• Connoisseur
    31 Jan 2009, 6:10 a.m.

    Sorry for an imperfect photo --this large advertising poster was captured from a moving bus in Hong Kong.

    It's intriguing to me that such an expensive, limited edition watch is being so publicly advertised. And it's more than interesting that it's been pushed as "the best investment you can make now".

    Regards,
    Michael

    www.iwcforum.com/Advertisements/PRTad.jpg

  • Master
    30 Jan 2009, 11:30 a.m.

    Great Ad Michael...Precious metal watches are>

    better then equities right now. Especially if purchased before last autumn

    BTW: Forgive your bias...I knew you would love owning a Régulateur.
    --
    Cheers from Isobars.

  • Master
    31 Jan 2009, 3:45 a.m.

    i'm sure it all hinges on how you...

    interpret the word investment.
    with luxury brands being the most recent commodity to get hit by the rescission, i'm not sure if any watches will be gaining much capital for a while but as a collectors watch then this is surely one of the finest investments you could make.
    it's also one i'm struggling not to take especially as it is priced so keenly against the mystere.
    stephen

  • Master
    30 Jan 2009, 11:55 a.m.

    Is all about the diference between...

    Use Value and Exchange Value. If you are a watch lover (or a watch junkie as I prefer to call myself) this “investment” –purchase at low price in crisis- will give you a great pleasure (utility in economic terms) compare to the relative small amount of money you spend so it will be a great investment for us, this argument based on use value.

    But if the advertising is trying to tell us that “best investment” is in exchange value terms may be you have to wait a while until the crisis ends and pray for a great demand of this piece and no substitutes to appear in the future.

    In marketing terms, I’m pretty sure that this advertising will call people attention not only to the exclusive Portuguese Tourbillion but to the entire IWC line.

  • Connoisseur
    30 Jan 2009, 12:10 p.m.

    I think it's claiming more...

    I believe there is a subset of society which believes that tangible assets --like valuable gold items-- have intrinsic value, while things like stocks involve at best abstractions, with a value depending on expectations to pay dividends or increase earnings in the future. In a bad market, especially, the argument is that a fine watch, like gold, is "safer".

    The countervaling argument is something like "if you want to make a small fortune with watch collecting, start with a large one". :)

    Regards,
    Michael

  • Master
    30 Jan 2009, 8:10 p.m.

    I like that last one

    It seems that Mr. Branson of Virgin once answered the question "How to become a millionaire" by stating "First you have to become a billionaire, and then you have to start an airline company". I kind of take some consolation by the fact that when buying yet another watch the money is reasonably spent money wise, giving a lot more pleasure than money at the bank.

    Kind regards,
    Paul, wearing exemplary Portuguese Perpetual Calendar

  • Master
    30 Jan 2009, 11:10 a.m.

    Yes, a common idea but so not so persuasive...

    Dear Michael,

    If somebody wants to keep tangible assets as a investment is a better idea to purchase pure gold, others precious metal, precious stones, petroleum barrels, iron existences or any form of physical accumulation without added value. Not to mention that in the currently crisis, a difference with others in the past, this strategy didn’t function well (all these price came down).

    In the case of Portuguese Tourbillion Regulateur, the added value that comes from the master watchmakers work is definitely higher than the cost of the gold and other materials used to construct the watch. What you buy in a piece like that is the history and experience of a great brand, the advantages of mechanical knowledge, hours of fine craft master men work, the good taste and static equilibrium that comes from an artistic design that can only be possible with a huge experience. In other words, when someone buy a watch like that are paying more for intangibles factors than for the precious materials.

    So, they are advertising for an artistic masterpiece and its value depends more of the buyers perception. In this case, the argument of tangible assets do not make sense.

    I think that in watch lovers (well informed buyers) market, IWC made great sales of their more common and economic models just showing the iconic complication watches the brand have made for years.

    Just my two cents.

    Best wishes,
    M

  • Apprentice
    1 Feb 2009, 6:55 a.m.

    1st time here

    hi all, i am feeling a bit undecent to ask about list price of that watch. Its only because i am very interested of get it. Jst that i cannot find any info about it on internet.
    Any opinions how it stands compare to the tourbillon mystere?

    K

  • Master
    31 Jan 2009, 11 p.m.

    Welcome, and prices

    Hi Karim,

    Welcome here, it's a great place to be.

    Prices are not discussed here, and they vary by region, country etc. I hope I do not violate any rules by stating that you will spend significantly less money on this watch than on the Tourbillon Mystère, without stating that it is a cheap watch: I hope this is useful enough. I saw it in real life, and it is stunning.

    Kind regards,
    Paul, wearing Saint Exupéry Chrono

  • Master
    1 Feb 2009, 6:30 p.m.

    Is there a wealth warning on the poster? ...

    In any event, money invested in tourbillons a year or even a month ago will have significantly out-performed bank shares. A Portuguese Regulateur Tourbillon would provide me with signficantly more enjoyment than my Lloyds Bank Group shares.

  • Connoisseur
    2 Feb 2009, 1:40 p.m.

    You can see it all the way from Kowloon.

    HUGE poster. Saw it while here over New Years.