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

[rnguy001]

I've bought several watches from Govberg in Philly - hard to beat their service (or discounts)

that is sensible. govberg has a few stores here, i know some good people that work there. good company in my experience. worth waiting if you dont have a dealer there that you think is as good or better.
lawlz

 

[Cylon]

Just wanted to follow-up this comment with a picture, even if it isnt mine. Anyone have thoughts on this JLC?

Only thing I hate about this watch is the asymmetrical year function tucked away at the top there

 

[Dino944]

Just wanted to follow-up this comment with a picture, even if it isnt mine. Anyone have thoughts on this JLC?

Are you thinking about new or used for that one? Its possible they made some improvements to its movement if you are considering a current model. My Dad considered one back in 2003/2004. However, our local AD hated that watch. The few that they sold always came back with problems. He said all the other JLCs they sold were reliable and trouble free, but the old Master Perpetual Calendar had issues. I don't know if they eventually made some changes that resolved problems with that watch.

 

[Dino944]

though this was neat so im sharing it.

a coin?



here you can see the faint lines of the push button...

noap! a watch!

Neat watch. I've seen them made by a few companies. Years ago Vacheron was making them. Not sure if they still do.

 

[in stitches]



Id be worried that id spend it on the vending machine eating twinkies.

I've bought several watches from Govberg in Philly - hard to beat their service (or discounts)

cool. remember who you dealt with?

Neat watch.  I've seen them made by a few companies.  Years ago Vacheron was making them.  Not sure if they still do.

thanks. not sure how it works. i am pretty sure its illegal, at least with US currency, to alter it like that.

 

[Axelman 17]



Are you thinking about new or used for that one?  Its possible they made some improvements to its movement if you are considering a current model.  My Dad considered one back in 2003/2004.  However, our local AD hated that watch. The few that they sold always came back with problems.  He said all the other JLCs they sold were reliable and trouble free, but the old Master Perpetual Calendar had issues.  I don't know if they eventually made some changes that resolved problems with that watch.   

Good to know, thanks Dino. I was considering getting a used The current master calendar does not appeal to me. I find that a number of the master series updates are inferior to their earlier vintages.

 

[Dino944]

Good to know, thanks Dino. I was considering getting a used The current master calendar does not appeal to me. I find that a number of the master series updates are inferior to their earlier vintages.

No problem Axel. I'd hate to see one of our SF regulars stuck with an unreliable watch. As I had mentioned, my Father considered one years ago as they seemed like a bargain for a perpetual calendar. However, once we heard about their issues, and I did a bit of online research back then, he nixed that watch and chose a different model.

Good luck on the search for your next watch!

 

[Dino944]

not sure how it works. i am pretty sure its illegal, at least with US currency, to alter it like that.

Not sure about the details, however Corum's coin watch is still on its website. Its a bit different in that unlike the one you guys have, or the VC version, Corum's coin watch does not open to reveal a watch. The coin is the watch case housing the movement, and the coin's surface is the dial of the watch. http://www.corum.ch/site/#/COLLECTION/WATCHCHAPTER/232

 

[benjamin831]

What do you guys think? I'm leaning towards the gray ruthenium colorway but afraid that it'll be less versatile over the long-term. Decisions decisions...

 

[Axelman 17]

Not loving the grey. Color looks very dark and too monochromatic.

 

[Newcomer]

I would go with the cream / ivory dial. I have heard that it is wise to try it on in-shop before making a purchase on that model .

 

[apropos]



Neat watch.  I've seen them made by a few companies.  Years ago Vacheron was making them.  Not sure if they still do.

cool. remember who you dealt with?
thanks. not sure how it works. i am pretty sure its illegal, at least with US currency, to alter it like that.

Not sure about the details, however Corum's coin watch is still on its website.  Its a bit different in that unlike the one you guys have, or the VC version, Corum's coin watch does not open to reveal a watch.  The coin is the watch case housing the movement, and the coin's surface is the dial of the watch. http://www.corum.ch/site/#/COLLECTION/WATCHCHAPTER/232

I have the Corum coin watch, which was a gift from my dad on my 21st birthday.

My dad has a Piaget coin watch, which looks almost identical to earlier posted (hidden watch) example except it has lugs soldered on and is mounted on a strap. Dino is right, VC made coin watches and I think also Audemars Piguet.

When I first got my coin watch I will admit that being the precocious prick I was (and likely still am) I was a little less than utterly overwhelmed with gratitude. I thought it even a tad... cheesy.

Over time I've come to develop an appreciation for the watch - and the thought that went into purchasing it in my instance.

Unlike a new watch where really the only thing you can realistically nitpick over is the serial number (i.e. wanting a *nice* or "lucky" serial number), every coin watch - by virtue of the fact that it once was actual circulating currency - is different.

It's like picking from a crop of vintage watches - some are overpolished, others not. Some have marks to the "coin bezel". Others have strange marks on the face or reverse. Others are struck with presumably worn stampers and markings are less pronounced. The stamped year is also different.

My dad apparently went to nearly a dozen Corum ADs in 7 different countries in his search for "the" coin watch for me.

