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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →In his February 28, 2023 Fratello Watches fantasy-shopping exercise, Brandon Baines asks, “What watches would you buy if money were no object?” His answer is three very different additions to his existing collection: a reversible Jaeger-LeCoultre chronograph, an MB&F with an exposed suspended balance, and a Chopard minute repeater with a tourbillon. He limited himself to one watch per brand and chose pieces that would add features he did not already own. These are personal preferences, not a ranking or a current buying guide.
Why these three watches made Baines’s list
Baines approached the question as a collection-building exercise rather than a contest to name the most expensive watches. Each pick offered a distinct case material, display, or complication that he wanted to add. The watches serve different roles, so the useful comparison is what each contributes—not which is objectively “best.”
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Gran Sport Retrograde Chronograph
Why Baines chose it
The Reverso Gran Sport Retrograde Chronograph, reference Q2951120, appealed to Baines for its yellow-gold case, white dial with red accents, Gothic-style numerals, and reversible case. Its chronograph display is on the reverse side: the hand-wound caliber 859 pairs a 30-minute chronograph with retrograde minutes. That combination makes the watch’s defining feature a change of view as well as a complication.
Size and historical price report
Fratello gives dimensions of 28 mm wide, 43.5 mm long, and 11.9 mm thick, and describes the bracelet as a five-row design. In the 2023 article, Baines reported that this reference averaged around €25,000 on the pre-owned market. The article does not establish how that average was calculated, and it should not be read as a current valuation.
#1 Best Overall
- [Luxurious Mechanical Watch] High quality hollow mechanical watch appearance retro gorgeous, exquisite carving and design of the golden appearance of the European nobility more highlight your noble identity extraordinary taste, to bring you a pleasant luxury experience
- [Mechanical Movement] This watch has manual self-winding. Please consider that mechanical watches that require manual winding can only keep time for a short time after winding. To prevent running or inaccurate time, it is advised that you verify the time periodically and wind up the chain 15–20 times.
- [Waterproof] Water resistant to 50m (165ft) -suitable for short periods of recreational swimming and showering, but not diving or snorkeling
- [Ideal as a Gift] This beautiful retro-style watch can be worn on any occasion or given as a gift to your father, brother, partner, or boyfriend. At weddings and any holiday gatherings, it can be a really appreciated and elegant gift.
- [Professional After-Sale Service] Please contact us if you need any additional details about our watches. We will be happy to answer and help you anytime.
MB&F Legacy Machine 101 in white gold and purple
What distinguishes the LM101
Baines’s imagined configuration pairs an 18K white-gold case with a purple dial. The LM101’s suspended balance is prominent above the dial, while the time display sits off-center and a separate indicator shows power reserve. Baines selected it for this unusual presentation and for the visual contrast of the purple-and-white-gold combination.
Movement details, dimensions, and reported price
The article says MB&F involved Kari Voutilainen in the movement’s finishing and aesthetics and identifies a Straumann double hairspring supplied by H. Moser & Cie. Fratello lists the case at 40 mm across, 46.5 mm long, and 15.5 mm thick. Its 2023 article reports CHF 73,000 (about €73,500) for the configuration discussed; this is publication-era reporting, not a current quote.
Rank #2
- [Luxurious Mechanical Watch] High quality hollow mechanical watch appearance retro gorgeous, exquisite carving and design of the golden appearance of the European nobility more highlight your noble identity extraordinary taste, to bring you a pleasant luxury experience
- [Mechanical Movement] There's no need to worry if the battery is dead because this watch has manual self-winding. Please consider that mechanical watches that require manual winding can only keep time for a short time after winding. To prevent running or inaccurate time, it is advised that you verify the time periodically and wind up the chain 15–20 times.
- [Waterproof] Water resistant to 30m (98FT) -suitable for daily water resistance, withstands splashes and light rain. Not for swimming, showering or diving
- [Ideal as a Gift] This beautiful retro-style watch can be worn on any occasion or given as a gift to your father, brother, partner, or boyfriend. At weddings and any holiday gatherings, it can be a really appreciated and elegant gift.
