While not of immediate interest to those of us who still fly commercial (and buy four-figure watches), it seems like making a tourbillon has almost become a badge of honor for many of the leading watch brands. Intriguing to me that as TAG Heuer focuses on the $1,500 to $5,000 price range, where it may generate most of its revenue, it still needs to "Halo Effect" of these high-end watches, that will generate the headlines.

No matter what kind of amazing re-issue Carrera or Autavia TAG Heuer might issue, it is unlikely to grab headlines. But this Carrera Heuer 02, and the Monaco V4, and the "Connected Watch" will deliver the headlines. Seems like all this is part of the calculus . . . you can't just announce that we will make killer watches in the $1,500 to $5,000 band . . . got the get the headlines / halos.

Jeff

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

: Jeff,

: This just shows what modern machining techniques will allow. The
: problem with Tourbillon watches is that even when the price
: comes down a buyer should think about the long term. As with
: other very complicated mechanisms, such as perpetual dates and
: repeaters there will be an ongoing cost associated with
: maintenance. Make sure that when you buy one you can afford the
: cost of the first Clean, Oil and Adjust because not very many
: people other than the factory will be able to do it and it is
: going to set you back.

: One last little rant. When Breguet came up with the concept of the
: tourbillon he would never have intended it to go in a wrist
: watch. The whole idea is, from a practical standpoint absurd.
: The tourbillon concept was designed for a pocket watch, which
: when worn is much more positionally stable (in a pocket) than a
: wrist watch (on a wrist). Since this complication serves almost
: no practical purpose, tfitting a wrist watch with a tourbillon
: balance takes it out of the tool watch range and puts it into
: the cool watch range. I have no real problem with this. I own a
: vintage tourbillon pocket watch and it is a fascinating thing to
: watch.

: I suppose if I were private jet rich I might buy a beautiful
: tourbillon wrist watch...say a Brequet...but...probably not.

: JohnCote