Originally Posted by diorshoe

i myself have a few shoes that i dont wear, just keep in the closet to appreciate every regular time to take out and try on on the carpet and admire and put away.
coincidentally i do this only when the spouse is not around.

That's exactly how I handle Eva Green!

I'd wear the watch, but probably wouldn't buy one.

 

[zjpj83]

Originally Posted by countdemoney

I'd wear the watch, but probably wouldn't buy one.
LOL

 

[countdemoney]

Not like that. just agreeing with you that if I had a watch like that, I wouldn't leave it on a shelf or in a vault box.

Probably the same with Eva Green too . . .

 

[hopkins_student]

Originally Posted by zjpj83

I'd rather have a minute repeater, personally.

I would agree on that.

 

[LabelKing]

I have a minute repeater pocket watch in a suitably bizzare nickel case; it doesn't even chime anymore because I couldn't find a watchmaker who knew how to work on it.

 

[mr monty]

:QUOTE=Augustus Medici]What's your opinion of this magnificent watch complication in practical terms? If you owned one (or for the people on this forum that are fortunate enough to actually own one!), would you wear it publicly, all the time? Even with jeans on? Or only to dress functions? Would you wear it to work? Or is it too obnoxious and noveau riche to sport around?

I've had a lifelong fascination with time pieces and other works of automata. It's too bad the JLC Gyrotourbillon will forever be out of my financial reach

[/quote]

99% of people don't what a tourbillion timepiece is, let alone what it looks like.

 

[Nantucket Red]

I'd wear the platinum Patek tank with the pink dial in which the tourbillon is only visible through the crystal back of the watch.

Whether I ever will is another matter.