JUST BOUGHT: TAO international 150WD "Calibre Tourbillon"

[WillyLix]

Hi guys,
I'm pretty new to automatics / wind-ups. I recently bought a parnis IWC homage (still en route to me) And today, I just bought a TAO international 150WD "Calibre Tourbillon" Don't know much (or anything) about them, so I was wondering if you guys could give me your input. I actually bought it from the sales forum on here. Please let me know if you guys have any experience with these, so I should know what to expect. Also, do you think I should have any trouble changing out the strap? Also, how much do you think this watch is worth?/How much should this sell for?

Thanks!

[RuffRydas]

I wouldn't pay a penny for it because it's such a blatant copy of Cartier's design, but the fair price is probably between $50-$100.

TAO International is a mushroom brand with mixed reviews here on the forums, don't expect much customer service with the watch if you run into any problems though...

The movement being utilized is a Seagull-ST25, likely a lower grade version of what's in an actual Seagull branded watch though, and definitely NOT a real tourbillon.

[WillyLix]

Yeah, I really that now that it's definitely a copy-cat of a cartier, but like I said, I'm very new to automatics, so certain models, I don't even know what looks like what, so you must excuse me on that. I'm really just trying to find a couple autos/manuels, that look nice visually and are cheap in price, so I can test them out to see if these types of watches are for me. To show you how amateur I am at this, I had to look up what a tourbillon is today....So please be easy on me. :)

[Elcoholic]

I have this one. $88,89 shipped from tao international. Quite a nice watch imo though a little big and the stock strap is really bad. But the watch and movement are nice and accurate. Enjoy yours once it arrives (took like 5 weeks for mine to arrive but only 2 weeks for others).

[mleok]

Note that this isn't actually a tourbillon, rather it is an "open heart" movement, which is to say that the balance wheel is exposed. A cage slaved to the petite seconds subdial at 6 o'clock gives one the impression of a rotating tourbillon cage.

[WillyLix]

I still don't understand exactly what a tourbillion does, but I do know that is an open-heart, and not a real tourbillion. Mine arrived yesterday, super excited. Does anybody know how to change these straps?...I heard it has 2 pins in each lug, and it's an odd 23mm strap in width. Here a couple pictures of it:

[Will3020]

This is an old thread but thought to chime in. I also have this Tao model and it's still working well for me. The strap it came with is definitely genuine leather.

[M.N]

Just received my Tao 150WD today, and everything seems to be good also. Thinking about buying another one of their watches. Took about week and a half to ship to Canada. So overall everything worked out well with my first purchase from Tao.

Here is a quick upload of a wrist shot, and video.

[mpalmer]

This is not a tourbillon. It is using a Seagull movement and attempting to copy the appearance of a tourbillon movement. I think it is a sub dial mounted over the balance wheel (my knowledge of movements are very poor, so this may be all wrong). In any case, if you like it that is all that matters.