Gadgets Mania

Even though it commands a cool $400K, the Cabestan Winch Tourbillon Vertical Watch may not be considered a novelty, but it is very much worth considering.  Stop laughing, we all can dream!  Besides, $400K will buy the top of the line version; there is a base version available for approximately $275K!

Okay fine, the lever to adjust the time does somewhat resemble the crank of a louver, but when DMC Group’s Jean-Francois Ruchonnet created this piece, it is clear he was aiming for agile synchronization coupled with an incomparably unique design.  And, he nailed it!  

The Cabestan Winch Tourbillon Vertical Watch has 1,352 parts that move in precise unison.  Remember the previously mentioned crank?  Well, the crank is actually a winch.  The winch turns a 450-link chain which is wrapped around nickel barrels that display the time.  There is an additional winch hidden in the buckle of the watch that sets the many parts in motion.   The watch uses a capstan to rotate the chain and hence adjust the time.  The vertical tourbillon, of course, ensures precision.

The Cabestan Winch Tourbillon Vertical Watch is made as watches were originally made—one at a time, by hand, under a microscope with great attention to detail.  Imagine 1,352 very small parts being connected by hand! It is no wonder that the company produces only four of these watches per month!

Just in case one might be having difficulties justifying a hefty $400K price tag, take note that the watch is available encased in platinum, yellow gold, rose gold or black titanium; and, the watch can also be adorned with diamonds. Now, if at this point you are still considering all the things you could buy with $400k, there is an excellent chance that you may want to do like the rest of us and order yours in your dreams.  Hmm, that black titanium looks incredible—minus the diamonds please.

Link to the Cabestan official website:  http://www.cabestan-watches.ch/