Throwback Sundays: Six Watch Recommendations for a Rich Man, from Our Archives

“If I were a rich man,
Yubby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dum.
All day long I’d biddy biddy bum.
If I were a wealthy man.
I wouldn’t have to work hard.
Ya ha deedle deedle, bubba bubba deedle deedle dum.
If I were a biddy biddy rich,
Idle-diddle-daidle-daidle man”

– Tevye the Dairyman from the musical “Fiddler on the Roof”

Did the song ring a bell? For some, it probably did. We believe that during some time in our lives, we have dreamed about making a fortune big enough to sustain the sort of lifestyle that we have always wanted.

So, for this week’s Throwback Sundays, we are recommending six timepieces from our archives that we would love to have if we were rich. Well, without further ado, let us start dreaming about the timepieces on our wishlist…

 

De Bethune DB28 Maxichrono

 

 

The first watch that we are drooling over is De Bethune’s DB28 Maxichrono. The DB28 Maxichrono is an intriguing timepiece. We love how different it is from the other chronographs: this timepiece features five hands that are mounted on the center of the dial.

It is amazing how De Bethune manages to accomplish such a technical feat in this particular timepiece. In our review of the DB28 Maxichrono and the DB29 Maxichrono (which features a Tourbillon), we highlighted that this monopusher utilizes three column wheels!. Head over to our review for more technical information.

Amazing watch.  We love the ideas behind the technical execution of the chronograph function, as well as the juxtaposition between the traditional dial design and the modern case structure (especially the movable lugs) of the watch. It is definitely a dream watch, for sure.

 

Patek Philippe World Time

 

 

When it comes to Patek Philippe watches, there is a saying among serious collectors: one should at least own a Patek Philippe timepiece in one point of one’s life. It is an unwritten rule, one which we support.

There are many Patek Philippe watches that are worth a mention, but we particularly love its World Time series. In our opinion, the World Time pieces are designed very beautifully. We love how it is able to seamlessly combine both functionality and aesthetics. On top of that, it is very discreet and elegant. There are not many watches that are able to gel all these attributes together nicely, but Patek Philippe had managed to achieve it time and again.

 

We particularly love the World Time pieces that are finished with a painted enamel dial on the center of the dial. The exquisite enamel painting is ethereal, and it elevates the watch to a whole new dimension. The one that we have featured above is part of the 175th Anniversary collection. More information can be found in this article.

If we do strike gold, this is definitely one of the few watches that we will be eyeing. We simply adore the way this watch looks, and the workmanship that the craftsmen have put into manufacturing it. This is not just a timepiece; it is also an intricate work of art.

 

A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Minute Repeater

 

 

Since its inception in 2007, the A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk had been revered highly by many collectors. It is highly appreciated for its quality, as well as its unique approach to tell time. Within a short span of time, it had become an icon.

The Zeitwerk Minute Repeater is the latest member to join the Zeitwerk family, and it is perhaps one of the most mind-boggling pieces in the collection. One of the key highlights to this timepiece is the decimal minute repeater, in which it is more rarely used as compared to the classical minute repeaters. Another interesting feature is in the operation of the decimal minute repeater, in which it is activated by pressing a button (instead of using a sliding mechanism). More information on this striking timepiece can be found in this article.

The Zeitwerk  is an extraordinary watch for that extraordinary individual, and it is surely one watch we would have on our radar.

 

Jaeger LeCoultre Gyrotourbillon

 

 

The Gyrotourbillon is a series of watches from Jaeger LeCoultre to challenge the realms of watchmaking: it was one of the first watches to have begin the trend of multi axis tourbillons. There are three series in the collection to date, and they are all equally amazing in their own ways.

We have done some Watchscapes on both the Gyrotourbillon 1 and Gyrotourbillon 2, and they are all a sight to behold! The Gyro 1, as seen on the picture above, is packed with a chock-full of complications. It includes a perpetual calendar, a retrograde date display, Equation of Time, a power reserve indicator, as well as a double-axis tourbillon.

 

 

The Gyrotourbillon 2 houses the gyrotourbillon movement in a Reverso case. Although it does not feature as many complications as the Gyro 1, but the Gyro 2 is quite extraordinary. One interesting feature is the cylinder-shaped balance-spring with end curves. Originally reserved for marine chronometers and large pocket watches, and the cylindrical hairspring provides a much better accuracy and precision as compared to a flat spring balance.

The Gyrotoubillon series (including a Gyrotoubillon 3) is extraordinary. It represents the art of watchmaking, in terms of finishing and technicalities. Of course both the Gyro 1 and 2 are completely sold out…but if one were a rich man, we are sure one can muster the resources to find one.

 

Vianney Halter Deep Space

 

 

When it comes to watchmakers, Vianney Halter is one of the personalities that we highly admire. His works, ranging from the Vianney Halter Classic to the Antiqua, are icons in the world of independent watchmaking. Vianney’s latest creation, the Deep Space, is no exception.

The watch, as its name suggests, was inspired by both sci-fi and astronomy. It features a drivetrain that is suspended in the middle of the timepiece. The drivetrain, interestingly, completes a revolution around the watch in 30 minutes. In the middle of the drivetrain lies a 6 minute tourbillon and within that a 40-second tourbillon, in which its represents a dissociation with the concept of time on earth and that of deep space. We have done some Watchscapes on this timepiece here and here (extreme micros), and we thought that pictures would do more justice than mere words.

The Deep Space, like many watches that we have featured, is conversational. We love how the entire watch looks like a UFO from a sci-fi flick. This watch is still available from Vianney Halter dealers worldwide (non limited edition), get one while you can…or in your dreams.

 

Greubel Forsey GMT

 

 

If one has been following the news in the world of extreme haute horlogerie recently, then Greubel Forsey should be familiar. In recent years, its recognition had proliferated exponentially, thanks to the exposure that many collectors have given it. It is actually not surprising, considering the fact that they are one of the top watchmakers in the industry.

In our article, Interrogate your Watchmaker, we discovered one of the reason behind Greubel Forsey’s success is its attention to details. The watches of Greubel Forsey are finished to the highest quality, and almost all the components in the watch are made in-house! That, in our opinion, is absolutely impressive. Not many watchmakers can boast that, and that includes many big-names in the industry.

One of our favorite pieces is the Greubel Forsey GMT. The GMT is perhaps one of the most recognized timepieces from them, partially due to the conspicuous 3-D globe at the 7 o’clock position of the watch. The quality of finishing on this timepiece, just like the other Greubel Forsey pieces, is of the highest quality. The watch offers a staggering visual presence and impact. Amazing work.

Owning a Greubel Forsey is probably on the wishlist of many, for its watches are probably second to none. It certainly made it to ours.

 

Afterthoughts

Well, this concludes our Throwback Sunday. It was an eye-opener, as we started to do this article. We have been exposed to many incredible mindblowing timepieces in our line of work. (Yeah, its tough work, but someone’s gotta do it).

If there is one consolation, it would be that many of them are attainable if one is able to make a lot of money. The question is: how? Well, we don’t really know. But one thing is for sure: you can start by stop dreaming and start generating more ideas to make money!

 

Editor’s note:

Writing this article have forced the writer to examine what his innermost desires in horology, and what watches excite and what watches don’t. It is not about the huge price tag, though all the pieces recommended here are not inexpensive. But a rare combination of technical savoir faire with a design and presence that screams desirability, a certain je ne sais quoi if you will. Certainly we have only begun to touch the tip of the iceberg, and we are considering posing this question for further explorations to our other writers to see what they pick. Let us know in the comments below if you wish to see this.