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Apollo11capcom


Messages: 50
Registered: March 2018
Chinese tourbillons, would you buy or is the stigma too much? Tue, 20 March 2018 19:24 Go to next message

So you can get into a real tourbillon for a tiny fraction of the cost of a Swiss or German version. They even have a double axis Chinese tourbillon available (although I think it was over 40k). So would you buy a Chinese tourbillon for under a grand? Would it make the rotation?

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Jace


Messages: 1493
Location: The Rats Mouth
Registered: December 2003
who Cares what people think Tue, 20 March 2018 19:56 Go to previous messageGo to next message

The tourbillon is the most useless complication on the planet. It's really there to look cool. It serves no purpose in a wrist watch. If you want one, and you're not a good zillionaire, go ahead and get the Chinese version.

I have nothing to say.

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leostar


Messages: 27240
Registered: February 2007
Re: Chinese tourbillons, would you buy or is the stigma too much? Tue, 20 March 2018 20:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message

No. To me tourbillon (wherever it's made) is just a very expensive jewelry.

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Barge


Messages: 7793
Location: Zürich
Registered: December 2008
I am Swiss Tue, 20 March 2018 20:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message

So no, but I wouldn't by a Swiss one either. it's just not something I need.

Spread love & compassion!

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two2tone


Messages: 4907
Location: Denver
Registered: November 2003
My tourbillon's are made by a Chinese company called "Breguet"... Tue, 20 March 2018 21:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message

Probably by some cheap knockoff company in Shanghai.

"A man with a watch knows what time it is; a man with two watches is never quite sure."

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hookup


Messages: 486
Location: PO
Registered: March 2009
Re: who Cares what people think Tue, 20 March 2018 21:25 Go to previous messageGo to next message

+ 1

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Wristcheck


Messages: 399
Registered: June 2016
Why not, if you like it? I've also seen some very beautiful... Tue, 20 March 2018 23:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message

...Chinese enamel and cloisonne dials with beautiful artwork.

"It is so choice...if you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."

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Apollo11capcom


Messages: 50
Registered: March 2018
Re: Chinese tourbillons, would you buy or is the stigma too much? Wed, 21 March 2018 01:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message

I agree that it's now an obsolete feature though in its time it served a purpose... or at least was supposed to. Now it seems to be a useless but beautiful luxury for the wealthy. However I will say that regardless the price, I'm glad JLC invented the Gyrotourbillon. I can watch it do it's thing endlessly.

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Apollo11capcom


Messages: 50
Registered: March 2018
Re: My tourbillon's are made by a Chinese company called "Breguet"... Wed, 21 March 2018 01:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message

Breguet was the man when it came to tourbillons. Maybe he should have named them costbillions.*drum fill*

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Champthekid


Messages: 11563
Location: USA
Registered: May 2008
Re: Chinese tourbillons, would you buy or is the stigma too much? Wed, 21 March 2018 06:13 Go to previous messageGo to next message

I bought this one (right) many years ago. It's runs perfectly. I gave it to one of my children who wears it a a lot and really likes it. Mo stigma at all. It's just another watch.
 photo de04a707.jpg

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Jim85


Messages: 990
Location: Missouri
Registered: January 2018
Re: Chinese tourbillons, would you buy or is the stigma too much? Wed, 21 March 2018 06:56 Go to previous messageGo to next message

Sorry, I'm just old school. I would not buy a Chinese. That's just me it has nothing to do with vanity.

No mater your age, never stop learning or being kind to others.

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Jecopo


Messages: 1054
Location: Connecticut
Registered: July 2012
Doesn't bother me... Wed, 21 March 2018 07:20 Go to previous messageGo to next message

I have no desire to own one or most any tourbillon really but the country of origin isn't a showstopper to me. As to Chinese watches generally, I have no problem with them. I will always try to buy a watch based on aesthetics coupled with wuality for the price at whatever price level I am looking at. For the "stigma" question - who cares what others think?

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Tony A.H


Messages: 5666
Location: Boston
Registered: August 2009
i would Wed, 21 March 2018 07:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message

affordable doesn't mean cheap. i heard a good quality Chinese Tourbillon cost around $15 K.
the technology is out there. no need to re-invent the wheel. plus, with their great manual dexterity. i believe they can deliver as long as you're willing to pay for that quality.


the Emotion is aroused by something marvelous. gazed with Wonder.

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Ratskunk


Messages: 2337
Registered: September 2004
Are we using "stigma" in the "disgrace/shame" sense or the "snob" sense? Wed, 21 March 2018 08:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message




I've got a face full of beer and a head full of fumes.

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Watchaholic86


Messages: 434
Location: USA
Registered: February 2011
If I like it... Wed, 21 March 2018 09:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message

Why not? Who cares if it was made in China? Most stuff is : )

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Paul Bloemen


Messages: 4529
Location: The Netherlands
Registered: December 2009
If at all, I would buy a Swiss one Wed, 21 March 2018 09:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message

To start with, I'm not into tourbillons, they are pretty useless for a wrist watch, and most of the time I find the hole in the dial disturbing or even ugly. And to just see something turn around, OK, they are not for me, craftful or not.

But if I would like to buy one, I would buy what I consider to be the real deal, such a tourbillon is the epitome of a luxury good, showing off that I can afford one. It is like a diamond ring, I would like a real diamond for the fitting price.

