Akribos Mechanical Tourbillon AM/PM (Moonphase Design) Watch - Skeletonized Face with Automatic Dual-time Dial - Limited Edition Genuine Croco-Embossed Calfskin Leather Band - AK493

I decided to use and examine the watch for six full days before writing my review. This thing is built like a dreadnought--as in battleship. The case is half an inch (13mm) thick, and the watch will develop the bicep on the arm wearing it. But I can use the exercise. YMMV.I consider the timekeeping quite good for an off-the-shelf mechanical movement; in six full days it has gained only four minutes, but I didn't buy it for radio-controlled accuracy. As a person with a half-century-long fascination with odd and unusual mechanical mechanisms, a watch with a true tourbillon movement is well fit to join my 3-cylinder SAAB, 6-cylinder Benelli motorcycle, Citroen 2-CV, and mechanical "jump hour" digital readout Benrus, etc., collection.Originally invented a century or more ago to even out the accuracy of pocket watches, which were carried vertically but mostly viewed horizontally, the tourbillon went largely extinct due to advances in conventional spring-wound movements, and the coming of wristwatches, which are continually changing position when in use. A true tourbillon is not the same as those watches with a window cut out on the dial to view a standard balance wheel movement and called a tourbillon today by merchandisers. The balance wheel and escapement of a true tourbillon rotate 360 degrees a minute, something that requires a good deal more energy than a self-winding rotor can provide, hence the need to wind up the heavy mainspring once a day. But the visual result is mesmerizing, and I find myself going into an almost meditative state watching it in action.A widely distributed catalog offering cubic zirconium "gems" and similar trumpery puts what is surely this same mechanical movement in a garish "gift watch" case and strap, and charges $1700 for it. I chose the Akribos XXIV and saved $1100, making this an enormous bargain to anyone wanting a true tourbillon watch at a non-absurd price.As to weaknesses, the watch is thick and heavy, and may be a little too much for some buyers, though it's fine for me. Also, because the dial and hands/hour markers don't contrast much, I find the dial somewhat difficult to read by my 73-YO eyes in dim light, but that seems to be the nature of many "dress watch" styled watches. I had not encountered this exact type of wrist clasp before, so was flummoxed until I took it to my watchmaker (Classic, here in Austin) who showed me how the strap worked. Ideally, the instructions that came with the watch should have included such information.Were it not for these mild caveats, I would have given the Akribos XXIV five stars.

I have a pretty extensive watch collection with watches in nearly every price category from super luxury (Gold Rolex Daytona 116514, Patek Philippe Calatrava and 20+ watches that retail for over 5k) all the way down to novelty type watches (Sturhling, Sea Gull, etc). The point is I have a pretty good eye for quality timepieces. I had been considering the new Tag Heuer T02 Tourbillon which retails for around 20k. I have almost every complication in my collection except a Tourbillon and Minute Repeater and have wanted a Tourbillon for quite some time. I saw this on Amazon and looked at the reviews and read some of the watch forums and decided to give it a shot. I really wanted to see if I would enjoy having a Tourbillon before I dropped 20k on the Tag (or 60k for my other choice Ulysse Nardin Freak). I had very low expectations for this watch and figured I would probably end up returning it. Well I learned 2 lessons- First, I know I will not drop a lot of $ now for a Tourbillon and Second, that I don't need to drop a lot of $ for one because this watch is absolutely beautiful and has fulfilled my desire to own a Tourbillon and for less than 5% of the cost of a Swiss Made Tourbillon. The fit and finish is really amazing on this watch. I have yet to wear it out to gauge reaction but I can almost guarantee this watch will get more attention than my watches that cost $30k+. The first thing you will notice is the weight, it is a heavy watch but in a good way- u can feel how solid it is the moment you hold it in your hand. Only complaint I had was the band- the quality was fine but the color was a hideous infant diarrhea color. No big deal- ordered 2 replacement bands (black and dark burgundy) for under $60 and will swap them out. Very beautiful and well made watch and on the wrist it looks like a very expensive high end Swiss watch. BTW, the pics do NOT do this watch justice- I know it is cliché but this watch is so much better in person.

Your browser does not support HTML5 video.  Received this yesterday and once it warmed up I put it on the timegrapher. For a mechanical watch this is keeping good time. It gains 11-20 seconds a day depending on which position it is measured in. And the beat error is just 0.2 to 0.3 milliseconds, which is also good. I'm giving it four stars until I see how it holds up to daily use for a few weeks.Appearance wise, the watch is beautiful. I went with the plain stainless steel version and put a plain leather watchband on it. While it is large and heavy, it's not a large as some of the other mechanical / automatic watches in my collection. While the watch can be a tad difficult to read when the hands are actually on top of the tourbillon, that is more than made up for (in my view) by the beauty of the tourbillon mechanism itself.A note on setting the dual time dial at the 9 o'clock position on the watch face. To set the dual time you have to turn the CROWN counter clockwise (which means the watch hands are moving forward). Once the dual time is set correctly, you have to turn the CROWN clockwise (turning the hands backwards in time) to set the actual time on the primary watch setting. It's a bit counter intuitive but works well once you figure it out.You can see that I switched out the watch band with a plain brown 22mm watch strap from Archer. I did this not because it was in any way faulty; the band that came with the watch was nice enough. However, I'm just not a fan of faux alligator leather.I'd definitely buy one again (so far) but will update this review after I've had it for a few weeks.

Un verdadero tourbillon, diseño elegante y de muchísima clase, un precio realmente accesible para esta calidad y tipo de maquinaria, si hubiera en otros colores compraría mas sin dudarlo.

Can't believe can get a limited edition elegant classy watch for a great priceIt was worth every penny. Love the design