The Breitling Watch Source Forums

is this movement really worth 100K+..

the Breitling Bentley Tourbillion about 150K, others range 150-600+

looking forward to your thoughts!

Not in my opinion. JLC has the Master Tourbillon for something like $50,000. I think its the cheapest Swiss tourbillon on the market.

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-RJ

Worth it in what sense? A tourbillion is mostly for show at this point as a demonstration of watchmaking skill. If you're seriously considering spending that much on a watch, I'd personally look at some of the perpetual calendars and other grand complications.

The tourbillon has been one of the major haute horlogerie complications of the mechanical renaissance - the ultimate test of a watchmaker's skill, but in my opinion they are becoming too common. The small boutique shops are starting to produce tourbillons as proof of their ability, in some cases they make their own, in some cases they contract with someone to make them for them (in secret) - which kinda defeats the object. Incidentally many of the well known headline tourbillons from Swiss houses in recent years originate in the Netherlands!

In terms of what they bring to accuracy, the benefit has been dubious ever since the tourbillon was invented, and there are definitely better ways of achieving the accuracy today. Many tourbillons are so expensive because of other factors - the case material, some of the other complications that they offer, etc - that's in large part why JLC's steel cased version is cheaper - street price is actually around $40k.

Is it worth it, well that's tough - what defines value - is a Breitling worth the money, what about a Patek, and so on.

Personally there are a few tourbillons that I would like to add to my collection, but most of them are in vintage pocket watches rather than modern wristwatches.

To me it's about the price full stop : whether it's a tourbillon or not, it doesn't matter to me. I'd need to ask myself whether I'd spend 100K on ANYTHING other than taking a chunk off my mortgage!

Like anything it's all relative. If you're a multi-millionaire, then 100K might not seem that much. As far as I'm concerned I max out at around 10K GBP as far as watches go. That is my psychological barrier, and to be fair I've onbly ever bought one watch that even approaches that price - my Big Pilot.

Like all watches (and in fact all consumables) only the buyer can say whether they believe it to be worth it or not. It's a case of "if you have to ask if it's worth it, then it probably isn't to you".

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Driver8

Site Moderator

when i see a Tourbillion i cry a little. i love them. one of the guys serving me in my AD when i bought my zenith had a gold JLC Tourbillion and it was stunning. I agree with D8 if you think "is it worth it" then it isent for you. Personally i would feel a great sense of joy wearing something that a watch maker has probably considered to be there "finest piece", the best that they can do.

The money is silly to be fare...

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Pain is only weakness leaving the body.

i am in no way considering buying one of these nor would I have the means to do so.. but have been seeing alot of them while i have been researching multiple brands. the extreme price jump is what caught my eye and curiousity...

I guess your right though, each his own and assignment of value is to the eye of the beholder.

thanks for your thoughts

They are beautiful to look at but i would never drop $100k on one, or even half that just for the sake of having a Tourbillon.

I've just picked up one of these for $500 and sure it's Chinese not Swiss or German but it's still fun to look at and a nice looking watch imo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMQBUn5S ... re=related

(not my video, i'm not advertising or selling or advocating anyone who is)

from my understanding the tourbillion was first built for pocket watches. since they hung upside down the gearing would get thrown off from gravity or something like that. if this holds true the only reason for a watch maker to still make it is to show off their skill set as some one already mentioned.

As for whether its worth it.....i have to agree with the other memebers...its only worth it depending on how much you love it....or how much money you have. i agree with the other memeber i cant justify spending this kind of money. there are soooooo many watches ranging from 5-15k USD that would keep me more than happy for years. jMO

http://www.europastar.com/europastar/watch_tech/tourbillon.jsp

Good, and somewhat critical article about tourbillon movements. The author seems to have reverence for the tourbillon while pointing out just how useless it actually is in a wristwatch.

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“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein