Comments on: What’s A Tourbillon Really Worth?

By: Wow Watch Wednesday: Jean Dunand Grande Complication | The Watch Lounge – the Online Watch Lover's Magazine

Wed, 19 May 2010 14:34:28 +0000

[...] to try and promote the brand’s credentials as a watch-maker (as we’ve previously discussed here). Jean Dunand is certainly not a brand that needs to do this, instead adopting a more subtle [...]

By: On-The-Wrist Review: Longio SG3824A Flying Tourbillon | The Watch Lounge – the Online Watch Lover's Magazine

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 03:05:00 +0000

[...] there’s been a fair bit of discussion about the real value of a tourbillon complication here on The Watch Lounge and it was very positive to see reader’s voicing their opinions and getting involved in the [...]

By: The Alpina Extreme Tourbillon Regulator Manufacture | The Watch Lounge – the Online Watch Lover's Magazine

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:38:27 +0000

[...] these two concepts are somewhat contradictory. In light of Tom Mulraney’s article about the real value of tourbillon watches, I find it suiting to take a closer look at a watch that claims to offer both luxury and value. It [...]

By: Tom Mulraney

Tom Mulraney — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:16:10 +0000

That’s great to hear Ramsay, and thank you so much for the positive feedback and support!

But don’t just thank me, thank all the great contributors to the site and the readers who take the time to write comments. They’re what makes The Watch Lounge really great!

By: Ramsay Taplin

Ramsay Taplin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:42:04 +0000

It is so wonderful to see such a great community of experts gathering here. I have been converted to a watch lover by the sheer insights provided in these articles and the follow up comments. Great job Tom.

Ramsay

By: Tom Mulraney

Tom Mulraney — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:30:07 +0000

Great comments guys, some really insightful stuff being said here!

I agree Todd and have said as much myself to some of the Chinese manufacturers. First and foremost they need to engage with their consumers and address the issue of the perceived poor quality of their products. Longio have taken the first step towards this by sending out some of their watches to be reviewed by sites like The Watch Lounge, but from what we have seen so far (and you will see more later this week when we publish the official review) they still have a long way to go in the quality stakes, as Marco quite rightly pointed out.

I think your predictions for the future are also quite interesting Ian and I think your bang on the money about BW this year. What the coming years may hold, however, could be quite a different story!

Again guys thank you for the great discussion, please keep the comments coming

By: Marco Gagliano

Marco Gagliano — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:59:40 +0000

I have seen some $3000 Chinese Tourbillons and they are FAR from being luxury products. I don’t think anyone is able to produce a Tourb right now that displays the quality that is expected from this high level of complication at the prices that are expected of the “made in China” moniker. In other words, I am sure the Chinese could produce some quality tourbillons, but no one would buy them. The Japanese manufacturers are perhaps primed for such a move, but they seem to be taking high-end watchmaking one step at a time.

By: ian

ian — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:17:51 +0000

So it has come to this in the end. This is a discussion which will become more vociferous over the next few years. To some a Tourbillion is just a method for adding 100K to the price of a watch, to others it is an invaluable way to increase the accuracy of a watch.

Whichever is true the cost implications can not be ignored and the rise of ‘constant force’ movements is ever more likely. Not only because of cost and complexity, but also ease of manufacture, maintenance and slimness of the movement.

The issue for constant force advocates is that it is not a flashy ‘in your face’ technology and despite the R&D needed to make it work effectively you are unlikely to be able to charge the client a huge premium for it. Of course the IWC 31 day movement is an exception and they have been able to establish pricing model that works for them.

Will we see many for constant force watches at Baselworld, probably not, more likely next year, will be see lots of Tourbillions, certainly. But do they have the whole game to themselves for much longer, no I don’t think so. Could be an interesting couple of years

By: Todd Caldwell

Todd Caldwell — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 09:56:56 +0000

I did mean to finish off with the fact that the Tourbillon seems everywhere now, and with the perception of ” Made in China ” i have outlined above, I see it as passing without being noticed.
Your right in saying they need something new, some impact, but i still cant see ” Made in China ” having any impact at all, Tourbillon or new complication, until they repair the damage done to their reputation.
We all know they can make a quality item, i am just waiting to see when they will.

By: Todd Caldwell

Todd Caldwell — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 09:52:04 +0000

I agree with your article, and dont think its going to launch them into the high end market.
I do think it will have an impact on the outrageous prices though, of some Swiss Tourbillon watches, making them perhaps accessible to the next income bracket down. I still wont have the money though!
But in my opinion, i cant see the Chinese watch industry making a significant impact at all in the coming decade.
While some companies now scramble for movements, the issue of ETA will resolve itself.
The average consumer sees ” Made in China ” as a poor quality label, and nothing they do in the short term can repair, the many decades of flooding the markets of every conceivable product, with poor quality items.
I think this is reflected in many watch brands having components, such as the watch cases made in China, but hiding that fact.
If it was to become public knowledge, they could not charge the retail the currently enjoy.

By: Tom Mulraney

Tom Mulraney — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 09:18:03 +0000

Good pick up Alex, thank you. All fixed