closing tag is in template navbar
timefactors watches



TZ-UK Fundraiser
Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 50 of 105

Thread: The absolute 'bonkers' watch thread

  1. #1

    The absolute 'bonkers' watch thread

    Some watches are just designed to be absolutely ridiculous. These watches almost make you blush in their outrageousness and in many cases so far beyond your reach you may only be fit enough to drool from a distance. I think we need a thread to collate these said watches both new/released as well as your own. To set the standard I introduce you to the MB&F Horological Machine No. 9 'Flow'. Even the name is completely ridiculous! And here is a picture of the watch -



    It is absolutely magnificent. And you can't afford it at $182k odd. However MB&F are a massively approachable brand - if they turn up to Salon QP go and play with their creations, they are lovely people. More information on 'dinkee - https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/mb...ow-introducing

    So now I've set the standard, lets see the 'bonkers' watches that you lust over. If you own a watch that fit the criteria of madness (especially if it costs less than 6 figures....) lets see them!!!!

    Edit - video obviously needed.

    Last edited by crazyp; 24th September 2018 at 22:00. Reason: Watch obviously needs its own video

  2. #2

  3. #3
    That is what I'm talking about! That spider is freaking weird though....

    Richard Mille who I reckon will feature prominently in this thread released this Tourbillon model -



    I'm actually disappointed by RM - it seems a bit boring for me. However my opinion doesn't really matter as the price of the watch will make even MB&F owners blush at $828k+ . The plus is because there are other colours which ramp up the price....

  4. #4
    Grand Master SimonK's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Paris, France
    Posts
    19,497
    Devon Tread. Bonkers enough?


  5. #5
    Quote Originally Posted by SimonK View Post
    Devon Tread. Bonkers enough?
    Absolutely, and at under $20k sitting in the affordable territory. One thing most of these bonkers watches bring to the table is innovation/some interesting mechanics - the Devon uses belts and some interesting electric-ness to it. I found this old hodinkee article on it if anyone wants to learn more - https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/a-...-works-tread-1

    It brings to mind this recently announced Urwerk. I haven't quite figured out how it works/how you read the time, but looks rather cool again the 'dinkee provides a decent write up - https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/ur...g#&gid=1&pid=2


  6. #6
    Master
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Warks
    Posts
    4,964
    Azimuth do some pretty bonkers stuff that's a lot more affordable like the Mr Roboto. I'm fairly certain that about ten years ago, chronomaster was the AD in the UK for them

    Sent from my SM-G903F using TZ-UK mobile app

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by Parabola View Post
    Azimuth do some pretty bonkers stuff that's a lot more affordable like the Mr Roboto. I'm fairly certain that about ten years ago, chronomaster was the AD in the UK for them

    Sent from my SM-G903F using TZ-UK mobile app
    Their stuff wasn't too bad, though didn't quite sing to me. To be honest affordability isn't so much an issue for this thread - more about lust and desire and maybe to talk about rather interesting watches that have added a fair bit to the horological world.

    More importantly a large number of these producers are Independent and not part of some big mass produced organisation. Sadly Watch Talk has become rather generic; threads that do not contain the words Folex or Patel (and if they don't start off about them ideally the thread must descend into being about those brands) garner little interest nowadays which is a crying shame. Horologically speaking there are so much more interesting things happening and yet very few people want to discuss them. Sigh.

  8. #8
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Southampton
    Posts
    776
    I'm a big fan of both MB&F and Urwerk. I also particularly like Hyt and Cabestan which both produce some unusual pieces. Unfortunately they are not currently financially viably for me. One day though!

  9. #9
    Grand Master magirus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Up North hinny
    Posts
    39,473
    When I win the lottery it's an MB&F HM6 "Space Pirate" for me.



    F.T.F.A.

  10. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by magirus View Post
    When I win the lottery it's an MB&F HM6 "Space Pirate" for me.
    Good choice - I tried this one on last year at SalonQP - the scary thing was how wearable the thing was, super comfortable.

