Chinese Flying Tourbillon Movements for under $40

[crystalcranium]

Anyone know why orfrei.com can sell the Chinese flying tourbillon movement for an average retail of $35 but when our watch cloning friends drop these movements in a replica watch they charge anywhere from $500 to $1200 for the product? Is it simply because we will pay that much? I used to think buying one of these watches was a risk because no one could repair them due to their high quality and unique manufacture. Now I see they are in the same category as the A21j movements, not worth the repair costs and economically replaceable. Did I get ripped off spending $550 on one of these? Looks like I did

http://www.ofrei.com/page1119.html

Notice movements F3211 and F8131

CC

[FxrAndy]

They are not torbillons just new open balance types

[crystalcranium]

They looked suspiciously like the Flying Tourbillons sold by our dealers

[gran]

Anyone know why orfrei.com can sell the Chinese flying tourbillon movement for an average retail of $35 but when our watch cloning friends drop these movements in a replica watch they charge anywhere from $500 to $1200 for the product? Is it simply because we will pay that much? I used to think buying one of these watches was a risk because no one could repair them due to their high quality and unique manufacture. Now I see they are in the same category as the A21j movements, not worth the repair costs and economically replaceable. Did I get ripped off spending $550 on one of these? Looks like I did

http://www.ofrei.com/page1119.html

Notice movements F3211 and F8131

CC

Please show us pictures of your $550 tourbillion

BTW who did you buy it from?

[crystalcranium]

Sorry bad link...it's BR00111

http://www.perfect-hour.com/br00111-jubilee-tourbillon-ssle-white-flying-tourbillon-p-7853.html

[gran]

Sorry bad link...it's BR00111

http://www.perfect-hour.com/br00111-jubilee-tourbillon-ssle-white-flying-tourbillon-p-7853.html

yours look just fine crystalcranium

[Jkay]

Unless I am missing something important, the movements you link to on Ofrei are simply "Open heart" style. Nothing even CLOSE to a tourbillion.

It's just a normal balance wheel which you can see thru the dial of a watch.

[crystalcranium]

It was this movement that they looked similar to

http://www.perfect-hour.com/vc10032-malte-tourbillon-white-dial-real-tourbillon-pi-635.html?image=3

[slickdick]

Both Joshes links show true tourbillon movements, now there is some disccussion on wheter it is a true 'flying' tourby or not. But these cannot be compared to the 'open heart' visible balance wheel type of movements offered by offrei or cousins.

There are quite a few more expansive chinese made movements one of them is a minute repeater, i would love to see a nice rep with that movement. Both offrei and cousins aswel as other suppliers seem to carry only the common more affordable movements.

Edited April 8, 2010 by slickdick

[mactower]

Love to see a review if someone picks up one of these! I'm definitely interested in these type of complications.

[crystalcranium]

Both Joshes links show true tourbillon movements, now there is some disccussion on wheter it is a true 'flying' tourby or not. But these cannot be compared to the 'open heart' visible balance wheel type of movements offered by offrei or cousins.

There are quite a few more expansive chinese made movements one of them is a minute repeater, i would love to see a nice rep with that movement. Both offrei and cousins aswel as other suppliers seem to carry only the common more affordable movements.

I got a crash education in Chinese tourbillons today. It looks like my watch has a Liaonong 5010 tourbillon which is certainly a different movement than the ofrei calibers. Good to see it is a well reviewed movement although the Sea-Gul ST8000 flying duck has a longer service history. I cant wait to get this watch. The Youtube videos of Chinese tourbis are amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNCzaU3yfpo&feature=fvw