The new Portuguese Tourbillon Handwound

Along with the new Portuguese Chronograph Classic 3904, the new Portuguese Tourbillon Handwound 5463 is presented. Being in quite a different league on several aspects it is understandable that this 5463 doesn't get the attention it deserves: a lot of forum members may consider the Chrono as a next watch, this will not be true for the tourbillon.

I myself have one question, as I am confused: I thought there already was this tourbillon watch, first presented as a régulateur, and later as a "normal" watch. So, what is new about it? It looks quite nice to me. One additional question: why is the seconds hand there, where the tourbillon could have served for this purpose, as it makes a full turn in 60 seconds?

Kind regards,
Paul

Doesn't anybody have a clue about the difference between this new 546301 or 02, and the 544705 that was in the catalogue for the past three years? To me they seem identical, except for the dial colour and the name F.A. Jones on the dial. But those small differences most of the time are not enough for a new four digit reference number (5447 to 5463).

Kind regards,
Paul

Well, they are close to identical, with the same movement (c. 98900). The ref 5447 was, I thought, a limited edition of 500 pieces, but the new model is unlimited and of course has some dial changes. However, what I can't tell is the case: I found a .1mm difference in width in different source materials. It might be that the case/crystal have very slight differences, but they're not a lot different.

You also asked "why a seconds hand" since it's a minute tourbillon. I find my tourbillon difficult to read if one is counting seconds, but admittedly it's unnecessary. Then again, as a Pure Classic guy, seconds may be unnecessary or at least not material for most of us who aren't into racing.

Thank you, Michael, I overlooked the fact that the 5447 was a limited edition. Nice to see that such a watch can be a regular model. Although I did not count, this is the second watch that becomes regular in a fairly short period of time, the other one being the Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar.

Kind regards,
Paul

I love the Tourbillon Hand Wound. It is a watch that exemplifies the best of complications - the Tourbillon - and at the same time is very simple and strong. Now that this "new" unlimited version has been produced, I am indeed contemplating on purchasing one of the few trully brilliant and classical Tourbillon watches in the market - in this price range that is. In my mind there are only two tourbillon watches that fit in this very small category: The Tourbillon Hand Wound from IWC and the Master Tourbillon from Jaeger Le Coultre. Both incredible, but very different with one another.

Having said all that, I must point out the only thing that doesn't fit right. Why on earth do you produce a "new" watch, which is actually almost identical with a "limited edition" of 500 watch (too much already for a limited edition) and, at the same time, betray all those who purchased the limited edition because it was a limited edition?!

This argument of betrayal was also presented some years ago when a regular ceramic Pilot's chrono was presented after a limited edition. The regular version was a bit bigger than the limited edition, but even so, there was some outrage, at least on the German forum. It seems that some restraint kept a regular Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar from us for several years because there were only limited edition Big Pilot Perpetual Calendars until then.

I don't know whether the owners of the limited edition watches really felt betrayed, or that this argument was presented for arguments sake by those that don't own such a watch. To me there is no problem if there are some differences between the limited and regular editions. I don't like the idea of a perfect watch not being produced because of the hostage limited edition. For those being offended: grow up, life is tough, there are more important issues than launching a desired watch that looks a bit like a previous and discontinued limited edition. I applaude the opportunity for the others to aquire a great watch, like for instance a Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar.

Kind regards,
Paul