AESOP Tourbillon Review - The Cheapest (Chinese) tourbillon on AliExpress!

For the longest time I've wanted a Tourbillon, they just looked like so much fun to stare at!
On top of that there are some conceptions of Chinese watches that aren't great and I think this watch kind of busts some of them. It's pretty well made, it's very pretty, and it has a complicated complication for an insane price, on top of all of that the design appears to be an original one, not a homage or anything that I know of.
These things are such insane value it's difficult to not buy one!
I can confirm now that I have one, it is indeed very fun to just stare into and lose track of time!
For anyone who want's to get one there is a link below on AliExpress.
www.aliexpress.com/item/10050...
I'd probably wait till a sale comes on because now they are back up a bit and it can be had for 280ish USD on one of the big sales or around 300USD on a smaller one.
The description for a tourbillon was one I got from wiki:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourbillon

[@erizzle67]

As a watch person with very little money, I really appreciate the very few serious looks and reviews of Chinese watches. Manny snob channels like to find intentionally ridiculous watches and pick them apart. Yay, clever and hilarious. Meanwhile, I’m trying to get interesting and decent quality watches for not a lot of money. So thank you for a serious video!

[@joeblackwolf17]

10000000 likes for this comment right here!! Yes it’s great for watch snobs to critique affordable watches while telling us AP and Patek are it….well I don’t have 40K in hand just to buy these watches…. 😂 seriously

[@stevewilkinson7200]

Really enjoyed the review Chris, I have liked and subscribed. Keep up the good work!

[@christicks5843]

Thanks a lot!

[@GyikaCPFC]

What a fantastic video! You nailed it 100% Chris! A thoughtful, articulate insight into a beautiful timepiece. Keep up the good work.

[@christicks5843]

Thanks!

[@jaywatay]

Great review! Thank you for sharing.

[@TheFrog767]

If it works well great it's a looker for sure and yes the movement of these is the reason why we like tourbillons it's like looking at a real time machine just like the original move the time machine.👏👏👏🥂

[@TheSupertecnology]

I got a watch with the same exact movement, but on a Giv 1986 model 88. Didn't find any more information but I agree it seems to be some sort of combination between PTS 3300 and Seagull flying tourbillon (can't recall the caliber number at the moment). Sure enough, I also saw the very same corner cutting but less noticeable, perhaps because it is a somewhat newer model and more pieces were made; you know, economics of scale. Mine does look nice under the macro lens though, so I think they switched manufacturer at some point. That movement seems to be deprecated and has since been substituted for the actual PTS Resources 3300. Nowadays there are very similar movements but with a balanced escape wheel.

[@JasonTheWatchGuy]

I had the same one in for review. Love this watch and it's a keeper in my collection!

[@christicks5843]

It is very epic! I actually ended up trading mine. Someone offered an exceptional trade. I will probably buy another tourbillon soon though.

[@David-os2fb]

Still running ok after 3 years, 2mo. I wear it once every ~2 weeks with a full wind. I love the dial. I think I would wear it more if the watch was smaller.

[@michaelprocaccia]

Thank you for sharing! Interesting piece 🤔

[@christicks5843]

Your welcome! Thanks for the comment! If you got any questions bout it feel free to ask I'll try to answer!

[@mdemian1968]

Subscribed sir. Nice video!

[@johnfelstead1213]

Thanks for showing us your watch , I like it & what one .

[@watchluster]

Thanks for the review Chris! Was very informative. Though the transition effect that you have going on was a bit confusing as I thought the dial was a waffle pattern~ lol thought I was looking at a PRX.

[@christicks5843]

Haha, I'll keep that in mind editing the next one, the transition options for the software I'm using are a bit limited but I might make a change soon and give some others a go.

[@rubbernickel]

I ordered one your right at the price pont you cant go wrong

[@abelpolanco]

I want to know more , so I had to Subscribe ! 👍🏼

[@adelessa3434]

Good review

[@galja6889]

Very nice ! Clearto the point and very informative.

