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

[scottcw]



What is this?

A Roland G. Murphy (RGM) Model 22 they did as a limited edition for the Equation of Time website.

Sidling up to my OuJ...

 

[Dino944]

[/URL]

Hi guys,
I'm new the the forum. This is my fathers Breitling circa 1940 I just had restored.

Hi Liam, welcome. Thanks for sharing a photo of your father's Breitling. What a great keepsake. I'm sure it has lots of good memories. Enjoy it.

I do have a thing for the Germans. But not necessarily the top of the price range - the Tourbograph is awesome, but I think I'd be very happy with this: I do like the combination of perpetual calendar and chrono. The tourbillon's a novelty, but would I really ever leave the house with a $500k watch? I think I would actually want to wear this instead of guard it with a shotgun, even at $150k-ish.

Of course a Patek 5004 or a Breguet minute repeater or an AP tourbillon or any number of others would be right up there. But I think that is then the point: I don't have a collection to speak of. And rather than one watch for hundreds of thousands, if I had to spend the price of a house on watches, I think I'd rather have a few. And even though Dino doesn't like it (!), a used Langematik Perpetual for about $50k would be almost as good for my personal joy. After that, the returns diminish very quickly, so I'll take that, an up-down Datograph with stick markers, and a Lange 1 Time Zone, all in platinum. And still have change from the one above for a plain black no-date Submariner, a few scratches not a problem...

For me, when it comes to Langes the ones that really do it for me are the Lange 1 and a few of their variations. The Datographs, have just never been my thing. I find the mix of sticks, Romans, and Arabic numerals annoying. I can live with all Arabics or sticks and Arabics, but I find Sticks, Arabic, and Romans just too much. I also find Romans a bit too formal on a chronograph, which even in their dressiest forms are really sporty watches by nature. In my eyes PP's 5070 and VC's Historique Chronographs are more appealing choices, but to each his own.

interesting. i quite like the windows on the 5207. particularly the symmetry. different strokes i guess. odd because we are so often on the same page.

No worries Stitchy. You and I usually see eye to eye on some many pieces, just look at it that the 5207 is so limited in production, that I'll step aside so and I won't have to fight over it. Afterall, your recent photo of the Blue/Black GMT Master has helped renew my interest and Mimo's in that watch, such that he says the steel cage match is back on for that one. So look out gents...

 

[no frills]

Frilly, your obsession with skinny blonde women I do not share. But I wonder if it's something to do with the subdials? Then again, you do "associate" quite a lot of things with women of this type.

Stitchy, I too tried the 5159 a while back - I think it was the only man's watch in the new PP boutique! The size is OK for me, perhaps because I wear a slightly smaller one most of the time. But one thing I loved was the caseback cover. Gave it a beautiful feel in my hand...like a golden Strepsil! But not much love on here for this model - don't get Belligero started on fonts...quick..hide it before he gets here...

Okay, just so you don't think I'm too one-dimensional, here's a shot of some non-blondes sporting one of my pieces, the Explorer 114270.



Looks good on her, 'no? Oh, wait - I missed on the "skinny" part, these young women are still a bit svelte...

The 5159 is listed as 38mm but I find the dial a bit too ornate for my tastes. Between the 5159 and its immediate predecessor, the 5059, I prefer the "flatter" enamel-like dial of the 5059. But that's even smaller at only 36mm! Wears a bit larger though because of its height (around 13mm) and officer's case (check the longer lugs, larger crown):

 

[Kai]

I'm trying hard to resist buying an RGM.

You are not helping.

A Roland G. Murphy (RGM) Model 22 they did as a limited edition for the Equation of Time website.

Sidling up to my OuJ...

 

[Newcomer]

RGM looks great Scott. I appreciate your diverse tastes in watches. A very interesting duo you have there!

 

[Dino944]

Okay, just so you don't think I'm too one-dimensional, here's a shot of some non-blondes sporting one of my pieces, the Explorer 114270.



Looks good on her, 'no? Oh, wait - I missed on the "skinny" part, these young women are still a bit svelte...

The 5159 is listed as 38mm but I find the dial a bit too ornate for my tastes. Between the 5159 and its immediate predecessor, the 5059, I prefer the "flatter" enamel-like dial of the 5059. But that's even smaller at only 36mm! Wears a bit larger though because of its height (around 13mm) and officer's case (check the longer lugs, larger crown):

Frills, nice to see you don't mind attractive brunettes wearing good watches.

As for the 5059 and the 5159, I agree on the dial. I prefer the classic flatter dial of the 5059...I find the 5159's dial a bit too fussy.

 

[apropos]

Some nice watches on this thread recently.

Oh, and nice looking females too.

Something that might help kill time for members here: http://www.youtube.com/user/FondationHH/videos?sort=da&view=0&flow=grid

Especially interesting are the earlier artisan series of videos - Engraver, Dialmaker, Guillocher, etc

A Roland G. Murphy (RGM) Model 22 they did as a limited edition for the Equation of Time website.

Sidling up to my OuJ...

I like it that you have elected to take the path less traveled in growing your watch collection. Many happy returns!

 

[Devoti]

Welcome Liam,

You have a beautiful watch, nice job on the restore, that has to be for me one of the nicer Breitling's, very clean and not too busy. Your father has good taste. Cheers

[/URL]

Hi guys,
I'm new the the forum. This is my fathers Breitling circa 1940 I just had restored.

