The Watch Appreciation Thread (Reviews and Photos of Men's Timepieces by Rolex, Patek Philippe, Brei

[gdl203]

My advice is : don't get too anal about scratching your case. It will happen at some point or another, nicks too. So maybe the right thing to do is just to get it out of the way and scratch those lugs on the first strap change - you'll feel much more relaxed afterwards...


Also, light scratches are pretty easy to buff out so don't worry

 

[Singular]

It's not the tool that scratches - it's the spring bars. If you're anal about scratches, use tape to cover the back of the lugs when playing with straps/bracelet.

/M

 

[Cant kill da Rooster]



If I wanted a cheap military inspired watch I'd go for a Timex Expedition or a Victorinox. Moving upward, then Stowa and Sinn.

Have you considered a generic milsub? MKII or Orange Watch Company?


Bell & Ross looks good but costs too much IMHO.



And thanks to gdl for the quick response to my earlier Q! I like some Speake Marin designs but those lugs...

whoa...I definitely did not say cheap. I've been looking for a vintage one to be honest, however, have seen the Bell & Ross and liked the look of it. I posted to see how it stacked up against the cheaper Sinn because I knew that most here would consider more than just looks. Seems like most think Sinn is the better buy. If I were to go cheaper, just to get the look I would seriously consider Steinhart as well.

 

[gdl203]

Out of these two, I prefer the design of the B&R. But I would prefer to own a Sinn than a B&R. Which is weird because I own a B&R which is a Sinn....

Anyhow, if you stacked the B&R next to a 356, I would have voted Sinn without a doubt

 

[Cuttingboard]



Out of these two, I prefer the design of the B&R. But I would prefer to own a Sinn than a B&R. Which is weird because I own a B&R which is a Sinn....

Anyhow, if you stacked the B&R next to a 356, I would have voted Sinn without a doubt

I need a casual watch...may have to give this some serious consideration. Where's the best place to buy?

 

[Warren G.]



are there spring bar tools made of plastic or something else non-scratchy? I finally bit the bullet on my speedy (waiting for it to ship from the seller on TRF... hopefully have it in hand friday) and I know I'm going to want to play with the bracelet, some straps, and maybe a NATO. I'm desperately afraid of scratching my new purchase though.

Congrats on the Speedy. You bought Rpcody's speedy? I was eyeing that listing..I almost pull the trigger.

 

[Newcomer]



I need a casual watch...may have to give this some serious consideration. Where's the best place to buy?

I like watchbuys.com.

 

[Kid Nickels]

I found this at one of my local guy's shop the other day. I believe it's early, mid-80's. I'm not Ka-Ray-Zee about the white dial but it's super clean, almost like-new and pretty cheap. Might be nice to grab for an extra in the rotation.... thoughts or info from any of you knowledgeable sages out there?? Thanks!

 

[Cylon]

whoa...I definitely did not say cheap. I've been looking for a vintage one to be honest, however, have seen the Bell & Ross and liked the look of it. I posted to see how it stacked up against the cheaper Sinn because I knew that most here would consider more than just looks. Seems like most think Sinn is the better buy. If I were to go cheaper, just to get the look I would seriously consider Steinhart as well.

Didn't mean to imply that you were looking for a cheap watch. I was just offering a broader perspective--from low end to progressively higher. Nothing wrong w those watches per se. It all depends on what you are looking for. I'm probably going to buy a stowa flieger and a generic milsub at some point and thought you might like to look in that direction if you hadnt considered it already. Or even a steinhart...I don't know I think I just have a hang up regarding watches I would consider "casual." I dont ever see myself dropping a few thousand on a B&R. There are plenty of other bargains out there at the moment. Some older grande taille reversos or master controls for 3-4k or a rolex explorer for around the same. I'd take those any day of the week over some B&R or Tag Heuer.