[@madsak55]

Great stuff man!

[@xavierbarron3601]

Acosumbo recibir valor por mi dinero, y creo que es una excelente opción por poco dinero, consideraré adquirírlo. Saludos.

[@SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands]

The black one with no stars. and simply "Tourbillon" as brand name, (also by Aesop) , and the nice open skeleton backside is the best looking one, I want it not as a wrist watch, but as a pocket watch, in a silver or gilded case :) In a pocket watch the Tourbillon actually makes sense even..

[@scottmacmillan9436]

I have the "Tourbillon" as brand name watch as well. It is a very clean watch with gorgeous hand-wind workings seen through the display case. I think its the one to go for.

[@leonwelch9057]

I would buy one!

[@aji8harrison]

I got for $220 on Aliexpress black Friday! Very Cool!

[@christicks5843]

Awesome! Hope you are enjoying it!

[@Vroomerz]

I've been eyeing the Sugess Tourbillon Master SU8230STRA with the Seagull ST8230 movement.

[@christicks5843]

Nice I've been looking at that too, I really want that to be my next one! It's a compelling choice that looks like a pretty good step up when it comes to build compared to the AESOP and I've generally really liked other seagull movements. We'll see, maybe next 11.11 sale!

[@jerstolp1]

I do like it... The dial is very nice I like everything except the black leather strap

[@christicks5843]

Yeah, the strap isn't the best, luckily its easy enough to swap!

[@marcellowoodford4048]

Have you Ever considered going in 'fancy-dress' as "the Joker!" Your chops are Perfik!

[@Vidmr2407]

Running well at the 1.5 year point, but had to remove the case back and blow some metal shavings off the glass. i’m not sure where they came from and can’t see any deterioration of the gears or anything with 10x loop.

[@christicks5843]

That sounds pretty good! Although the metal shavings is a bit concerning, so far I haven't noticed anything of the sort on my copy yet.

[@UNSCPILOT]

May be "Manufacturing leftovers" that didn't get properly cleaned out, still, if it's still working ok over a year later it's probably fine, I'd just open it up day one and use an air duster to clean it out to be safe

[@maddad3038]

Great review! Do you happen to know what width the strap tapers down to at the deployment clasp? I’m thinking of keeping the clasp but replacing the strap. Thanks :)

[@christopherchang4167]

Thanks! Yup just measured the strap tapers down to about 18.25mm!

[@free-4-1]

Thanks

[@bills1654]

I have the Real Tourbillon Skeleton Movement Watch Looks great front and back

[@brianthwaites2397]

I bought one on Black Friday for £185 delivered it is on the way from China as I write this. I am really looking forward to receiving it.

[@christopherchang4167]

That's awesome! I repurchased one, I am hoping to have it by next week. I ended up with the rose gold version! Which did you get?

[@brianthwaites2397]

@@christopherchang4167 I got the yellow gold version, for some reason rose gold doesn't work for me. It arrived in 11 days the watch checker app tells +- 1sec/day 0.4ms beat error average over 5 positions.

[@kfkwAL7]

Where did you get it did you have to pay import duty

[@brianthwaites2397]

@@kfkwAL7 Ali Express and only Vat which was charged at the time of purchase no further duty to pay (UK)

[@Ohne_Silikone]

Maybe someone else can chime in, because I am not certain. I understood that notwithstanding the theory a tourbillon in reality doesn’t have a big effect on accuracy. It certainly looks nice and has a profound effect on ones wallet though.

[@christicks5843]

In the modern Chinese Tourbillon the accuracy isn't as big a deal as much as it is just how pretty it is. I think it more speaks to the progress made by conventional watch movements. Now a days positional accuracy is pretty good even in budget watches thus the need for Tourbillons to counter positional error is lower although I'm sure more expensive Tourbillons can be made more accurate than conventional ones especially when considering all positions of adjustments.

