Chinese tourbillons, would you buy or is the stigma too much?
Tue, 20 March 2018 19:24
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?
Messages: 1493 Location: The Rats Mouth
Registered: December 2003
who Cares what people think
Tue, 20 March 2018 19:56
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.
Re: Chinese tourbillons, would you buy or is the stigma too much?
Wed, 21 March 2018 01:06
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.
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
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.
Messages: 1054 Location: Connecticut
Registered: July 2012
Doesn't bother me...
Wed, 21 March 2018 07:20
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?
Messages: 5666 Location: Boston
Registered: August 2009
i would
Wed, 21 March 2018 07:51
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.
Messages: 4529 Location: The Netherlands
Registered: December 2009
If at all, I would buy a Swiss one
Wed, 21 March 2018 09:12
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.
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
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)
Time is Money, everywhere but Dark Side of the Moon.
Messages: 1054 Location: Connecticut
Registered: July 2012
Nice looking example! The brand name, however...
Wed, 21 March 2018 13:42
"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"!
Messages: 2124 Location: Chicago suburbs
Registered: December 2003
No, but not because of Chinese stigma
Wed, 21 March 2018 16:31
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!)
Re: I had one...$600-700, if I recall correctly...
Wed, 21 March 2018 17:53
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.
Messages: 3705 Location: Timely Manor, PA, USA
Registered: November 2003
Exactly!
Thu, 22 March 2018 10:56
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.
Messages: 2763 Location: Santa Monica
Registered: May 2004
Some of them are very nice.
Fri, 23 March 2018 02:29
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.
