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

[mimo]

Forex - nice as it is!

Stitch - you've just made a great advertisement for the Squadra! And the Panny doesn't look bad either.


RN -

The 346 is the most expensive, about $13-14k I think. But if I wanted a more understated diver's watch to wear with anything, I'd maybe get a Seamaster or a Submariner for a lot less dough. I just don't see the point of making a 45mm dive watch and then trying to make it subtle. The only thing I really loved about it was the matte brown dial. That really appeals to me.

The 323 I get. It's huge but doesn't feel it, and yet it looks like a "real" Panerai to me; I think it might be surprisingly easy to live with. It's about a grand or so cheaper than the 346 if I recall correctly.

But I really loved that PR indicator on the 423, because for me, the OP small seconds needs something to balance it. I find the odd juxtaposition but similar style of the PR just perfect for that. If it had the brown dial too it would be sensational, but the "dirty" lume is almost as good. Of them all, the 423 stole my heart I think. Each to his own! (And I agree, Stitchy!)

 

[qubed]

the 423 is my least favorite. I've never liked OP's PR indicators on the dial for the most part. It just looks off.

I agree. I think it's just a poor choice of font/kerning for the words "Power Reserve". Every time I see it, I think it was designed in Microsoft Word.

 

[rnguy001]

that strap is so nice, Stitch. Love the color, pattern, and it goes great with that superb Reverso

well done on all accounts

Mimo - even though it's technically a dive watch, most would agree the Rads are more suited to casual affair. If you see it that way, I think most of these Rads make great casual watches. There's just no way I could lump Radiomirs in the same category as the Seamster and Submariner, etc. Panerai do make proper sportier/dive watches that I think are unabashedly "DIVER-esque". For the Rads we just have to remove that 'dive watch' tag from our brain

Though, it's got good WR for completeness sake!

 

[in stitches]



^^^^ SWEET!

that strap is so nice, Stitch. Love the color, pattern, and it goes great with that superb Reverso well done on all accounts

Stitch - you've just made a great advertisement for the Squadra! And the Panny doesn't look bad either.

thanks, guys! much appreciated.

But I really loved that PR indicator on the 423, because for me, the OP small seconds needs something to balance it. I find the odd juxtaposition but similar style of the PR just perfect for that. If it had the brown dial too it would be sensational, but the "dirty" lume is almost as good. Of them all, the 423 stole my heart I think. Each to his own! (And I agree, Stitchy!)

EXACTLY!!!!

 

[Dino944]

By the way, I tried the Tank Solo on today. It was very nice on the wrist, but I can't help but think that I would rather have a Reverso on my wrist. Particularly, the 1931. So I am leaning more towards that now. Time to start saving money for a supplement

.

Waiting for my Coke bezel to put on this, what is next?

Very nice. Brings back lots of good memories of my first Rolex, a black bezel GMT in the 1980s.

 

[Dino944]

as promised, some pics of the "new" watch. iphone pics though, hope to get some DSLR action on monday.

hope you guys enjoy!

The new strap looks fantastic on the Reverso. Enjoy it.

 

[Cylon]

hanky looks awesome too!!

also agreed about reverso v tank

no comparison, but neither is the price.

 

[in stitches]



The new strap looks fantastic on the Reverso.  Enjoy it.

thanks, dino! i plan on it.

hanky looks awesome too!!

INORITE!!! it makes a great backdrop. best use of a PS all time.

 

[Khal80]

Stitch- the strap you put on the watch is perfect

As a noob, im surprised that a few cartier watches get love on the this forum. Without knowing, I thought Cartier would be a brand that would be taboo

Since it has been suggested to look into used/vintage watches to find something under 4K, anyone recommend any stores or websites that are trusted and have a good selection?

 

[ChicagoRon]



Stitch- the strap you put on the watch is perfect

As a noob, im surprised that a few cartier watches get love on the this forum.  Without knowing, I thought Cartier would be a brand that would be taboo

Since it has been suggested to look into used/vintage watches to find something under 4K, anyone recommend any stores or websites that are trusted and have a good selection?

This old article from Departures has some good suggestions, especially if you are in the NYC area.

http://www.departures.com/articles/in-search-of-the-perfect-vintage-watch

 

[Hayward]

Mimo - I have to admit the Luminors have an appeal. They certainly look better to me that the main Panerai models. I understand some are smaller?

Stitch - The strap on the Squadra appears to be upside down - personal preference or is that the way you do it with deployants?

 

[in stitches]



Stitch - The strap on the Squadra appears to be upside down - personal preference or is that the way you do it with deployants?

that is the way it is done. tang straps, long portion on bottom, deployants, long portion on top. that way the buckle closes the way it would as if it were tang, and not upside down.

that is how they come from manufacturer as well. certainly you can put one on the other way, but this way is technically correct and i think it looks better too and is more properly proportioned on the wrist.

Stitch- the strap you put on the watch is perfect

thanks!

As a noob, im surprised that a few cartier watches get love on the this forum.  Without knowing, I thought Cartier would be a brand that would be taboo

Since it has been suggested to look into used/vintage watches to find something under 4K, anyone recommend any stores or websites that are trusted and have a good selection?

while there are many who do view cartier as a jewelry maker not a real watch maker, they do have a long history in watches and really have stepped up their game over the past 5-7 years or so. they have some beautiful models as they are a master of design and some great movements as well. both sourced and in house.

tool around on chrono24 if you are looking for used/vintage pieces.

 

[Dino944]

As a noob, im surprised that a few cartier watches get love on the this forum. Without knowing, I thought Cartier would be a brand that would be taboo

Hi Khal,

I think there is an unfortunate tendency for people to dismiss Cartier as being a jewelry brand that makes some watches. Yes, its true they are famous for the jewelry, however they have a long and rich history of producing some fantastic and complicated watches and clocks (I have previously posted a very lengthy post on this but it would probably take me a month to find it). They were producing wristwatches before companies like Rolex, Piaget, and several other respected brands even existed. Back in the 1920s and 1930s they were making minute repeater wristwatches, perpetual calendar wristwatches, single pusher chronographs, and other very creative watches, and I've read they invented the deployant clasp.

When it comes to Cartier's various models, just as with IWC, Omega, and others, not all of their watches are equally. Cartier has entry level models with basic ETA based movements, there are/have been watches with high grade movements from THA, F.Piguet, Piaget, JLC, and then there are some movements made completely in house.

As with any brand there are some Cartier watches I adore and some I could live without. However, I could make the same statement about Rolex, VC, AP, Patek, Lange, Piaget, JLC, Panerai, Breguet, Omega, Breitling, IWC or just about any other brand you can think of. Whether one likes Cartier or not, there is no denying they have produced an impressive collection of watches that have made a strong impact in the world of horology. As I've said frequently...no one brand can be everything to everyone.

If you remotely have an interest in them, they say now is the time to pick up a nice vintage piece or something from their now retired Privee collection. Their vintage piece have become more sought after in recent years.

 

[Devoti]

 

[in stitches]



Stitches,
That's a really nice band. May I ask where you got it?

thanks, D! i got it from a jewelry/watch guy in FL that we do a lot of business with with, who ordered it from an AD for me, who ordered it from JLC in swisslandz. i got a bit of a discount, he sold it to me at his cost as favor to a friend, but even so, the discount was not huge. accessories are not to sold to ADs from the manufatures at near the % cost that the actual watches are.