Hands-On: The Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Tourbillon Ivory Enamel (And What Is And Isn't A Tourbillon)
Since tourbillons have become much more common since the end of the 20th century – largely due to modern manufacturing and assembly techniques that make it easier to achieve the precision necessary for them to work properly – now more than ever, it's not so much a question of whether you can do it, but how well it's done. With that in mind, let's take a look at an unusual, and unusually designed, example of the tourbillon as a piece of wearable, high-craft, design: an objet d'art for the wrist from Jaquet Droz. 1 OF 9 As always, with tourbillons it's good to have some context for what you're looking at. In this case, we've got a tourbillon that's a little different from the usual run-of-the-mill tourbillon (to the extent that there is such a thing in the first place).  This is not the first self-winding tourbillon ever made, of course – that honor goes to Audemars Piguet, who created the still record-holding self-wind

Something different to end the year
The limited edition JFK commemorative, 18ct YG, manual wind cal. 2006:Photos do not do this one justice - at least mine don't. I'll have to get it up to Bill's (gaopa's) studio for some professional shots.Although I had some concerns about the size ( 25.39 x 31.50mm x 7mm ), it wears nicely. At only 32gm, it is hardly noticeable on the wrist but definitely has presence and will make good modern company for my 60-year old Omega bumper and Rolex bubble back.What a way to end the year!Fr. John†

My perfect trio in picture
My collection, once I flip the ones I have now and get the 3 which will be for me the best trio possible, will look like this.1 week to wait for the Patek, 2 months for the Rolex, and within 4-6 months for the AP, I think that concerning my priorities; no straps just bracelets, SS no gold or platinum see through case back, ok not for the Hulk even though I can have one installed but won't because of water proof problems (living near beaches in Thailand makes it obvious that there will be a lot of swimming)images-7.jpegimages-8.jpegimages-9.jpegimages-10.jpegap15202jumbosihh2012-1.jpgAPROJumbo15202RJ.jpg

Broken screwdriver tip
Oh well it only took 3 weeks but I've managed to snap the tiny tip off the end of the screwdriver I'm assuming you can buy a new tip from Panerai as it can be removed or do you have other recommendations? What size is the tip? I've read it's 1.6mm.

White gold more durable than yellow gold?
Doing some research on my next possible buy. One i'm looking at is the Smurf. Is white gold more durable than the yellow? I know both are 18 karat and I'm probably answering my own question, but I'm wondering if in the white gold there may be a slightly higher content of nickel or silver.Is it a scratch magnet or does the fact that it's white gold hide it a bit better?