So some years on, the coin watch does duty now as my "black tie" watch. It actually works well as my cufflinks are matching YG-onyx barbells and the watch is very flat - and dare I say it - elegant. Which is of course essential in the context of black tie. Not a single person has commented on it because it honestly is not very noticeable.

As a bonus, the Piaget has IIRC an inhouse movement and the Corum coin watch has an AP movement. Well, mine does anyway - they have quartz movement versions as well.

Re: the legality - it was explained to me by Piaget that it is illegal to alter US currency in the USA. Hence the coins are hollowed out in Switzerland, and all the necessary thing-a-majigs are done there, and they can be safely sold in the USA.

I have bad photos of both watches for insurance purposes, will dig them out if anyone is interested.

 

[Dino944]

What do you guys think? I'm leaning towards the gray ruthenium colorway but afraid that it'll be less versatile over the long-term. Decisions decisions...

I don't care for the gray. As Axel said its too monochromatic. I prefer the silver dial with blue hands and blue moonphase...they add some color and life the design.

I have the Corum coin watch, which was a gift from my dad on my 21st birthday.

My dad has a Piaget coin watch, which looks almost identical to earlier posted (hidden watch) example except it has lugs soldered on and is mounted on a strap. Dino is right, VC made coin watches and I think also Audemars Piguet.

My dad apparently went to nearly a dozen Corum ADs in 7 different countries in his search for "the" coin watch for me.

So some years on, the coin watch does duty now as my "black tie" watch. It actually works well as my cufflinks are matching YG-onyx barbells and the watch is very flat - and dare I say it - elegant. Which is of course essential in the context of black tie. Not a single person has commented on it because it honestly is not very noticeable.

As a bonus, the Piaget has IIRC an inhouse movement and the Corum coin watch has an AP movement. Well, mine does anyway - they have quartz movement versions as well.

Re: the legality - it was explained to me by Piaget that it is illegal to alter US currency in the USA. Hence the coins are hollowed out in Switzerland, and all the necessary thing-a-majigs are done there, and they can be safely sold in the USA.

I have bad photos of both watches for insurance purposes, will dig them out if anyone is interested.

Ah...Piaget...I knew there was a brand escaping my mind that had made coin watches.

I'm glad you came to appreciate the effort your Dad put into finding you the right coin watch. As you stated, they are interesting in that every coin watch is a bit different. The textured surface and coin edging also keeps the watch from easily showing wear such as hairline scratches or scuff marks, which frequently seen on polished gold surfaces.

The Piaget coin watch does use an inhouse movement. Piaget makes all of their watch movements and on occasion they supply movements to sister companies such as Cartier.

Your Corum coin watch does not use an Audemars Piguet movement, but you are sort of close. It actually uses a Frederic Piguet movement. F. Piguet is a very fine movement maker and has supplied movements to Audemars Piguet for its Royal Oak chronograph, to VC for some of their dress watches and for their Overseas Chronograph, to Cartier for their 38mm Pasha chronograph, and to a few other fine companies. So again you were close.

Interesting how Piaget or Corum get around "damaging" US currency as all of their work in turning a coin into a watch is done with a supply of coins that are in Switzerland. Not surprising as I was under the impression the US had taken their own supply gold coins out of circulation back when FDR was in office.

Definitely, share a picture of your Corum with us. Its an interesting part of watch history and something we don't often see. Its been several years since I've seen one in person.

 

[depechedior]

Been a while so I thought I'd share...

 

[apropos]



 I don't care for the gray.  As Axel said its too monochromatic.  I prefer the silver dial with blue hands and blue moonphase...they add some color and life the design.
 Ah...Piaget...I knew there was a brand escaping my mind that had made coin watches. 

I'm glad you came to appreciate the effort your Dad put into finding you the right coin watch.  As you stated, they are interesting in that every coin watch is a bit different.  The textured surface and coin edging also keeps the watch from easily showing wear such as hairline scratches or scuff marks, which frequently seen on polished gold surfaces.

The Piaget coin watch does use an inhouse movement.  Piaget makes all of their watch movements and on occasion they supply movements to sister companies such as Cartier.

Your Corum coin watch does not use an Audemars Piguet movement, but you are sort of close.  It actually uses a Frederic Piguet movement.  F. Piguet is a very fine movement maker and has supplied movements to Audemars Piguet for its Royal Oak chronograph, to VC for some of their dress watches and for their Overseas Chronograph, to Cartier for their 38mm Pasha chronograph, and to a few other fine companies.  So again you were close.

Interesting how Piaget or Corum get around "damaging" US currency as all of their work in turning a coin into a watch is done with a supply of coins that are in Switzerland.  Not surprising as I was under the impression the US had taken their own supply gold coins out of circulation back when FDR was in office.

Definitely, share a picture of your Corum with us.  Its an interesting part of watch history and something we don't often see.  Its been several years since I've seen one in person. 

You are of course correct, it is a FP movement, not an AP movment.

(bad photo warning)

Here is the Corum...

...and the Piaget.

Aside from the coin watch, IMO the only other interesting watch Corum makes is the golden bridge, but then again it's not to my taste in the currently available iterations.