Assuming the Chinese tourbillons are real and function well, if available at a fraction of the price of a Swiss one, to me they miss the point, being a luxury good with no real function. It almost amounts to showing off with a fake watch, which is worse than having no watch at all.

Kind regards,
Paul

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raydbonz


Messages: 3179
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Registered: June 2005
Why not? Wed, 21 March 2018 11:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message

It's just a watch. A fashion accessory if you will.

99.9% of the population could care less where it was made or even recognize what it was.

Anyone who would attach a stigma to an inanimate object or judge a person based on a watch has issues and likely needs a therapist or medication.

If you find one you like, buy it.


"Dr. Bill" on almost every other forum. I shaved Schrödinger's cat with Ockham's razor.

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Watch Carefully


Messages: 3705
Location: Timely Manor, PA, USA
Registered: November 2003
I had one...$600-700, if I recall correctly... Wed, 21 March 2018 12:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message

Bought it via the SC here, I think.
Nice piece, it wasn't perfect, the movement finish was slightly sub-par and ran a little off the accuracy mark I wanted of a tourbillon, but for the money, it was a fun experiment. I wonder if it could have been regulated to meet my expectations of accuracy but, ultimately, I decided I wanted that money for other purchases and experiences, so off it went.
I'd consider doing it again...if it ran within the timing specs I demand.

Other downsides of this particular model include:
* Too much text on the dial
* Dorky-sounding name that suggested a fake/knock-off
* I seem to recall H & B were reversed on the RDM indicator (Haut should represent fully wound state)

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Time is Money, everywhere but Dark Side of the Moon.

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Jecopo


Messages: 1054
Location: Connecticut
Registered: July 2012
Nice looking example! The brand name, however... Wed, 21 March 2018 13:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message

"Minorva"? That is just comically awful. It makes me think of an old Simpsons episode in which Homey goes to a discount store to buy TV and looks at a variety of "brands" like genuine "Sorny" and "Panafonics"!

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Smaug


Messages: 2124
Location: Chicago suburbs
Registered: December 2003
No, but not because of Chinese stigma Wed, 21 March 2018 16:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message

I have three Chinese watches. Used to have four. But I kept the three because they are just great. (especially the Beijing)

To me, the reason it is a no-go is technical. The tourbillon was invented to counteract the effects of gravity on the balance, even when it is in the same position all day. It was designed for pocket watches, which were/are in a pocket, and in one position most of the day.

Putting one in a wrist watch just doesn't make sense, unless it is for eye candy. (or unless you're VERY sedentary!)


-Jeremy

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Apollo11capcom


Messages: 50
Registered: March 2018
Re: I had one...$600-700, if I recall correctly... Wed, 21 March 2018 17:53 Go to previous messageGo to next message

I think that's the most attractive one I've seen. The case on the dual axis model I found online was just hideous. In their defence I think it was just a prototype.

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Hudsonj


Messages: 30
Location: Italy
Registered: December 2017
Re: Chinese tourbillons, would you buy or is the stigma too much? Wed, 21 March 2018 18:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message

if its impressive then i can buy.

Hudsonj

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Watch Carefully


Messages: 3705
Location: Timely Manor, PA, USA
Registered: November 2003
Exactly! Thu, 22 March 2018 10:56 Go to previous messageGo to next message

Jecopo wrote on Wed, 21 March 2018 17:42
"Minorva"? That is just comically awful. It makes me think of an old Simpsons episode in which Homer goes to a discount store to buy TV and looks at a variety of "brands" like genuine "Sorny" and "Panafonics"!


Over on the Vintage Forum we've made many jokes about "Hormilton" and other bad knock-off names for brand-name watches...this would fit right in!


Time is Money, everywhere but Dark Side of the Moon.

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E L


Messages: 21
Location: france
Registered: March 2018
Re: Chinese tourbillons, would you buy or is the stigma too much? Thu, 22 March 2018 11:36 Go to previous messageGo to next message

not my thing sincerely

EL

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mkvc


Messages: 2763
Location: Santa Monica
Registered: May 2004
Some of them are very nice. Fri, 23 March 2018 02:29 Go to previous messageGo to next message

Taking it as a given that you are not buying a tourbillon for functional reasons, in my opinion some of the nicest-looking ones are Chinese. I bought one to see what it was like to have a tourbillon (knowing I would never get a Swiss one), and my wife promptly decided she liked it and wore it a lot. It has been dependable, but when it stops I do not intend to have it serviced.

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Paul Delury


Messages: 25299
Location: Australia
Registered: November 2003
Sorny, Panaphonics, Magnetbox...> Fri, 23 March 2018 06:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message

...all reputable brands.



Here's a beautiful vintage Hamilton I picked up recently. Wait a minute...! Huh? D'oh!



Paul.

[Updated on: Fri, 23 March 2018 06:42]

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Hudsonj


Messages: 30
Location: Italy
Registered: December 2017
Re: Chinese tourbillons, would you buy or is the stigma too much? Sun, 25 March 2018 09:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message

if you like it and you can deal with it then why not try? just saying

Hudsonj

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Apollo11capcom


Messages: 50
Registered: March 2018
Re: Chinese tourbillons, would you buy or is the stigma too much? Sun, 25 March 2018 09:28 Go to previous message

That's a beautiful Hormilton!

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