[@electronicengineer]

@@christicks5843 Thank You Chris, for creating this (IMHO) perfect, clear, and concise review of your beautiful Tourbillion watch. I absolutely love the dial. Your Flying Tourbillion watch looks amazing! I have lusted after a real flying tourbillion watch for well over a decade now, once I learned what sets the tourbillion apart from other mechanical escapement watches. As you probably know Chris, there are a lot of watches being offered for sale as "Tourbillion", but they are just "open heart" style, visible balance wheel movements, not real flying tourbillion movements. Over the last ten years, or so, I have done a lot of studying on the Flying Tourbillion escapement and in so doing, I found that the concensus mostly agrees that the Tourbillion escapement was developed by Louis Abraham Breguet for use in pocket watches. According to the numerous and various articles that I read, he invented the Tourbillion escapement to counter the positional errors that affected Pocket Watches, as the pocket watch would usually be kept inside one's pocket and the balance wheel was always fighting against gravity in the pocket (vertical) position. So it is my understanding that Louis A. Breguet originally intended the Flying Tourbillion for pocket watches, simply to increase their accuracy while being kept in a pocket. Finally Chris, it became clear to me that the Flying Toubillion escapement design is not necessarilly useful in today's wrist watches, being applied to a regular wrist watch, but the design continues into today's watches for the very reason you wanted a Flying Tourbillion watch, it is amazing to behold and to observe the mesmerizing action displayed by a real Flying Tourbillion watch. I am currently saving up to do the same as you have Chris, and buy myself a real Flying Tourbillion watch. I can't wait to buy one for myself. I also find the action of this type of escapement (Flying Tourbillion) amazing to observe/look at! Thank You once again for sharing your beautiful watch with us sir. I appreciate your non-biased review very much! Fred

[@cajetandabre4489]

Watch making is miracles

[@haruruben]

I like to watch the mechanism

[@Andrei2000PC]

Smart man

[@jasonmckee8145]

Thanks for the review. Does the watch still work?

[@christicks5843]

I had to reset the setting lever but it is still running!

[@Vidmr2407]

hello again. have you tried one with an off center (non -carousel) ?

[@christicks5843]

Good day! Unfortunately not yet but I am looking at getting one! Cheers

[@domdom7973]

The dial is made of gold stone which give it that starry star look great review tho.

[@ahedalubooch5591]

Can you gave the name of your shop in aliexprees

[@douglasskinner]

Somewhere you mentioned making your own dial. I don't make dials but I try to restore them. Do you do that?

[@christicks5843]

Good day, I have done some very light restorations but I generally try to limit it to cleaning with a wet Q tip but nothing more than that yet.

[@douglasskinner]

@@christicks5843 Me too but I'm trying to learn other techniques by which one can get rid of dirt and corrosion.

[@joemyers9893]

Lovely tourbillon watch,what is strap width?

[@christicks5843]

Good day, it is a 22mm strap width!

[@joemyers9893]

@@christicks5843 fancy the watch but that strap will have to be changed

[@oliviermertens9249]

Hi do you know wath's ref of caliber for this mouvement?

[@christicks5843]

I had originally thought PTS 3xxx series but I maybe wrong. There are quite a few little known tourbillon calibers.

[@its_ruhan]

What is the lug to lug length?

[@christicks5843]

Good day! Ah I forgot to measure it. I actually traded the watch a bit ago so I cant check! Sorry!

[@nah3826]

Idk much about watches but im finna get into it, does these type of watches need batteries?

[@christicks5843]

Good day, nah these watches will run by winding up the watch. (Basically turn the crown to wind a spring).

[@WTF3585]

what is a "singe bridge construction" and what is it opposed to ?

[@christicks5843]

The watch appears to be made by sandwiching all the components between just 2 prices of metal. Normally there is 1 main peice that's usually the one on the dial side and the otherwise use multiple smaller peices split by function, like the balance gets one, mainspring, etc, it helps make repairs and reassembly easier.