    I will also buy a MB&F when I win the lottery - the reason being how great their team were in discussing and letting people try on their watches, no pretentiousness whatsoever. I commented about this and they mentioned that building the relationship with enthusiasts means if/when we get an opportunity to buy something at this level, MB&F will be one of the first brands that springs to mind. And I think for their brand image they prefer WIS/enthusiasts as their buyers as opposed to RM. Brilliant marketing and win-win for all!

  11. #11
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Southampton
    Posts
    776
    Quote Originally Posted by magirus View Post
    When I win the lottery it's an MB&F HM6 "Space Pirate" for me.



    Space pirate with the sapphire case for me. I would also settle for a HM4 thunderbolt

  12. #12
    Master
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    N. Ireland
    Posts
    1,158
    Urwerk 210 when I win tonight's Euromillions -




    But if I miss the jackpot and win the £1m raffle instead I'll settle for a Corum Bridge Tourbillion, a relative bargain at under 30k new -


  13. #13
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Mainly UK
    Posts
    17,281
    Bonkers on a budget



    http://www.cathodecorner.com

  14. #14
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Yorkshire
    Posts
    464
    Slightly different take on bonkers

    The double-sided Apple Franken-Watch

    https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/articl...erard-pictures

    Favourite lines:

    Advantages: you can clip a new Apple Watch onto the strap when the current one inevitably becomes obsolete (as long as they keep it exactly the same size spec for next time).

    Disadvantages: you're going to scratch the your Apple Watch to shreds at your desk with it on the underside of your wrist.

  15. #15
    Master alfat33's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    London
    Posts
    6,198
    The Wristwatch Handbook by Ryan Schmidt is a great source of bonkers watches as well as being a very enjoyable general guide to nice watches.

    A selected few:

    The Hublot MP-12 looks only moderately bonkers until you turn the crown at 9. This causes the hands to run 4x fast or 4x slow.


    Richard Mille fans might enjoy this RM19-02. Every 5 minutes the flower petals open to reveal a flying tourbillon.


    Christophe Claret X-TREM-1 with a retrograde rack and lever movement that uses magnets to move the metal balls floating in the glass tubes. There is an inclined tourbillon for good measure - the movement looks like the inside of a 70s video recorder to me:


  16. #16
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    london
    Posts
    919

  17. #17
    Master JPE's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Finland
    Posts
    1,207
    This is the stupidest watch I've ever seen. And no, it's not a Photoshop (I guess). Haha.


  18. #18
    Grand Master zelig's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Glevum, UK
    Posts
    11,126
    Blog Entries
    81
    I quite like the idea of the HYT Hydromechanicals...



    z

  19. #19
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Sheffield
    Posts
    350
    Really like some of the crazy crontraptions, shame I'm.unlikelh to be able to afford them without the euros coming in.

    Nice to be aware though.

    Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

  20. #20
    Master sish101's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    County Durham
    Posts
    4,020
    I wonder why we've never seen them on the Friday watch posts... maybe our members are too sensible. Or too poor!

    The most peculiar one I can remember seeing is the watch with the clown / Joker face. Think it might have been a Corum. Or not. (waits 30 seconds to be corrected! )

    Sent through the ether by diddling with radio waves

  21. #21
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Mainly UK
    Posts
    17,281
    Quote Originally Posted by sish101 View Post
    I wonder why we've never seen them on the Friday watch posts... maybe our members are too sensible. Or too poor!

    The most peculiar one I can remember seeing is the watch with the clown / Joker face. Think it might have been a Corum. Or not. (waits 30 seconds to be corrected! )
    Konstantin Chaykin

    My Nixie Tube watch puts in occasional appearances

  22. #22
    Master tiny73's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Back in Blighty
    Posts
    3,963
    Quote Originally Posted by sish101 View Post
    I wonder why we've never seen them on the Friday watch posts... maybe our members are too sensible. Or too poor!
    Some of us are considerably richer than yo. ( not me mind, I’m only a billionaire).

    I love some of these things, I keep looking at Urwerks and wondering if I could live with one or a Devon tread or somesuch.

  23. #23
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Southampton
    Posts
    776
    An urwerk would be top of the list if I won the euromillions, closely followed by an mb&f.

