Beautiful $220,000 watch -- pray for a cheap version!

By Cory Doctorow at 1:19 pm Saturday, Jan 28

This $220,000 watch comes with a lot of copy explaining to you why it's worth $220,000. I don't think it's worth $220,000, but what do I know about $220,000 watches? I hope someone releases a cheapie lookalike; something that slobs like me might buy for $50-200, even if it's not so slick that it will cannibalize the $220,000 crowd.

This really spectacular architecture seems to be absolutely original. The mechanical design of the Cabestan, including its tourbillon, is totally transversal. The indications (hour, minute, seconds, and power reserve) appear on the cylinders located at the four "corners" of the watch.

Starting from the lower left, we find the barrel, which transmits its driving power to the movement by the intermediary of a chain. This chain is connected to a second cylinder, at the upper left, made up of one part of a fusee (placed horizontally as opposed to the traditional fusees that are always vertical), and the other of the cylindrical power reserve indicator (a total of 72 hours).

Link (via Ohgizmo)