British Horological Institute
Discussion
Anyone know anything about this organisation and its history?
I was just interested because there was a thread on TZ-UK about building a custom watch, starting with a complete refurbish of an old Omega movement (which is something I want to do - but starting with just a cheap fake ETA job with display back, and remodelling the case and then decorating the movement). In that thread was a link to the aforementioned organisation for a PDF regarding lubrication standards, in what appeared to be an area of the website devoted to exam material.
Navigating to the homepage, they appear to be offering a flying tourbillon for £349, in an understated case with the British Horological Institute crest as insignia and little else (other than the tourbillon, of course).
Now this is obviously one of the new Chinese tourbillons, but all other sites I've seen repackaging these movements are either fakes of other brands, or bogus over-branded stuff and sometimes a lot more expensive.
This BHI logoed watch is subtle and very affordable.
The watch apparently celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Institute, but not being a watchmaker I've not heard of them, or whether they are anything other than a bunch of watch nuts. Given there's no way on earth I'm ever going to afford a flying tourbillon from one of the Swiss manufactures unless I win the lottery, this looks like an appealing way to get a complication that I'd happily stare at for hours
What do you all think?
I was just interested because there was a thread on TZ-UK about building a custom watch, starting with a complete refurbish of an old Omega movement (which is something I want to do - but starting with just a cheap fake ETA job with display back, and remodelling the case and then decorating the movement). In that thread was a link to the aforementioned organisation for a PDF regarding lubrication standards, in what appeared to be an area of the website devoted to exam material.
Navigating to the homepage, they appear to be offering a flying tourbillon for £349, in an understated case with the British Horological Institute crest as insignia and little else (other than the tourbillon, of course).
Now this is obviously one of the new Chinese tourbillons, but all other sites I've seen repackaging these movements are either fakes of other brands, or bogus over-branded stuff and sometimes a lot more expensive.
This BHI logoed watch is subtle and very affordable.
The watch apparently celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Institute, but not being a watchmaker I've not heard of them, or whether they are anything other than a bunch of watch nuts. Given there's no way on earth I'm ever going to afford a flying tourbillon from one of the Swiss manufactures unless I win the lottery, this looks like an appealing way to get a complication that I'd happily stare at for hours
What do you all think?
I've a lot of respect for the BHI, but I really dont know what they were thinking of when they commissioned that watch. It reminds me of the Special Limited Edition Great Mallard/Flying Scotsman watches/plates/dolls you see advertised in TV magazines.
ETA: You're probably better asking this at TZ-UK or timezone. Theres bound to be BHI qualified guys hovering around, and enough watch freaks to have seen one in the flesh.
ETA: You're probably better asking this at TZ-UK or timezone. Theres bound to be BHI qualified guys hovering around, and enough watch freaks to have seen one in the flesh.
Edited by glazbagun on Monday 9th June 21:35
glazbagun said:
I've a lot of respect for the BHI, but I really dont know what they were thinking of when they commissioned that watch. It reminds me of the Special Limited Edition Great Mallard/Flying Scotsman watches/plates/dolls you see advertised in TV magazines.
ETA: You're probably better asking this at TZ-UK or timezone. Theres bound to be BHI qualified guys hovering around, and enough watch freaks to have seen one in the flesh.
Hmmm. I know what you mean. I guess they were excited by the opportunity to offer a real tourbillon at an affordable price for their anniversary. Let's be honest here - how many even averagely wealthy people can afford a tourb from one of the famous Swiss manufactures? If you're fascinated in the movement, then sod the snobbishness of it being a Chinese design - it's a real tourb and worth having for that reason alone.ETA: You're probably better asking this at TZ-UK or timezone. Theres bound to be BHI qualified guys hovering around, and enough watch freaks to have seen one in the flesh.
Edited by glazbagun on Monday 9th June 21:35
Especially if they've built the thing so that it's easy to pop the back off and take a good look at how it all works.
As per the dial design - it could be a hell of a lot cheesier - personally I think they've done a good job as, replicas of classic designs aside, it's the best looking dial and case for that Chinese movement I've seen so far (including the Tourous branded ones at higher prices). I just don't think it's quite as tasteless as you imply.
Will have a loiter around TZ UK and Timezone, just thought I'd mention it here because I'm sure a few of us would like a tourb in the collection without needing £60k+ to pay for one.
cyberface said:
As per the dial design - it could be a hell of a lot cheesier - personally I think they've done a good job as, replicas of classic designs aside, it's the best looking dial and case for that Chinese movement I've seen so far (including the Tourous branded ones at higher prices). I just don't think it's quite as tasteless as you imply.
I dont think it looks tasteless, but the TB does look cheap, imo. The screws (yeah, I know I posted about B&R screws - I'm a perfectionist) look like they came from a council house bathroom door lock and the finish on the gold parts is less than good. Saying that though, at £350 It does seem to be a sensible price for possibly a good movement.
I'm also looking into making my own watch using a bought movement and this could fit the bill. I need to develop my skills greatly before I pull apart a TB though!!!
cyberface said:
I think I'm going to start with decorating a simple ETA first and do my own dial, maybe modify a case, etc.Starting my first 'my own' watch with a tourbillon movement as a base would be a tad ambitious, methinks
How cool would a TB movement look in a PVD or titanium case with a carbon fibre dial? history bought up to date!
