Hi Darren...

Jun 07, 2010,12:59 PM
 

I hope we get the chance to meet so you can see the JDN in person (and get that first-hand experience!).

 

Bill

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The Jean Daniel Nicolas Two-Minute Tourbillon - An Appreciation

 
 By: WHL : May 31st, 2010-18:48
One of the principal themes running through William Gaddis’s massive book The Recognitions is about authenticity. In his story concerning artists, writers, musicians, businessmen, families, clergy and the web of relationships between them we are bombarded...  

Thank You!

 
 By: asg : May 31st, 2010-20:47
what a great treat Bill. Not too often are there watches which knock your socks off. This is one. I have a great admiration for Mr Roth and his accomplishments. This Tourbillon is one of the best designs of all time! It's also great that you choose to sha... 

Thank you Adam.....

 
 By: WHL : June 7th, 2010-12:57
for all the kind words. I have found that taking photos and writing about watches helps me to understand what my preferences and priorities are. I am happy to share here. Bill

Just Fantastic

 
 By: Darren : May 31st, 2010-20:52
I agree, albeit with far less first-hand knowledge than you are now privileged enough to have, with all of your thoughts in this wonderful post. Mr. Roth is a legend, and his tourbillon, at least IMHO, is at the absolute pinnacle of fine watchmaking. Ther... 

Hi Darren...

 
 By: WHL : June 7th, 2010-12:59
I hope we get the chance to meet so you can see the JDN in person (and get that first-hand experience!). Bill

Outstanding report on a sublime watch.

 
 By: amanico : May 31st, 2010-22:24
I particularly appreciated all the details on the finish, with these circular Geneva Stripes which give the impression that the mainplate is composed of " Tubes " with the play of light. Now, I understand why you sold so many nice watches to get this Mats... 

Thanks, Nicolas....

 
 By: WHL : June 7th, 2010-13:03
You should go and visit Daniel in his workshop and share what you learn with us here. Bill

Spectacular - Simply Spectacular Thanks for Sharing! [nt]

 
 By: Ancienne Le Brassus : May 31st, 2010-23:30
No message body

Thank you for reading! nt [nt]

 
 By: WHL : June 7th, 2010-13:03
No message body

I long waited for this one....

 
 By: Dje : June 1st, 2010-01:11
Hi Bill, ....but certainly not as much as you! Since I learnt that you had ordered this watch I was hoping to see it. It's done and yes it was worth the wait. I'm a great fan of Daniel Roth's work myself and always take a great pleasure wearing my 207. Yo... 

Thank you Jerome....

 
 By: WHL : June 7th, 2010-13:05
I enjoy instant gratification as much as the next person.....but the wait truly was worth it. Bill

What an amazing post...

 
 By: Donut : June 1st, 2010-04:35
Well thought out and a joy to read......and the watch.....well....you know how I feel about the watch. Congratulations Bill, may you enjoy it in the very best of health....and thank you for sharing....it really helps. Best, Rob

Hi Rob...

 
 By: WHL : June 7th, 2010-13:06
I'm looking forward to sending a congratulatory note to you in the near future. ;-) Bill

the crown jewel of your collection and a watch worth the 3

 
 By: alex : June 1st, 2010-05:34
years of waiting (or was it 4?). May it time only happy moments

Thank you Alex....

 
 By: WHL : June 7th, 2010-13:09
I must credit you for getting me to seriously think about getting a watch from an independent watchmaker in the first place. It was almost five years ago when you suggested that I "should go meet Dufour" when I came over to Geneva for the PuristS tour of ... 

With complete respect for Mr Roth, this was a collaboration . . .

 
 By: Dr No : June 1st, 2010-07:46
. . . that required a sensitivity and passion on the part of the commissioner - namely, yourself - that very few have. Literally, it is your inspiration and appreciation that made this achievement possible. Highest regards, Art

Hi Art....

 
 By: WHL : June 7th, 2010-13:18
I know that the Daniel and Nicole appreciate all the positive feedback that the JDN tourbillon has gotten from the responses to my review. Like a composer getting applause when his music is premiered after long process of creation, so it is with Daniel an... 

This is like a Tourbillon version of......

 
 By: CL : June 1st, 2010-07:56
Dufour Simplicity. Absolutely Superlative Super Congrats to you and how I wish it's my watch. Lovesss*CL

Good analogy CL....

 
 By: WHL : June 7th, 2010-13:20
and I think you'l have a chance to see it sooner rather than later. I'll be down in NY next week! Bill

congrats...its a beaut

 
 By: Hororgasm : June 1st, 2010-09:34

Thank you. nt [nt]

 
 By: WHL : June 7th, 2010-13:20
No message body

Congrats and Thank You Bill for the fantastic writing

 
 By: schen : June 1st, 2010-10:47
...and close up photos of this masterpiece by Mr. Daniel Roth. It's so beautiful. What a joy to have it on the wrist!

