Horological Meandering

SJX
[Purist]
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A peek into the mind of a tourbillon collector

I posted images of a quartet of tourbillons some weeks ago. The four watches – a Jaeger-LeCoultre Gyrotourbillon 1 in platinum, Richard Mille RM002 Ti, FP Journe Tourbillon Souverain Boutique Edition in titanium and Patek Philippe Ref. 5101 Ten Days Tourbillon – belong to collector.

The owner of this quartet is a male collector in his early thirties based in South-East Asia. Married with two young children, he owns a retail business. Aside from watches cars are a minor passion. His garage has a Porsche 911 Turbo and a Range Rover Supercharged.

SJX: Why tourbillons?

Owner: For a tourbillon to work perfectly, its components need work to perfect harmony. Especially for my tourbillons, which are sort of special tourbillons. And I like being able to see this on a daily basis. Except for the Patek of course.

Business lacks the regularity of a good tourbillon. Sometimes it skips a beat! (laughs) In a way these watches give me the inspiration I need.  Retail is very competitive. All the travel, buying and meetings wear me down. It helps me having something that runs regularly on my wrist. 

SJX: Which is your favourite?

Owner: Either the Gyrotourbillon and the Patek. The JLC because it has complications rarely seen in one watch. While the Patek looks good and is subtle. (Editor’s note: The JLC Gyrotourbillon comprises multi-axis tourbilon, equation of time and perpetual calendar.)

SJX: As a tourbillon collector do you think they have been devalued by oversupply?

Owner: Somewhat, although I don't let that affect my liking for them. This is like what Porsche had done. I thought they lost a bit of credibility when they released the Cayenne and now the Panamera. A four door Porsche is too much of a deviation from what attracted me to the brand in the first place. But that doesn’t affect the intrinsic qualities or performance of the 911.

SJX: What tourbillon do you hope to add to your collection?

Owner: A Greubel-Forsey. I really like the Invention Pieces, which are amazing, both in terms of movement and design. The only thing stopping me is the very high prices.

SJX: Can you tell us about the rest of your collection?

Owner: I actually have few watches. I own a few vintage Rolex and a Reverso, while my wife has a couple of watches. Rolex, Chanel, that sort. My favourite is my Double Red Sea-Dweller. Wearing it on a NATO strap is really fun. But tourbillons are the only complications I own.

SJX: Your collection is heavily weighted in favour of tourbillons. Some of the tourbillons you have cost as much as perpetual calendars, minute repeaters. Do you see yourself buying other complications?

Owner: Yes. I’m actually considering seriously a Patek 5016 [minute repeater, perpetual calendar and tourbillon] before they get discontinued. But like the Greubel-Forsey it’s in a totally different price range from what I have. But that has a tourbillon too, so I guess I really can’t get away from tourbillons!

SJX: Thank you for your time.

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