Blancier Crazy Planet Watch
By James Grahame
The Blancier Limited Edition Crazy Planet watch incorporates a couple of visible planetary gears. Sadly, the name isn't the only nutty thing about this timepiece - it retails for an astonishing $15,000.
In exchange for enough cash to purchase a reasonably equipped subcompact car, you get to pick the color of the engraved dial and the finish of the 42mm case, which houses a Swiss Cortebert / Perseo movement.
If fifteen grand is a bit tough to swallow, check out Blancier's clever interactive workshop that lets you select from a variety of watch movements (including 18-jewel mechanical mechanisms made in Germany by parent company Lottermann & Soehne), hands, lunettes, faces and straps. The best part? They can manufacture and ship your creation in three to six weeks. Prices start under $600, leaving you with more than enough to buy a spiffy second-hand Honda.
If a $600 custom timepiece is still out of your price range, consider Seiko's surprisingly affordable mechanical watches for less than $100.


