Original Saab Turbo X watch - the auction ends tomorrow
Tomorrow the auction of our original Saab Turbo X watch ends. As always, we donate the proceeds to a good cause. The watch has never been worn or operated. Can you find a comparable piece anywhere else? Probably not. At the end of the auction we will make a short pit stop. The blog team takes the Pentecost weekend off, the next auction doesn't start until the weekend after.
With the Turbo X watch, Saab provided the right accessories for the car. And while 2.000 Turbo X are said to have been made, only 500 watches were produced. It is no longer possible to prove whether this number is correct. An old press text is the only source, no further documents exist.
The Saab watch was never worn, and the quartz movement was never put into operation. The TX watch corresponds to the delivery status of 2008. Aero X Club members and holders of an Aero X subscription can still place their bids abgeben. The auction ends on June 03rd at 18.00 p.m.
What's coming soon?
A lot of Saab nostalgia awaits the readers. Saab art from the 1980s, as it hung on many walls at the factory in Sweden, for example. Saab flags, which may also be 40 or 50 years old, a Saab reception desk and much more.
Some Saab literature, originally packaged and never touched, could also be interesting. And then a classic Saab is waiting for a new owner. On the Saturday after Pentecost we will ignite the next auction!
Actually, I didn't want to write anything about it, if only because I couldn't immediately think of which watch the Turbo X watch reminds me of.
But since things are very busy here and I now know again which watch I see as a role model, I still give my assessment for the best. May round off the overall picture, or deepen the moats, depending on how you want to see it. Why?
In my opinion, this watch refers more to the AUDI Design Square or Square Chronograph, both of which can of course also be understood as interpretations of the Heuer Monaco. In this respect, this reference is of course also available, but there is also a more recent car reference, which is probably not entirely coincidental.
Just as the watch can be understood as the Saab interpretation of an AUDI design watch, the Turbo X can be understood as a Saab interpretation of a Sport Quattro. Both Saab interpretations should have been more popular than the AUDI models in terms of price.
These AUDI design watches were manufactured by Sinn Spezialuhren, where you can now buy similar watches with the 901 & 902 models, provided you have the necessary change.
I'm looking forward to the upcoming actions. Sounds exciting...
Oh man, if it's even allowed to see it like that, to think like that? But I have to get rid of this.
I associate Saab with good design. Always unexcited and factual in appearance and technology, reliably superior to cheap sensationalism ...
And now these gaudy headrests in the previous article or this watch here. Ouch!
What were you thinking? A second hand that doesn't even come close to reaching the scale anywhere, let alone the far corners?
But the scale is all the more ambitious with 25 divisions to 5 seconds. A design that wants to be exact every 0,2 seconds and a watch that would have to be read hectic and excited accordingly. This is one of the worst watch designs and dials I have ever seen. Ironically from Saab, who actually stand for excellent and functional fittings and the night panel ...
How the hell did this watch come about that so obviously and intentionally doesn't give a damn about typical Saab virtues?
Can I only explain that they wanted to show the world with the crowbar that Saab can also deliver unreasonableness if the customers want it.
It's probably no longer possible to clarify today, but it's an exciting question as to whether Saab has lengthened or shortened its existence with the softened brand core, with thirsty V6 from GM and such watches?
I dont know. The V6 and Turbo X have a following, but also opposition. Personally, I would have preferred a Turbo X with a 300 PS 4-cylinder and a different clock and somehow "saabiger" ...
I see it exactly the same way - and I think probably some other readers too, because otherwise there would certainly have been significantly more bids for the Saab watch (as was the case recently, for example, for the great-looking briefcase). The only thing I like about the watch is the (inside!) embossing of the strap. Otherwise, according to my (very personal) taste, it is really terrible and lacking in style, which is largely due to the fact that it is angular - totally crazy and inappropriate for an analog watch, so nothing with the very own Saab principle "form follows function". I had seen a photo somewhere of a Saab Turbo clock designed like the turbo gauge in the shape of the (round!) cockpit instrument, then at 12 with an orange/red area like the real instrument. I would have bid for it and was all the more disappointed when I saw the pictures at this auction. But no offense, as we all know, there's no arguing about taste, the bidder must have liked a special detail, and I'm pleased that a pretty good sum was raised for the good cause!
The clock you describe with an orange tube display etc. can be found in the Saab Museum. It's really great and flat and the second hand is well hidden. The Turbo X watches are as rare as this car.
If you have these, if you ride them, your heart beats differently and time is no longer important. Just enjoy !!!
