Reply With QuoteCrikey mate. You're on a bit of a gold rush at the moment! I agree wouldn't have happened under Swatch, and something different. Obviously the whole tourbillon thing can't quite be captured in pics but must be mesmerising!
Completely out of the blue for me, saw it and just fell in love. A hard choice was made and now it's on my wrist; I know made the right decision, it is other-worldly beautiful.
An edition of 25 in rose gold (and 25 in Platinum) from 2002/2003, it's the Alfred Helwig Tourbillon 2. Helwig was a Glashutte watchmaker who invented the flying Tourbillon in 1920 and this edition commemorates that and I believe may have been released to coincide with the opening of the Glashutte Original school of watchmaking. Information online is sketchy to say the least!
Retrograde date and a power reserve complete the package and the whole watch is just so beautifully executed. The old style 38-39mm brushed Senator case works so well on this piece lending an air of discretion compared to the current range of highly polished whoppers (which I do also love incidentally!) but this is something that the modern Swatch-owned GO would not produce today. I have been watching the tourbillon move all day; one of the arms has a blued steel tip so is used as the second hand to great effect. The endstones of the tourbillon are two perfectly rose-cut diamonds, something I have never seen before (although I confess I have never looked).
Quick wrist shot, with thanks to those that encouraged me to go for it!
Crikey mate. You're on a bit of a gold rush at the moment! I agree wouldn't have happened under Swatch, and something different. Obviously the whole tourbillon thing can't quite be captured in pics but must be mesmerising!
Very beautiful looking watch, congratulations !
Re: A hard choice was made
What?Sold the house?:-)
it is gorgeous. Well done.
As long as the sacrifices involved only watches, am sure it was worth it.
I mgiht prefer a black strap but this strap is great too.
My goodness, that is special indeed!
Straight swap. Both parties very happy with the deal.Originally Posted by RAJEN
Hmm,wonder which one did you sacrifice.
Regardless, this is my favorite of all of your watches I have seen.
5205G Raj - it was the most easily replaced should I regret it.
Congratulations Lewis, glad you're happy with it.
I've not seen a tourbillon yet that I have truly fallen in love with, but I can't help admire it as an engineering solution.
So, not quite my tempo, but happy that you're happy.
Don't see many of those- very lovely indeed Lewis :)
Yes!! Like that one, really like that one. Suits you perfectly as well, many congrats.
This cries out for a video.
Any chance of one, Lewis?
M.
I’d say you got the better deal out of that, congrats.
Like you said, 5205s are not exactly hard to obtain, but 1 of 25 is a lot more desirable (when it looks as well as that does), in comparison.
Hmm. I'll try - if I can load up to Photobucket and then post? Don't have a Youtube account.
http://vid968.photobucket.com/albums...psmsiecthf.mp4
Either of those work?
Last edited by DB9yeti; 13th January 2016 at 16:56.
Nice vid here while we wait :)
Hey, I had first dibs on that 5205G! :(
Joking... I think you did well with the swap. A tourbillon has been on my list for a while too! Congrats!
I love the satin finish on the case sides....🤓
lovely piece Lewis
i've been quiet for a while on the watch front but love watching the likes of your goodself flipping and trying new stuff; that's beautiful.
health to wear as always mate.
Very cool
M
Sorry Omar - he actually offered me more than I would have sold it for on here - certainly more than I paid!
The follow up one is nice too - shows how the flying Tourbillon is constructed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILYy4iRfRfU
I'd take that Tourbillon over the frankly pretty average looking Patek every day of the week as well. I think you've done very well.
An amazing watch and movement
Your videos are working Lewis.
Very cool. I really like the idea of a watch where you can see some of the movement through the dial, but I don't think my budget stretches to a tourbillon much as I like the idea.
Enjoy!
M
Breitling Cosmonaute 809 - What's not to like?
Another great watch. Slightly in awe at the level your playing at. It's taken me years to save and pluck up the courage for just one large purchase.