[@WTF3585]

@@christicks5843 I see... thank you very much !

[@user-rm6gq3ph3d]

Hi Chris, How does the watch server you after all this time.

[@christicks5843]

Good day, I don't wear it that much anymore but when I do it is still keeping good time!

[@user-rm6gq3ph3d]

Thank you kindly@@christicks5843

[@FaysalSpirit]

Nice watch, but is it a mecanic manual or automatic movement?

[@christicks5843]

This one is a mechanical manual movement!

[@FaysalSpirit]

@@christicks5843 thank u, and is there any other beautiful tourbillion Chinese watch automatic movement?

[@christicks5843]

@@FaysalSpirit yup! This one is an automatic! a.aliexpress.com/_mrYCRU2

[@FaysalSpirit]

@@christicks5843 thank u again, she is so beautiful and I like it but she is few expensive for my budget. I will think about it, thanks for ur videos too

[@Aerozona23]

One year later hows it holding up?

[@christicks5843]

I haven't worn it as much as intended but the watch is holding up pretty well. I've taken it out on while on my road bike to and from work so it's getting a bit of bumps :)! So yeah I can't complain!

[@HJuice23]

You’ve got to take a look at Zeroo time watches

[@christicks5843]

I just looked em up! They are pretty neat but personally not my style!

[@somebodyoncetoldme8636]

he reminds me of the cart titan

[@indiakilo6684]

Hey, Is Batman's arch enemy Joker your brother from another mother??? Thanks for your vid review. Appreciated!

[@BabyJesus66]

🤣😂

[@ronaldchapman2806]

My thoughts entirely. All you need is the clown make up. I think Batman should be informed, as I suspect it is a dastardly plot to control time.

[@putnamehereholdmadoodle]

How loud is it? Does the noise any you?

[@christicks5843]

It is a fairly loud watch in a quiet room I can notice it immediately.

[@TerryBollea1]

Do they make flying versions?

[@christopherchang4167]

They may. I noticed they had changed the movement on some versions there might be one that is a flying one but I haven't looked in a while.

[@octavianhd]

The complication looks more like a Carrousell?

[@christicks5843]

While the appearance is more Carrousel it is a tourbillion. The transmission of power to the rotating cage and balance all transfer through 1 gear (seen through the case back) where the Carrousel design has 2 power transfers happening where the cage is if I'm getting the concept right.

[@lorenzoellenburger3240]

Was thinking the same because of the coaxial alignment of the tourbillon/karussel and the balance wheel. Still an awesome feature to have in any case for such a low price! I’ll go for a seagull.

[@justicew7612]

How is the watch now since your review on April?

[@christicks5843]

Good day! I actually ended up trading the watch to a friend, but they still have it and wear it regularly!

[@justicew7612]

@@christicks5843 How is the watch accuracy? You said the movement is very loud. How loud? It would be nice if can hear it in your video. Thanks

[@christicks5843]

@@justicew7612 Good day, when I had it the movement was on average about +7ish seconds a day based on the timegrapher phone app, it was not as loud as a say a Timex Quartz but close too it, in a quiet room it'll be a dominating sound, but at 28,800 bph it was not a bad sound. I actually bought another one on the 11.11 sale so when I get it I could do a quick video of its sound. Cheers

[@justicew7612]

@@christicks5843 Thanks a lot for your prompt response!

[@christicks5843]

@@justicew7612 no problem!

[@melody3741]

How did you get it so cheap??? It's like 700$ on ebay

[@christicks5843]

Ah eBay prices for it aren't super duper. On Ali express they are usually on fo $(CAD) 450-500 ( a.aliexpress.com/_mqH9JCm) but they do a few big sales a year and it can come down to $325-350 or lower! The next big sale should be Singles day (Nov. 11) !

