There are also some "cheap" musical wristwatches

Jan 03, 2014,12:29 PM
 

Don't remember which metal it was.


 But I think the way musical watches work makes it imposssible to have a loud volume, as the little "fingers" are so little, compared to the hammers and gongs of a repeater.
 Plus it's not striked, it's "springged"  (??)

Don't get me wrong. I love the musical watches. I simply wished they were a little louder (and cheaper, please).

There are also other musical watches that simply add a small music box inside the case of a watch.  So, they are nothing near the 3 watches here, that incorporate the musical box in the movement.
But still, a much cheaper option.
Small Google search gave me this result : Boegli mechanical musical watch
(please not that I'm not affiliated with them)

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GP Opera 3 versus U.N The Stranger: The music box titans fight.

 
 By: amanico : January 3rd, 2014-04:32
A music box strikes two strings, in my opinion: Nostalgy and Magic. Who, among us, was never in awe when listening to and admiring a music box? The nostalgy of some tender moments from our childhood, the magic of the melody, born in the mysterious music b...  

Although I like Ol' Blue Eyes a lot

 
 By: Ares501 - Mr Green : January 3rd, 2014-05:17
Opera 3 is winner by margin for me Lovely comparison dr. Nicolas Thank you Best D

The GP Opera 3

 
 By: Spellbound : January 3rd, 2014-05:38
I love that on the GP Opera 3 you can choose either Mozart or Tchaikovsky, but aesthetically for me atleast, I would prefer the UN. That said, sorry to introduce another one to a two horse race, but the Breguet Reveil Musical introduced in 2010 would be t...  

The Breguet cannot compete.

 
 By: amanico : January 3rd, 2014-11:57
It does not have the crystaline sound of a Minute repeater. The Opera 3 has a bit deaf sound, I have to confess. And The UN is better, on this ground. How captivating are they, nonetheless! Best, my friend. Nicolas

Knowing

 
 By: Ares501 - Mr Green : January 3rd, 2014-12:14
your collection, at least what you presented to us, and your future favorites and preferences in watch world I must confess that we have more than similar taste dear Dean Yes Reveil du Tsar was long time favorite alarm watch until Reveil Musical swept it ... 

In that case

 
 By: Spellbound : January 3rd, 2014-12:28
In that case dear Damjan-san, I am honoured for my taste to even come close to a true connoisseur like you. I do feel Breguet does not get as much love from this forum as they deserve (aside from Nico's infamous salmon dial) . If I was just to have two wa... 

And... A Tradition! :)

 
 By: amanico : January 3rd, 2014-12:46

Christophe Claret also made one

 
 By: Origami : January 3rd, 2014-05:47
Hello Amanico, I remember that Christophe Claret also made a true music box-watch, about 15 years ago. On his site : Never had the chance to listen to the Claret nor the UN, but I've listened at the GP. I was very disapointed by the very, very soft volum... 

If I am not wrong, Christophe Claret was involved in the development of the Opera 3.

 
 By: amanico : January 3rd, 2014-11:59
Thanks for the link, Origami. Now, I have learned somethin, thanks to you. Did you hear the platinum or the white gold version of the Opera 3? The metal may have its importance, when you listen to the sound. Best, Nicolas

There are also some "cheap" musical wristwatches

 
 By: Origami : January 3rd, 2014-12:29
Don't remember which metal it was. But I think the way musical watches work makes it imposssible to have a loud volume, as the little "fingers" are so little, compared to the hammers and gongs of a repeater. Plus it's not striked, it's "springged" (??) Do... 

It is indeed a Claret movement. The same than the Montre Musicale.

 
 By: foversta : January 4th, 2014-01:15
Opera 3: Montre Musicale: Fx ...  

As a metaphore, it is like comparing........

 
 By: Sandgroper : January 3rd, 2014-13:30
Monet and Van Gogh, both impressionists! Or musically maybe, Miles Davis and Wynton Marsalis both absolute in their art. Personally, I love all of them but have a penchant for Monet...and Davis.....hence perhaps a little bias for the GP:) Thank you Nicola... 

2 superb watches I had the chance to handle

 
 By: foversta : January 4th, 2014-10:40
It may be surprising but I prefer the UN for its design, the ability to see the pins and blades at work. The only point I regret is the presence of the date window. On the other hand, the more sober style of the GP may be preferred by collectors. The stro...  

Yes, I agree that the date on the UN makes it look a bit cheap.

 
 By: amanico : January 4th, 2014-10:42
It is not at the level of the rest of the Watch... They should have forgotten the date, it is not necessary, IMO, and it would have been better! Best, Nicolas

Two beautiful watches….one great complication

 
 By: moc : January 4th, 2014-14:47
Definitely they belong to the dreamy watches,I prefer the opera 3apart from the horrible decoration at the back!!! The stranger….well,still haven t seen it live,but it leaves me a bit….I don t know. The date is a deal breaker,the melody,well even if I am ... 

The date bothers me a lot, too...

 
 By: amanico : January 4th, 2014-15:29
But try to imagine: White Metal + No Date... THe U.N would be fantastic! As for the Opera Three, well... A long date dream... Best, Nicolas

The most elaborated one was the Mermod Frères

 
 By: Goldenlutin : January 5th, 2014-00:48
Launched in 2007/2008, the Mermod Frères could play 4 different tunes (like a little juke-box). I am not sure though if it ever really worked properly. The only time I saw one was in Dubai and when I asked to try it the sales staff kindly asked me not to ...  

Aaah, Goldenlutin is going out of the wood. ;)

 
 By: amanico : January 5th, 2014-01:00
Very interesting input. But, in my opinion, a Watch you have to send back to the manufacture each time you use it is not a Watch which counts. Existing is one thing, working is much better. ;) But thanks for this information! As for the in the real experi... 

Well, Claret's movements do usually not work much better :)

 
 By: Goldenlutin : January 5th, 2014-01:44
You can ask GP why their foudroyante chronograph with tourbillon and perpetual calendar (done by Claret) was never released/sold although it has been presented several years ago :)

Thanks for the feedback.

 
 By: amanico : January 5th, 2014-01:59

Better late than never? How did I miss this post!

 
 By: MichaelC : February 18th, 2014-13:34
Excellent Nicolas. I am going to give the nod here to the Stranger. Not because I adore Ulysse Nardin, but rather I find it a more original and visually striking solution to the musical watch. The sounding bars cantilevered over the dial and turning music...