Thank you for the compliments on my writing...

 
 By: WHL : June 7th, 2010-13:24
as I spent a lot of time on the text and photos....but not nearly as much time as Daniel spent making the watch! Bill

Excellent Bill,

 
 By: Tim Jackson : June 1st, 2010-11:20
Meeting Daniel Roth in Basel this year was probably the highlight of the show for me, getting to examine the two pieces he had in Basel was amazing. The level of craftsmanship is superb, and M. Roth remains one of the icons of the Independent Watchmaking ... 

I'm glad you've seen the watch in person too...

 
 By: WHL : June 7th, 2010-13:34
and gotten to spend some time with Daniel. I'm a fan of the Maitres du Temps Chapter Two and am planning on a write up withing a couple of months. Bill

Absolutely stunning|

 
 By: moc : June 1st, 2010-14:09
Speachless.I do feel your passion for this watch.Truly deserved! Yours,Mo.

Food for thought

 
 By: small-luxury-world : June 1st, 2010-18:17
Bill, not only that you please us with pictures of a very beautiful watch, even more you offer some interesting food for thought. Thanks a lot for sharing and I wish you lots of happy moments with this piece of art on your wrist. Oliver

Very impressive!

 
 By: patrick_y : June 2nd, 2010-01:25
Thank you Bill for your incredible appreciation of this unique watch. I have never seen this watch in person, however, in a way, it is utterly classic and almost - familiar - in a certain sense. It is almost eerie to like a watch so much that I knew almos... 

Hi Patrick...

 
 By: WHL : June 7th, 2010-13:53
Daniel certainly paid hommage to the Breguet tourbillon as well as to the Daniel Roth brand of watches (much more obviously in the form-cased option which I will post a photo of later when I get home), a fact which I appreciate. Bill

Thank you, VMM. nt

 
 By: WHL : June 7th, 2010-13:53
nt

I will revisit this post in the coming years...

 
 By: Ornatus-Mundi : June 2nd, 2010-02:53
many times as an example on how a truly purist appreciation of watchmaking bears fruit. This is an intellectual, aesthetic and horological masterpiece. I hope to be able to see this watch one day! Congratulations! Best regards, Magnus This message has bee... 

Come to Boston and see it in person!

 
 By: WHL : June 7th, 2010-13:55
Hi Magnus, The JDN certainly satisfies on so many levels, which I one of the reasons I appreciate it so deeply. Bill

Magic. Thank you. [nt]

 
 By: BDLJ : June 2nd, 2010-05:00
No message body

That is sublime.

 
 By: SJX : June 2nd, 2010-05:48
And it certainly is worth the effort in liquidating the others watches for this one. - SJX

Thank you SJX....

 
 By: WHL : June 7th, 2010-14:04
Getting the Jean Daniel Nicolas was well worth the cost of liquidating my collection. Bill

Long awaited full review

 
 By: takashi78 : June 2nd, 2010-06:29
Have been following your journey to get this watch for some time now and enjoy your post so much. I am at a lost for words for this beauty and work of art, the master, the technical know how, all the hand crafted detail just blows me away! Dont think i wi... 

Regarding the back....

 
 By: WHL : June 7th, 2010-14:07
I like the large surface given to the plate and I don't feel the need to see into the watch...though of course it helps that I received pictures of the watch in progess, so I know just how nicely the unseen parts are finished. Bill

Thanks for Sharing

 
 By: Meehna : June 3rd, 2010-00:02
I really enjoyed getting such an intimate view of the JDN Tourbillon. Your personal observations made my appreciation of the details that go into this watch even greater. m

Hi Meehna....

 
 By: WHL : June 7th, 2010-14:11
I hope you get to see it in person...I would certainly love to read what you would have to say about it. Bill

Thanks for a great post Bill....

 
 By: DonCorson : June 3rd, 2010-11:23
not just the watch itself, but your thoughts about it and it's maker make this all the more valuble. I had the great good fortune to meet Mr. Roth at the Basel fair this year and also to see another one of his tourbillons. Great work from a humble man. I ... 

Thank you Don....

 
 By: WHL : June 7th, 2010-14:22
I'm glad you've gotten to know Daniel a little bit. I'm sure he is happy to share is knowledge of watchmaking to those who express and interest. Bill

a wonderul article about an exquisite watch

 
 By: ei8htohms : June 4th, 2010-12:07
Congratulations and thank you for sharing it with us! _john

You're welcome John....

 
 By: WHL : June 7th, 2010-14:23
I bet you'd love to get your hands on this for one of your disassemble the watch reviews!! (No, that is not an offer) Bill

never say never... :) (nt)

 
 By: ei8htohms : June 7th, 2010-17:17
Nt