[@mablenay]

The paper that came with it says "servicing $25". So cleaning the inside of any black dust/debris is only $25 (plus shipping)? Seems reasonable

[@xStar24x]

How’s it holding up after a month

[@christicks5843]

I actually ended up trading it to a friend a bit ago, but according to them, they wear it pretty often and it is running well still!

[@xStar24x]

@@christicks5843 oh that’s good to hear, thx for the reply!

[@christicks5843]

@@xStar24x No problem!

[@MrHaiTiếngAnh]

Is it durable?

[@christicks5843]

I don't know that I'd call it durable, like a dive watch, but it does seem like as a general daily it's good. The case material is sturdy enough and the front crystal good. I would say tourbillon movements probably aren't super durable given the moving bits compared to a traditional movement but that's just me making a generalization.

[@rogersowers9837]

I can't find that watch ....found others for $595.00...

[@christicks5843]

Good day, hmm here's a link to the same one. It frequently goes on sale so I'd just add it to the wish list and wait for it to drop in price. a.aliexpress.com/_mKr3uEd

[@rogersowers9837]

@@christicks5843 They sure have a lot of watches there.....The Turbillion is the holly grail of mechanical watches....

[@christicks5843]

@@rogersowers9837 yeah there are tons on Ali express. It is really an interesting place to shop. The tourbillion is pretty nice and at the price point on of sub $1000 it is really tempting!

[@cirealreviews1776]

If I can get this watch for about $285, should I pull the trigger on this deal or do you think I can get it cheaper in the next few months with another sale? How often do these watches go below $285?

[@christicks5843]

$285 is honestly pretty good. They usually don't drop that much below that from what I've seen. You might find a few extra coupons on their real big sales coming up but it may go to like 275 so not a huge difference. But usually the big sale events like the Ali express anniversary sale or nov 11 singles day sales might get a bit more deals but honestly not hugely better.

[@cirealreviews1776]

@@christicks5843 thanks for your response. It was $260 before tax tonight when I placed my order. So out the door, it was $283. So this was a solid deal, you think?

[@christicks5843]

@@cirealreviews1776 Good day, I personally think that's pretty good. Haha I think I paid some 310USD when I got mine.

[@cirealreviews1776]

@@christicks5843 did you put a different strap on it? I'm thinking of putting a black bund strap on it. I ordered the silver version, i figure the black backing of the bund strap will make the silver look crisper, and I think it gives it a more classic look.

[@christicks5843]

@@cirealreviews1776 I did not change out straps but it is a good idea as the stock ones aren't great. I didn't mind em but I'm not usually super picky about the straps.

[@kelvinyao5172]

Is it still working?

[@christicks5843]

Good day, it is still going but I did have to open it up. The setting lever screw was installed loosely so at one point it came out and needed to be tightened. Otherwise though it still runs!

[@weerobot]

AmAZING...

[@douglasskinner]

On another subject, I'm looking for a reliable source for Seagull movements. I've bought a couple only to find they are fake Seagulls! Real Seagulls are pretty good and capture most of what ETA offers for a fraction of the price.

[@manuelbernabeulahuerta989]

En Amazon creo que son originales.

[@user-vz5ls9wf1h]

壊れやすいですか？ まだ動いてますか?

[@cgrant4520]

Rest in the good news 💐🌑👍 Okay bye

[@canenderbuyuktas9476]

I bought this product and it stopped working within 2 weeks. A great product if you have a lot of money and want to buy a watch that doesn't show the time correctly or even doesn't work at all.

[@christicks5843]

That is unfortunate, luckily it is very cheap. You should see if you can reach out to the seller, given the short timeframe they might be willing to help you. The one I have now is still running well and the original one I have is still being worn by the person I trade to more than 1 year ago.

[@jrpz57]

Just order two from 🇨🇳 Average in price of $90. US. Its will be here in 30 days. Learnings Patients. But to learn patients got to learn waiting ✋ I'm inpatient by birth.