    I’ve also been intrigued by the cabestan vertical winch tourbillion




    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  24. #24
    Grand Master snowman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Hampshire
    Posts
    14,533
    No Jaquet Droz?

    https://youtu.be/TV-SZQcS23Q

    M

    Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
    Breitling Cosmonaute 809 - What's not to like?

  25. #25
    Master Top Cat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Reading
    Posts
    2,360
    Not quite as outlandish as some but I have owned a few 'quirky' watches..

    Devon Tread 2
    NHC Analogica
    Daniel Roth something or other

  26. #26
    We need Doug Demuro to show us around the quirks and features.

  27. #27
    Master Top Cat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Reading
    Posts
    2,360
    I do have two on my list which I want to try at some point. The Freak Out and the Mexican Fireleg Tarantula. The names are awesome as are the watches!

  28. #28
    Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    London, UK
    Posts
    1,117
    Some of the stuff by Parmigiani, especially the Bugatti editions? I remember Jeremy Clarkson on TG saying it’s designed so that you don’t have to take the hands off the steering wheel of your Veyron!

    https://www.parmigiani.com/en/our-wa...ugatti-watches

  29. #29
    Quote Originally Posted by Top Cat View Post
    I do have two on my list which I want to try at some point. The Freak Out and the Mexican Fireleg Tarantula. The names are awesome as are the watches!
    Wow, nice to see this thread back up and alive! Both watches are high on my 'want' list.

    One brand I never mentioned back when I started this thread (nor has anyone else highlighted) which is very much the mic drop for bonkers is a good old Greubel Forsey. Taken from ABtW -



    More info in the following link. You definitely cannot afford this at a snippet under $700k....

    https://www.ablogtowatch.com/greubel...ch-in-ceramic/

    Another one I must highlight - Vianney Halter. Steam punk bonkers! https://quillandpad.com/2019/09/07/w...tiqua-reprise/


  30. #30
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Southampton
    Posts
    776
    I feel the Harry Winston Opus range also needs a mention in this thread. A very interesting series of watches which are collaborations between Harry Winston and interesting watchmakers such as Vianney Halter.

  31. #31
    Master
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Cockfosters & Cupertino
    Posts
    2,780
    Gorilla produce a funky looking (and relatively affordable) wandering hours watch, that's pretty bonkers:



    (Taken from: https://www.gorillawatches.ch/product/drift-elise/)

    simon

  32. #32
    Quote Originally Posted by gladders View Post
    Gorilla produce a funky looking (and relatively affordable) wandering hours watch, that's pretty bonkers:



    (Taken from: https://www.gorillawatches.ch/product/drift-elise/)

    simon
    I agree - good and interesting complication for the money. Styling isn't quite to my liking however, but it's definitely out there!

  33. #33
    Master
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Finland
    Posts
    2,481
    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Curta View Post
    Konstantin Chaykin

    My Nixie Tube watch puts in occasional appearances
    Chaykin, or this.


  34. #34
    Grand Master oldoakknives's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    20,041
    Blog Entries
    1
    Quote Originally Posted by crazyp View Post
    Some watches are just designed to be absolutely ridiculous. These watches almost make you blush in their outrageousness and in many cases so far beyond your reach you may only be fit enough to drool from a distance. I think we need a thread to collate these said watches both new/released as well as your own. To set the standard I introduce you to the MB&F Horological Machine No. 9 'Flow'. Even the name is completely ridiculous! And here is a picture of the watch -



    It is absolutely magnificent. And you can't afford it at $182k odd. However MB&F are a massively approachable brand - if they turn up to Salon QP go and play with their creations, they are lovely people. More information on 'dinkee - https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/mb...ow-introducing

    So now I've set the standard, lets see the 'bonkers' watches that you lust over. If you own a watch that fit the criteria of madness (especially if it costs less than 6 figures....) lets see them!!!!...............
    Although it is a bit bonkers, I just looked down at my watch without moving my arm and found myself looking at exactly the place where the face is on this one! It would actually work because you don't have to rotate your wrist to see the time.
    Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.