Thanks to afoceps for letting me know I'll find the watch I remembered in the museum! 🙂 When I finally make it there (unfortunately it doesn't work now for the anniversary), I'll check them out! And the fact that the black watch goes with the black Turbo X is great and will certainly increase the driving pleasure for the new owner (if that's even possible :-))!
Pretty destructive and negative comment. In 2008, black watches were typical of cool Scandinavian design. The watch, extremely rare, is a testimony to the times and stands for the (completely) black Turbo X. It's unfortunate if you don't recognize it.
The round must go into the square …
I didn't criticize a single word for the watch being black...
And is that really her? The angular case is some sort of titanium-colored anthracite and probably alludes to the rims? Luckily, the Turbo X is as round as it gets...
For this reason alone, the watch would have been well advised to also be round...
Anyway, I deliberately commented late and certainly didn't want to negatively influence the auction for a good cause...
If I should have made a mistake in time, I am expressly sorry and I accept the accusation of having written a destructive comment unconditionally.
And to the purchaser of the watch:
Of course it is a testimony of the times and has its justification. I wish you a lot of fun and/or an increase in value.
Only and solely on the condition that my comment does not serve a good purpose or the joy of the successful bidder to the detriment, do I partially maintain my criticism of the watch. They are mind games of a designer. Nothing more. I never wanted to damage the good cause and the joy of a collector and hopefully I don't have it either? ? ?
If so, I apologize to everyone involved. It wasn't on purpose...
So why angular? Because Saab alludes to the big, famous car clock at all. The Tag Heuer Monaco from the 1970s, which from Saab's point of view were the decisive turbo years. So square, not round, and cars and watches share a common culture when you recognize them.
Interesting hint (learned something again), without which, in my opinion, you have to muster a lot of imagination to assume a resemblance to the Tag Heuer Monaco. Their ingenious design has a square case, but of course a round dial. This combination and this contrast make them so successful, and of course the hands reach up to the scale of the dial. Therefore, without this interesting or surprising hint and without this background knowledge, the connection intended by the designer unfortunately does not result in my opinion. Be that as it may, for my part I don't see any resemblance, but beauty is always in the eye of the beholder and, as is well known, there is no arguing about taste. Even among us Saab fans, tastes regarding the beauty of the individual Saab models differ widely. So why not also with such merchandising articles? I waited with my comment until well after the end of the auction and probably wouldn't have said anything more about it without the previous commentator, I was just surprised about the design. But the happy new owner will certainly know the background and will be happy about his exclusive piece - as will the charitable organization in particular about a further donation of 350 euros. 🙂
It's about the basic shape of the case, about bridging the gap between a sporty watch from 2008 and the 70s. It goes without saying that a quartz watch is built very differently from a mechanical one. And the fact that it remains square and not round is the freedom of the designer. I would have just wished for a little sensitivity and historical analysis before writing destructively.
It's a shame that a collector's item is being hit with a hammer. It's so rare that most people here didn't even know it existed.
Normally, such a rarity should have raised more money for a good cause, which is my feeling. But clock sunk and talked really bad. Sad for Tom and all the work he puts into this.
I just looked at the timeline again and unfortunately everything you say is true...
Although I didn't comment on this article and the watch until the next day, apparently before the end of the auction...
Possibly with an unintended impact on the proceeds of this great campaign for a good cause? That would be really sad and the comment at the wrong time is infinitely embarrassing to me. I just hope that he may not have had any influence and sign every word of your comment individually.
Thank you for looking!
Apparently made a criminal offense of blasphemy, but...
….Apologies for what?
The initial comment contains your opinion, whether you share it is on another paper.
I'm also not aware of any instances where background information changes tastes.
So take a deep breath!
I think it's a rumor that a comment significantly affects the proceeds of the watch.
Everyone was free to leave a positive comment (promptly).
For me the discussion is over.
I accidentally commented on the design before the end of the auction. I didn't want that at all and I don't want any advocates for it either....
It's enough for me if you believe my carelessness and ideally forgive me.
Incidentally, I have not retracted my opinion on the watch in any comments, and I deliberately did not respond to the instruction. What for?
I accidentally made a mistake that has destructive potential. I can't and don't want to talk my way out of that.
Don't get me wrong, I saw and see no fault with you.
It was just a comment, so I can't understand the indignation 😉
I agree with F. Weber.
Before the end of the auction for a good cause, such comments on collector's items are prohibited. Whether a criticism of a design is well-founded or not...
The entire discussion simply does not belong here and would have to be conducted separately. I see a mistake there.
The "indignation", as you call it, was, in my opinion, within the limits of legitimate and constructive criticism, which I also accept ...
But thanks anyway for putting my mistake into perspective and not thinking it too dramatic. I feel better when I know that my untimely comment can also be taken lightly.