[@jayroland9481]

The word is DEPLOYANT, not 'deployment'. Otherwise nice clip.

[@llllIIIlIll]

its too loud for me would annoy me a lot

[@christicks5843]

I wouldn't disagree it is a very loud tick!

[@hieuvuminh8761]

They actually have sapphire glass ?

[@christopherchang4167]

I don't have a hardness checker, so I can't verify but I have yet to put a scratch on it.

[@ZiadMalak98]

why so serious?!

[@rogersowers9837]

I spent 1 hour trying to buy this watch....but didn't finish it because it said it wanted permission to a access one of my Accounts.....

[@christicks5843]

Did you sign in through a Google or something? It should be possible to just make an email log in. But maybe things changed I've had an account for ever on Ali express.

[@rogersowers9837]

@@christicks5843 yeah, I use wish sometimes too....maybe that's just how it works..just like most apps don't work without your permission. Will try later....

[@rogersowers9837]

@@christicks5843 Ever hear of Brigada AUTOMATIC Flying tourbillion watch....saw one on Wish for $176.00......but no reviews. Has power reserve, am/pm moon indicator. Seagull listed in description....Sapphire crystal...stainless steel case... .sounds to good to be true. Also it says battery two year.. .which seems odd for an automatic.

[@christicks5843]

@@rogersowers9837 I have heard of the brand and I have seen some on Ali express but I can't say I've ever heard good things when it comes to ordering from wish. I would not trust it at that ticket price. The one I reviewed was the cheapest one and it shows (It's a nice watch but it shows some corner cutting). It sounds like it would be using a variant of the ST8000. The base movement price for that is on its own is about 400usd. Even if you assume a wholesale price could be 50% lower that would still be some 200usd and keep in mind I'm referring to the base st8000 with no extra complications and Handwind only.

[@rogersowers9837]

@@christicks5843 yeah, I know....I've seen refrigerators for $18.....but what you get is the plastic ice tray.....ads can not always be trusted.

[@john-paulsilke893]

They are now around $500 and their QC is better. Weirdly it’s now a better deal then when they first came out. Brother in law lost his at the gym, so his wife bought him a new one. 4 months later and he realized he lost it at the gym and asked. They had it, so we compared. 1% or even 2% better is huge, (or it could have just been luck since this is an example of two).

[@christicks5843]

Yeah I just got a new one from the recent 11.11 sale. I noticed some minor differences in the case back that are some small improvements, however I did notice my new one has a bit less click on the crown setting but overall it seems to be running just as excellently as the first one I had.

[@john-paulsilke893]

@@christicks5843 iterations are the Center of perfection. I’m a competition shootist and I own guns that are almost identical but in the right hands 1% difference is huge. These are micro solid state computers with error bars to the third decimal point which is waaaaay more accurate then any gun I own. (Watches are way cooler, even then cars and motorcycles, which I don’t do much because they are pretty dangerous and I have young children). I’m thinking of buying a whole bunch of pocket watch movements and starting a new hobby….🤔

[@mannykhan7752]

Why so SERIOUSSSSSS???????

[@RBXXXX]

Aliexpress is the problem. To many horror stories broken or damaged products. If this was sold for my American seller I buy it in a heartbeat

[@christicks5843]

Hmm, that's unfortunate. It's been a long time since I had bad experience on AliExpress. The current system is reasonably equipped to address items (although not super fun to navigate) that were damaged or not as described. It's not as fast as amazon at customer service but it's a far cry from leaving people high and dry. Then again I do also temper my expectations quite a bit depending on my orders. Haha I was happy that the watch reasonably matched the pictures on the site.

[@dimi7055]

I am from belgium and lately aliexpress is faster then anywhere else in the world. Its a website where you need a good filter but when you do filter it good its an amazing place with value unheard of in other places of the world.

[@allancopland1768]

Nice watch, horrible dial.