is it about time ...

... or conspicuous consumption?

You decide: here's the top five finishers from AskMen.com's list of Fine Living Top 10: Watches

NUMBER 5

Richard Mille RM 002-V2 Turbillon

$240,000

It’s difficult to settle for a single model from this relative newcomer who’s taken watchmaking to another level from day one in 1999. But first, let’s make it perfectly clear that we’re not gushing mindless praise at yet another corporate rebel of his particular industry. Having said that, owning a Richard Mille is a rare treat. Several models are offered, and as we said, singling one out is not easy. As a good example, the RM 002-V2 Turbillon, with its carbon nano-fiber construction, is what you might imagine as the outcome of the most avant-garde designers locked in a studio with NASA engineers. To relay a few specifications in the allotted space we have here would do a great injustice to the several dozen other impressive characteristics. And that’s just our non-gushing assessment.    

NUMBER 4

Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Type 370

$274,000

Granted, the Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Type 370 does retail for over a quarter-million dollars.  However, it’s only about one-quarter the going rate for the car it was designed to complement, the Bugatti Veyron. You’ve no doubt heard of the car’s phenomenal performance; and the watch is quite impressive in its own right. Foremost, you can’t ignore the unconventional display angle. This allows the wearer to check the time at a glance without lifting his hand from the wheel or turning his wrist. Not a bad idea when scorching the Earth at over 200 mph. The watch also pays tribute with an upright parts arrangement, to resemble an engine layout. Look closely through the six sapphire crystals held by the 18-carat white-gold case. You’ll see movement wheels designed to replicate the design of Bugatti wheel rims of the 1930s.  

NUMBER 3

Breguet Double Tourbillon Classique Grande Complication

$329,000

It’s one thing when fine watches enjoy status among the rich and famous, but when you’ve been in the business since 1775 and your past customers includeMarie Antoinette and Napoleon Bonaparte, you must be Breguet. You must also be the maker who patented the Tourbillon, designed to compensate for gravity and improve the watch movement’s accuracy. You may just get the impression they have a knack for this watchmaking thing. With 50 hours of power, their Double Tourbillon Classique Grande Complication strikes an appealing harmony between sophistication and simplicity with a rotating textured center plate, turned by hand. An image of the solar system is hand engraved on the back of the movement. A case of platinum surrounds the 588 pieces and 69 jewels.

NUMBER 2

Vacheron Constantin Skeleton Minute Repeater

$623,000

Henry Ford would not wear this watch. If he were still with us and the morbid name or heavenly price didn’t deter him, its assembly definitely would. There are perhaps just a few more parts -- moving or otherwise -- at work here than in a Tin Lizzie, and it wasn’t mass-produced on an assembly line. Any other captain of industry who can appreciate the thousands of hours spent in the creation of a Vacheron Constantin Skeleton Minute Repeater will wear one with pride. This 30-jewel timepiece has a 34-hour power reserve. Functions include hours, minutes, repeating hours, quarter-hours, and minutes by demand. So this is also not the ideal choice for feature-loving wearers, but if you appreciate craftsmanship over gizmos, this is one skeleton you won’t want to keep in the closet.   

NUMBER 1

Girard-Perregaux Opera Three

$630,000

Desirability is understandably great for the Opera Three, and even at $630,000 we can envision hordes of the well-to-do camping out for the chance to buy one, iPhone-style. There’s just a small flaw in that scenario. Girard-Perregaux position themselves as crafting “watches for the few since 1791.” They’re not about to change. For the especially privileged few who acquire one, life could be worse. Owners can let the arrival of each hour pass in silence or they can embrace it by allowing the Opera Three to play one of two personalized tunes on its (very) miniature carillon, somewhat like a diminutive music box -- on your wrist -- that cost over half a million.