In other news, I almost put money down on the 2012 TT reverso yesterday after reading the hodinkee post. Called the boutique and everything. A cooler head prevailed, however. Don't tell my wife but I think i'm saving up for the new panomaticlunar

+

I was eyeing the panoreserve first because I already have a moonphase, but the caseback on the manual wind is slightly disappointing. The rotor on the automatic coupled with the double swan neck decoration...fapfapfap

And another aside: where did all the old OG's come from? Kid Nickels, Newcomer, Cuttingboard, WarrenG, gdl203, and even singular shows up? HAI GUYS

 

[Newcomer]

Haha, I completely agree Cyclon. The new PML will "eventually" be mine. The way that I look at it, is as nice as the Reverso is, I personally like the "standard" ultra thin version better. I really just don't get that strap. And the whole aged lume isn't really my thing anyways.

The new PML is just wonderful. I wish it was 39, maybe 37mm even, but 40mm does not bother me in the least.

 

[Cylon]

I agree. I like the standard edition too, but gdl203 made a valid point too regarding the patina. I dont know how I feel about it. And if I dont ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT then I shouldnt really be buying it right? If im not getting a decorated open caseback and a complication for ~8k...then sorry. Too many other good brands out there to choose from. It's one of the big reasons I dont particularly care for rolex ATM. Sure, they make nice watches and I respect their contributions to the watch industry but it seems like theyve been riding their history more than anything else right now (and why id consider a vintage 5513 before anything else--the new datejust II looks pretty sweet with its smooth bezel though). Tudor showed them up this year, though surely Rolex used their offerings as a test case.

 

[HRoi]

you guys and me both. i was actually gonna get a PML this month, but....taxes happened (had to pay more than originally anticipated)

 

[Cylon]

Twas a sign: wait for the new one my friend

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=tree&goto=6126283&rid=0

 

[Newcomer]



I agree. I like the standard edition too, but gdl203 made a valid point too regarding the patina. I dont know how I feel about it. And if I dont ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT then I shouldnt really be buying it right? If im not getting a decorated open caseback and a complication for ~8k...then sorry. Too many other good brands out there to choose from. It's one of the big reasons I dont particularly care for rolex ATM. Sure, they make nice watches and I respect their contributions to the watch industry but it seems like theyve been riding their history more than anything else right now (and why id consider a vintage 5513 before anything else--the new datejust II looks pretty sweet with its smooth bezel though). Tudor showed them up this year, though surely Rolex used their offerings as a test case.

I really think that is the crux of the matter. If the patina is not a driving point for you, then I really don't think that it is worth it. Personally, I don't really care for the hands too much on the limited editions either. And this is all coming from someone who is a HUGE Reverso fan. If I am going to be doling out that much cash for a watch, I guess I just want it to be a bit more "pure" if that makes sense. In the same light, I couldn't see myself doling out that much cash for a Bronzo PAM, or one of the "aged" Panerai vault designs. Vintage patina just seems like cheating. And the thing is, we really don't know how the watches of today will develop patina. I am sure that in the mid-80s, Rolex did not think that their black dialed Explorers would be crazed, or railed, or whatever those Rolex kids call it.

When it comes to vintage, I think that you either have to go vintage, or go for something like the Tudor Heritage Black Bay--something 'inspired' from a former era.

To be honest, I think that the attraction of these limited editions is that they are, in fact, limited--incredibly so. I read that article on Hodinkee the other day as well, and I was incredibly enticed by it. However, one has to wonder how much of the attraction is due to the fact that only 100 other people worldwide will have that watch on their wrist.

And Rolex... well, I just don't get it. At least their current models. I do agree with you on the new DJII though. Rolex's new models seem to traverse the line between tool and dress. I think that are better at doing one or the other. For what it is worth, I have developed something of a hankering for vintage Rollies. The 1016 Explorer, to be exact. That seems like a dangerous path to traverse, however.

 

[Warren G.]



Twas a sign: wait for the new one my friend 

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=tree&goto=6126283&rid=0

still loving that PanoReserve