I'm hoping to be able to source some Kapton foil from one of the Apollo missions to put behind a saphire display back on mine, although originally I was hoping to use a salvaged .321 movement.
The case will be the hardest part by far - I'm thinking I'll need some metalworking lessons and access to a cnc laithe and milling machine.
cyberface said:
Anyone know anything about this organisation and its history?
I was just interested because there was a thread on TZ-UK about building a custom watch, starting with a complete refurbish of an old Omega movement (which is something I want to do - but starting with just a cheap fake ETA job with display back, and remodelling the case and then decorating the movement). In that thread was a link to the aforementioned organisation for a PDF regarding lubrication standards, in what appeared to be an area of the website devoted to exam material.
Navigating to the homepage, they appear to be offering a flying tourbillon for £349, in an understated case with the British Horological Institute crest as insignia and little else (other than the tourbillon, of course).
Now this is obviously one of the new Chinese tourbillons, but all other sites I've seen repackaging these movements are either fakes of other brands, or bogus over-branded stuff and sometimes a lot more expensive.
This BHI logoed watch is subtle and very affordable.
The watch apparently celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Institute, but not being a watchmaker I've not heard of them, or whether they are anything other than a bunch of watch nuts. Given there's no way on earth I'm ever going to afford a flying tourbillon from one of the Swiss manufactures unless I win the lottery, this looks like an appealing way to get a complication that I'd happily stare at for hours
What do you all think?
I say go for it. It is for a good working example of one the ultimate watchmakers complications for the price of a Hugo Boss/Armani etc qtz mass produced watch. Given the prices of 'Manufacture Toubillon', this is an absolute steal, made for the BHI it can't be all bad.... Put a decent strap on and you have a very special watch for peanuts.I was just interested because there was a thread on TZ-UK about building a custom watch, starting with a complete refurbish of an old Omega movement (which is something I want to do - but starting with just a cheap fake ETA job with display back, and remodelling the case and then decorating the movement). In that thread was a link to the aforementioned organisation for a PDF regarding lubrication standards, in what appeared to be an area of the website devoted to exam material.
Navigating to the homepage, they appear to be offering a flying tourbillon for £349, in an understated case with the British Horological Institute crest as insignia and little else (other than the tourbillon, of course).
Now this is obviously one of the new Chinese tourbillons, but all other sites I've seen repackaging these movements are either fakes of other brands, or bogus over-branded stuff and sometimes a lot more expensive.
This BHI logoed watch is subtle and very affordable.
The watch apparently celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Institute, but not being a watchmaker I've not heard of them, or whether they are anything other than a bunch of watch nuts. Given there's no way on earth I'm ever going to afford a flying tourbillon from one of the Swiss manufactures unless I win the lottery, this looks like an appealing way to get a complication that I'd happily stare at for hours
What do you all think?
Got me thinking......
cyberface said:
Hmmm. I know what you mean. I guess they were excited by the opportunity to offer a real tourbillon at an affordable price for their anniversary. Let's be honest here - how many even averagely wealthy people can afford a tourb from one of the famous Swiss manufactures? If you're fascinated in the movement, then sod the snobbishness of it being a Chinese design - it's a real tourb and worth having for that reason alone.
Especially if they've built the thing so that it's easy to pop the back off and take a good look at how it all works.
As per the dial design - it could be a hell of a lot cheesier - personally I think they've done a good job as, replicas of classic designs aside, it's the best looking dial and case for that Chinese movement I've seen so far (including the Tourous branded ones at higher prices). I just don't think it's quite as tasteless as you imply.
Will have a loiter around TZ UK and Timezone, just thought I'd mention it here because I'm sure a few of us would like a tourb in the collection without needing £60k+ to pay for one.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, anyway, and as a watch to modify with a custom dial, it would certainly be more novel than a Seiko divers watch. Especially if they've built the thing so that it's easy to pop the back off and take a good look at how it all works.
As per the dial design - it could be a hell of a lot cheesier - personally I think they've done a good job as, replicas of classic designs aside, it's the best looking dial and case for that Chinese movement I've seen so far (including the Tourous branded ones at higher prices). I just don't think it's quite as tasteless as you imply.
Will have a loiter around TZ UK and Timezone, just thought I'd mention it here because I'm sure a few of us would like a tourb in the collection without needing £60k+ to pay for one.
And you're right about the £/funky movement ratio. I dont really collect watches (in fact I get anxiety pangs at the thought of replacing mine), so I was completely blind to the idea of owning it for the sake of having the complication in your collection. But as a watch to wear, it wouldnt be on my list. Edited by glazbagun on Tuesday 10th June 12:57
I think it's an interesting idea bt poorlu executed.
Where it might hold value (not sure as I don't know how much the Chinese tbs are going for) is as a movement to take apart and have a good look, put it back together again - for any aspiring watch makers/repairers.
You'd certainly not have a fiddle with a Swiss etc...tb!!!
Where it might hold value (not sure as I don't know how much the Chinese tbs are going for) is as a movement to take apart and have a good look, put it back together again - for any aspiring watch makers/repairers.
You'd certainly not have a fiddle with a Swiss etc...tb!!!
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