ERA Prometheus Watch Review – The Ultimate Tourbillon Watch?

If you have been living under a rock lately, ERA Timepieces is a watch company that aims to make Haute Horlogerie more accessible to the public by bringing down the price without sacrificing the quality, design, and functionality from the watch.

It’s little known to many that the luxury watch brands we all know and love like Omega, Breitling, JLC, Rolex and many more are owned and run by big multinational firms with multiple brands under their umbrella.

Era’s Kickstarter presentation video calls out the entire watch industry for being responsible for keeping regular Joes from purchasing a high-quality tourbillon.

ERA Timepieces has stepped up against the “luxury watch cartel”, giving everyone the chance to own a tourbillon watch.

The company came up with their first iconic model called the Prometheus which was successfully funded through by Kickstarter in 2018.

ERA’s tag line “the millionaire watch” has created some controversy among watch enthusiasts, yet many are praising ERA’s bold move to make this level of quality watchmaking at an affordable price so everyone can enjoy it.

What’s not to be impressed about?

they’re offering an elegant skeleton tourbillion watch under $1500, an affordable option compared to the high luxury brands that range from $15,000 to $100,000 for the same thing.

I reached out to Micheal the CEO at ERA to send me one for review, and he was so kind to send me one Prometheus.

Even the The Time Teller did a full-fledged review on it which I highly recommend watching.

So if you like the intricate complications of a Tourbillion “millionaire watch” that’s usually reserved for the elite, then stick around and read the full review.

The ERA Prometheus

The ERA Prometheus measures 44mm wide and around 13mm thick.

the Regular version has a case made of 316L stainless steel.

They also have a premium choice called the Titan edition which features platinum and 78+ diamonds weighing 2.3+ carats around the bezel.

The skeletonized dial is covered with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal treated with anti-reflective coating to improve the visibility of the watch face.

It also has an exhibition case back to accentuate the intricate design and manual wind movement.

You have the option to get a stainless steel bracelet or the choice of leather straps upon making the purchase.

The Hornback-style, genuine leather strap with double-stitched threading on the seams is available in a variety of different colors to fit your personality and taste.

Both the stainless steel and leather variant features a custom-made ERA butterfly clasp.

The ERA Prometheus is water-resistant up to 50 meters and is ideal for splash resistance however, I don’t think it would be a good idea to take a swim with this watch on.

To add to the luxurious feel of the tourbillion watch, the ERA Prometheus is normally packaged with a custom-made box made of wood with a polished luxurious finish.

It has a lock emblazoned with the iconic Promethean torch.

Except I got the compact leather case version with leather outside and a green suede interior which I do like.

The ERA Prometheus is covered with a 2-year international warranty.

The package comes with a warranty card and a certificate of authenticity.

Design and Movement

The ERA Prometheus presents a skeletonized dial with lumed hands and hour markers to help improve visibility in low-light conditions.

It has a 24-hour GMT subdial and a sun/moon subdial on the 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock positions, respectively.

The centerpiece is the tourbillion complication on the 6 o’clock position that constantly oscillates to keep the watch running.

There are 2 editions of the Prometheus model: the basic one and the Titan edition.

The main difference is the embellishment on the Titan edition which consists of 78 diamonds adorning the bezel and the lugs, making up a total of 2.3 carats.

The diamonds are all round cuts with VS1 clarity and GH color.

Both the basic and the Titan edition of the Prometheus model are powered by a 20-jewel, calibre HZ3360A self-winding movement with a frequency of 28,000 vph.

Its precision has been tested to be around the -/+ 10 seconds range.

The ERA Prometheus is for enthusiasts who want to own a tourbillion watch but can’t afford to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Presenting it on a skeletonized dial and adding a few complications make this timepiece a stunning piece that will have you mesmerized.

Its not exactly my style of watch, however, I can see this been worn on special and dressier occasions that will capture the attention many.

Pros and Cons

Here are the advantages and disadvantages you can expect from the ERA Prometheus model:

Pros

  • Luminescent on the hands, hour markers and 24 hour subdial
  • The leather strap feels soft and comfortable to wear
  • Affordable price for a tourbillion watch
  • Power reserve of up to 35 hours
  • Water resistant up to 50m

Cons

  • Time can be hard to read
  • Not an everyday wearer for most situations, but it certainly has its place

Conclusion

Every time I put on the ERA Prometheus it has drawn the attention onlookers at cafes who caught a glimpse of the spinning tourbillion, even sparking conversation with new people that have ultimately turned into new friendships to geek out on watches.

Skeleton watches are not my thing, however this piece certainly makes a statement without the 5+ figure price tag.

However, I am secretly hoping that ERA will come up with a toned down and more classic design of this so many others can enjoy the beauties of the tourbillon.

The basic edition is priced at $1,500 while the Titan edition will cost you $6,500.

It might be a bit high for the typical buyer but if you know how much a tourbillion watch from brands like IWC, Breguet, JLC, and Cartier costs, you’ll say that the ERA Prometheus is a steal.

If you prefer the intricate design presented by a skeleton watch with a genuine tourbillion movement, the ERA Prometheus should be at the top of your choices.

You can’t go wrong with its affordable price, quality construction, and excellent after-sales service.

Click here to learn more about the ERA Timepieces Prometheus here

 

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