- [Professional After-Sale Service] Please contact us if you need any additional details about our watches. We will be happy to answer and help you anytime.
Chopard L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon
A chiming watch with a tourbillon
Baines preferred the 2022 version of the L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon for its cleaner dial and tourbillon. The watch combines a minute repeater with a tourbillon, and its sapphire gongs are integrated with the crystal to produce the chimes. The 42.5 mm rose-gold case houses caliber 08.02-L, which the article describes as having double power-reserve indications. It also notes a crown lockout while the repeater is chiming, 61 jewels, 568 parts, and Geneva Seal finishing.
Edition and historical price report
Fratello’s 2023 article reports a price of CHF 380,000 (about €383,000) and a worldwide edition of 20 pieces. Those figures describe what the article reported at publication; they do not establish present availability or a current market price.
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Rank #3
- [Luxury Design] High quality hollow out mechanical wristwatch with a retro and gorgeous appearance. With a double sided hollow out design and a special movement, the extremely complex carved totem style demonstrates your noble identity and extraordinary taste
- [No Battery Required] No need to install batteries, automatic winding. (Note: Correct manual winding is essential to effectively reduce time deviation. Insufficient mechanical kinetic energy can cause the watch to stop, so please wind it up in a timely manner.)
- [High Quality Movement] Adopts high-quality imported movement, which is quiet enough to not generate too much noise even in the middle of the night. The powerful movement makes it run smoothly and has a service life of over 10 years.
- [Intimate Function] The luminous pointer allows you to wake up at night and know the current time in a timely manner, which is very convenient. Waterproof 50 meters (165 feet): Suitable for short periods of leisure swimming and showering, but not suitable for diving or snorkeling
- [Perfect Gift] Our luxurious carved mechanical watch is the perfect watch for various business, leisure, indoor activities, or daily use. It is the perfect gift for your lover, friends, and family
How the three picks differ
| Watch | Role in Baines’s collection | Standout feature | Article-era price or edition report |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Gran Sport Retrograde Chronograph, Q2951120 | Reversible chronograph in yellow gold | Reverse-side 30-minute chronograph with retrograde minutes | Fratello reported an average pre-owned price around €25,000 in 2023; methodology and current value are not established. |
| MB&F Legacy Machine 101, 18K white gold with purple dial | Distinctive display and exposed mechanics | Suspended balance, offset time display, and power-reserve indicator | CHF 73,000 (about €73,500), as reported by Fratello in 2023. |
| Chopard L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon, 2022 version | Chiming complication paired with a tourbillon | Minute repeater with sapphire gongs integrated with the crystal | CHF 380,000 (about €383,000) and 20 pieces worldwide, as reported by Fratello in 2023. |
What Baines’s fantasy collection says
The three choices are united by collection logic, not by price tier or direct competition. The Reverso adds a reversible case and a retrograde chronograph; the LM101 makes its balance and offset display part of the visual experience; and the Chopard combines a minute repeater with a tourbillon. Baines’s answer is therefore less a universal shopping list than a portrait of the complications and designs he wanted his own collection to include.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- SMALL BUDY, BUT VERSATILE:Quality brand original automatic tourbillon style relojes de hombre(watch); without a battery; calendar,waterproof, moon phase function
- LUMINOUS WATCH,EASY TO READ TIME,EVEN IN THE DARK:Fashion design men's mechanical watch, black case with clear golden lines and golden hands, let you read the time easy; The hands will be grow when in the dark, which let you can read the time even in dark
- WATER RESISTANT TO 30M:Waterproof:In general, withstands splashes or brief immersion in water ,but not suitable for hot water bathing or diving. Please do not press any buttons in the water
- NO BATTERY NEEDED:Automatic mechanical movement, Powers with the mechanical movement, without a battery. Operate the watch, to wind-up please whirl the button on the clockwise (Don't need to pull out, just in normal condition.) for 15 to 20 complete revolutions
- NICE PRESENTS:Stylish mechanical germen watch, it fits good and looks fantastic, elegant holiday present sure to be given some compliments by business colleagues and clients, friend. Also, it is nice present for your friends and family as a Father's Day present
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