Please keep up the pace that you've started the new year with as you're on a roll with these beauties.
Also have to agree on your logic of the 5205 swap. It's easy to replace but didn't the residuals on GO's scare you slightly?
Thanks for sharing, one of the best looking tourbillon watches that I have seen. As I'm unlikely to afford one I tell myself they are an indulgence in a wristwatch (although more understandable in a pocket watch). Then I find myself mesmerised by them in Harrods watch hall at regular intervals. Absolutely beautiful and elegant watch.
Very special!
Great looking watch.
It's a 2002 watch, I figure it's hit rock bottom! Who knows long term, and this is a long termer. The PP was probably a safer bet but for me it's about experiencing different watches.
Spoken like a true enthusiast! Nice one! And what a great choice, i love that
Cheers. Interesting to hear that 'the head' still played a part. It's a rare beauty indeed and a great complement to your collection.
Now that is something of extreme beauty. Simply wonderful
That's very nice indeed. I would stare at that all day long, congratulations .
Beautiful watch. Just out of interest, how is it keeping time?
Lewis, you are one of the few true connoisseurs on here - or at least one of the few who can afford to be.
Please keep buying, selling, flipping and most of all please keep on sharing them all with us mere mortals via these great threads!
Unusually I set it against the Watchville app last night as I was having a fiddle with it (it doesn't hack but the tourbillon can be stopped with gentle back pressure - I won't make a habit of it!)
-2 in just over 24hrs, I'm ok with that!
lovely thing that Lewis.
Stunning, congratulations!
Congratulations Lewis :)
It look great on your wrist and the video shows why a tourbillion is such a very special complication.
Congratulations Lewis.
Looking at your pictures I'd say that is stretching it a bit, but it's definitely a special watch and a beautiful complication. Apologies for a down-to-earth question, but when the time comes to have it serviced, what are your options? Does it go back to GO?
Yep, back to GO, They are very fair with their prices and also have great customer service. It won't be cheap but I wouldn't expect more than any other high end complication - eyes fully open with this one. There doesn't seem to be a 'prestige' fee with them anyway.
The watch was serviced about 5 years ago anyway so should be OK for the foreseeable. It's running beautifully anyway.
At 38-39mm and slim, it's surprisingly delicate and discrete!
Nice to hear their customer service is good. It's what you hope for at this price level. I wasn't suggesting the watch was too flashy by the way, just that the quality and intricacy of the dial and case aren't easily missed!
Very nice Lewis. If you spend a lot of time in a suit then that watch is going to be a regular I'm sure. There are very few gold watches I see that I like but that's gorgeous.
Twice a year if I'm lucky! I wear anything with anything, but always overdressed (watch-wise) rather than under ;)
Not much to add but just wanted to say that I really enjoy your posts on high end stuff DB9. It's really great to see someone with such passion who wants to share it with a like-minded community. Much appreciated and that's a beautiful piece.
Very late to reading this thread.
What can I say that hasn't already been written, but WOW!
I think we're all running out of superlatives for your acquisitions, but congratulations, another superb addition to an already fabulous and varied collection.
Even later to this.
Really nice, think it was the right trade. Is it just me, or does it have a look of a Breguet to it?
Malc
Lovely, perfect size too and very understated for a tourbillon
I love following your varied and interesting watch journey. it literally saves me a fortune :)
The only Tourbillon I've seen up close was a 47mm Panerai Luminor one a couple of years back. Really enjoyed having a good look over and trying it on.
IIRC it was no 1 of X. Or maybe they had no.1 elsewhere in stock. can't remember. it was WoS.
Unfortunately at the time I didn't have the £75k they wanted for it. And despite them offering to do it interest free over 12 months I had to decline.
Oh well :)
Wow - that's an amazing looking watch. You have some fantastic timepieces!
ATB
Jon
Sick! Enjoy!
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