  35. #35
    Quote Originally Posted by oldoakknives View Post
    Although it is a bit bonkers, I just looked down at my watch without moving my arm and found myself looking at exactly the place where the face is on this one! It would actually work because you don't have to rotate your wrist to see the time.
    Exactly. It’s a very well designed watch and MB&Fs sit on the wrist extremely well.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  36. #36
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    East Midlands
    Posts
    659
    I think the winner is the Girard Perregaux Jackpot watch. A truly useful complication!

    https://youtu.be/oznropwafnM

  37. #37
    Master tiny73's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Back in Blighty
    Posts
    3,963
    Quote Originally Posted by gladders View Post
    Gorilla produce a funky looking (and relatively affordable) wandering hours watch, that's pretty bonkers:



    (Taken from: https://www.gorillawatches.ch/product/drift-elise/)

    simon
    Now that I like and it’s reasonably priced too... do you know what time it’s showing? And hence where to look? I can read that as 0959 or 1000 looking at either the right or left dial respectively.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by gladders View Post
    Gorilla produce a funky looking (and relatively affordable) wandering hours watch, that's pretty bonkers:



    (Taken from: https://www.gorillawatches.ch/product/drift-elise/)

    simon
    Now that I like and it’s reasonably priced too... do you know what time it’s showing? And hence where to look? I can read that as 0959 or 1000 looking at either the right or left dial respectively.

  38. #38
    Quote Originally Posted by tiny73 View Post
    Now that I like and it’s reasonably priced too... do you know what time it’s showing? And hence where to look? I can read that as 0959 or 1000 looking at either the right or left dial respectively.

    - - - Updated - - -



    Now that I like and it’s reasonably priced too... do you know what time it’s showing? And hence where to look? I can read that as 0959 or 1000 looking at either the right or left dial respectively.
    Very good question. I'm not entirely sure myself!

  39. #39
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Mainly UK
    Posts
    17,281
    Quote Originally Posted by tiny73 View Post
    Now that I like and it’s reasonably priced too... do you know what time it’s showing? And hence where to look? I can read that as 0959 or 1000 looking at either the right or left dial respectively.
    That's down to the angle of the image. If you look at the square-on shot it is 10:00:20 on the left dial, with the right dial showing 9:60:20 as it moves away from the minute track.

  40. #40
    Master tiny73's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Back in Blighty
    Posts
    3,963
    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Curta View Post
    That's down to the angle of the image. If you look at the square-on shot it is 10:00:20 on the left dial, with the right dial showing 9:60:20 as it moves away from the minute track.
    That's what I thought also, 1000 or 0959/60, wonder if that's coincidental or the same with every hour (ie reading the previous hour as XX60?). Either way it's akin the the Urwerk tarantulas but significantly less expensive. I like. Might be tempted although there's no tax in that price if I read it correctly.

  41. #41
    Banned
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Peterborough
    Posts
    2,841
    Blog Entries
    1
    Quote Originally Posted by crazyp View Post
    It brings to mind this recently announced Urwerk. I haven't quite figured out how it works/how you read the time, but looks rather cool again the 'dinkee provides a decent write up - https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/ur...g#&gid=1&pid=2
    If you think that's bonkers you should see their AMC model...

    https://www.urwerk.com/collections/ur-chronometry/amc

    the 'case' is used to set the time


  42. #42
    Master sish101's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    County Durham
    Posts
    4,020
    Which Bond movie is that from?!

    Try explaining that purchase to your significant other.
    Quote Originally Posted by amnesia View Post
    If you think that's bonkers you should see their AMC model...

    https://www.urwerk.com/collections/ur-chronometry/amc

    the 'case' is used to set the time

    Sent through the ether by diddling with radio waves

  43. #43
    Master tiny73's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Back in Blighty
    Posts
    3,963
    Quote Originally Posted by amnesia View Post
    If you think that's bonkers you should see their AMC model...

    https://www.urwerk.com/collections/ur-chronometry/amc

    the 'case' is used to set the time
    My god that thing is amazing. I daren't even look for a price as I suspect its well into 6 figures? Stunning piece of horology (IMHO)

  44. #44
    Banned
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Peterborough
    Posts
    2,841
    Blog Entries
    1
    Quote Originally Posted by tiny73 View Post
    My god that thing is amazing. I daren't even look for a price as I suspect its well into 6 figures? Stunning piece of horology (IMHO)
    Seven.

    $2.7m

  45. #45
    Quote Originally Posted by amnesia View Post
    Seven.

    $2.7m
    Whoa I was thinking maybe half a mil. But for that chunk of change I'm out

    (very cool watch though).

  46. #46
    Master tiny73's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Back in Blighty
    Posts
    3,963
    Quote Originally Posted by crazyp View Post
    Whoa I was thinking maybe half a mil. But for that chunk of change I'm out

    (very cool watch though).
    Well, as only a humble billionaire I can’t really justify that 😂😂😂

    I’ve had urwerks as a saved search in C24 for a long time and wonder whether selling a couple of pieces to get one would be something I’d like to do. I also like the look of the Devon Tread 2 as a more “reasonable” alternative (I’m aware there’s nothing reasonable about the pricing of wrist trinkets...). That gorilla Elise looks interesting enough to take a punt too, certainly a more reasonable version of the urwerk... hmmm 🤔

  47. #47
    Master endo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Scotland
    Posts
    1,259
    I'd love an Urwerk,
    Last year I was a 99% set on dumping a fair few pieces for a UR-210.
    I kinda wish I had just grown a pair and done a cull, even if it meant saying good buy to some nice (and genuinely rare) stuff.


    Had a chat with the Urweark guys, really nice folk and willing to answer questions no matter how dumb.
    Servicing is quite reasonable on them too, given its a 150k watch, not much more than your average AP.

  48. #48
    Quote Originally Posted by endo View Post
    I'd love an Urwerk,
    Last year I was a 99% set on dumping a fair few pieces for a UR-210.
    I kinda wish I had just grown a pair and done a cull, even if it meant saying good buy to some nice (and genuinely rare) stuff.


    Had a chat with the Urweark guys, really nice folk and willing to answer questions no matter how dumb.
    Servicing is quite reasonable on them too, given its a 150k watch, not much more than your average AP.
    Oh man, that would have been epic if you did that!!! I'd be very happy with a 103 - with the prices of Daytona's trending, I'd seriously consider trading it in for an Urwerk.....

  49. #49
    Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Here and there
    Posts
    1,408
    Quote Originally Posted by endo View Post
    I'd love an Urwerk,
    Last year I was a 99% set on dumping a fair few pieces for a UR-210.
    I kinda wish I had just grown a pair and done a cull, even if it meant saying good buy to some nice (and genuinely rare) stuff.


    Had a chat with the Urweark guys, really nice folk and willing to answer questions no matter how dumb.
    Servicing is quite reasonable on them too, given its a 150k watch, not much more than your average AP.
    I have being thinking about selling to finance a 105. Just not the right time and I really need to try one on first !

  50. #50
    Master endo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Scotland
    Posts
    1,259
    Quote Originally Posted by crazyp View Post
    Oh man, that would have been epic if you did that!!! I'd be very happy with a 103 - with the prices of Daytona's trending, I'd seriously consider trading it in for an Urwerk.....
    I still kinda kick myself lol, Even made it down on the train to London with a gameplan in mind of what was going to fund it.
    (not a wasted trip, I bought some shoes, tried on the 3D printed Panerai Tourbillon, and had a sneak peek at some Roger Dubuis, did some touristing)

    It was the sensbile shoes part of me that talked me out of it.
    -would I miss my old watches that'd fund it?
    -how long till i the "hypercar on the wrist" look got boring
    -would it get irritating not having hands?
    -would I even be able to move it on if I got bored, it's a marmite watch, and a lot of money so the market for bonkers watches is fairly limited.



    that said....
    I'd have to agree with you, if Daytona Prices keep climbing up and another Urwerk pops up at the right price I think I'd do it.

    this is tempting me atm, 36k + vat
    https://www.urwerkpreowned.com/colle...d-to-77-pieces

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Do Not Sell My Personal Information