 

[mimo]

^^ +1 Nice work, Liam, that looks really classy.

The Datographs, have just never been my thing. I find the mix of sticks, Romans, and Arabic numerals annoying. Patek 5070 or VC's Historique Chronographs are more appealing

I remember this discussion about other Langes before, but the "up-down" Datograph is all sticks, and a bit tidier for it (and the one on my wish list). The Langematik Perpetual is the kind of busy I could really love, though: Roman and a couple of chopped sticks? She's still beautiful to me.



As for the Lange 1, it's too "perfectly asymmetric" for me (as we also discussed recently), so it needs a quirk to be perfect. The Time Zone (my top pick, and Kai's recent baller pick-up!), and the moonphase, have enough irregularity to be wonderful. Or back in super-baller six figure land, the Lange 1 Tourbillon, and the differently awesome Lange 31. They're all just that little bit more interesting than the other Lange 1s to me.








I can't argue that the 5070 or the Historique chrono are lovely. I adore the VC, and used it's relatively accessible. Not something that can be said about the 5070 though. But Frilly should buy one, probably.

Okay, just so you don't think I'm too one-dimensional, here's a shot of some non-blondes sporting one of my pieces, the Explorer 114270.

I think I once had a dream where I was that watch. And even buttocks that small are probably OK when they arrive in sixes.

I'm trying hard to resist buying an RGM.

Given the other wonders you've shown off here, one has to ask: why resist?

RGM looks great Scott. I appreciate your diverse tastes in watches. A very interesting duo you have there!

Definitely a top contributor! All sorts of interesting variations on the standards, and it's sometimes more inspiring to see what's out there and relatively attainable. And I'll say it again, I really like that watch!

 

[Dino944]

I remember this discussion about other Langes before, but the "up-down" Datograph is all sticks, and a bit tidier for it (and the one on my wish list). The Langematik Perpetual is the kind of busy I could really love, though: Roman and a couple of chopped sticks? She's still beautiful to me.




As for the Lange 1, it's too "perfectly asymmetric" for me (as we also discussed recently), so it needs a quirk to be perfect. The Time Zone (my top pick, and Kai's recent baller pick-up!), and the moonphase, have enough irregularity to be wonderful. Or back in super-baller six figure land, the Lange 1 Tourbillon, and the differently awesome Lange 31. They're all just that little bit more interesting than the other Lange 1s to me.








I can't argue that the 5070 or the Historique chrono are lovely. I adore the VC, and used it's relatively accessible. Not something that can be said about the 5070 though. But Frilly should buy one, probably.

Hi Mimo, the "Cleaned up" Up-down Datograph, is better but just doesn't do much for me. While the quality is there, I'd much rather have a Patek 5070 or VC Historique Chronograph. Langematik Perpetual, sadly, I like nothing about it. There are perpetual calendar models from other companies that I would prefer to own. No worries though, its good that we won't have to fight over which of us is getting a Langematik. We already have a steel cage match set up between you, me and stitchy regarding who is getting the Blue/Black GMT Master and I think 1 match is enough!

I like the Lange 1, its a bit plain but I do not have the same issue you do about it seeming too perfectly asymmetric. However, I agree that my two favorite Lange 1 models are the moonphase and the tourbillon. To me those are Lange perfection.

While I like the world time Lange 1, I find all the city names clutter the dial and it bothers me on some level. However, I don't travel much and have never been really interested in acquiring a world time watch from any brand. A GMT of some sort, particularly the new Blue/Black one would suit me just fine (no not same workmanship as Lange, but for travel, I'd want something a bit more rugged anyway).

 

[mimo]

They all touch my heart one way or another.

But a quick look at prices of all of those watches is interesting, based on what's available now via Chrono24 (all in platinum, used mint/unworn):

Lange 1 Tourbillon - $126k

Lange 31 - $120k

5070p - $116k

Langematik Perpetual - $72k

Lange Datograph (up/down) - $72k (new - the used "untidy" one is from $44k)

Lange 1 Moonphase - $44k

Lange 1 Time Zone - $44k

VC Les Historiques Chrono - $20k


Of course there are a lot of other factors to take into account, and who knows what other deals are out there, or coming tomorrow. But on the face of it, that VC looks like very good value for that much beauty. I do like it a lot, and I've desired it ever since I saw one for sale a few months ago.

I get you on the Time Zone; I'm not that interested in the functionality, I just like that extra busy-ness. As for the moonphase, although I like the Lange 1 version as far as Lange 1s go, if it's a moonphase then this one is about the same price, and I think a little more special:




Anyway, it's all good, and I appreciate your views and am learning a lot from you. But sometimes it's just about the love. And if we all agreed on everything, there would only be Rolex...

 

[jhcam8]



We already have a steel cage match set up between you, me and stitchy regarding who is getting the Blue/Black GMT Master and I think 1 match is enough!

Well, I have a blue sub and a black sub, so no need for a blue/black GMT.

 

[scottcw]



RGM looks great Scott. I appreciate your diverse tastes in watches. A very interesting duo you have there!

I like it that you have elected to take the path less traveled in growing your watch collection. Many happy returns!

Definitely a top contributor!  All sorts of interesting variations on the standards, and it's sometimes more inspiring to see what's out there and relatively attainable.  And I'll say it again, I really like that watch!

Thanks guys, I blush! I wouldn't call myself a "top contributor" compared to many on this thread. I am thankful that I have the means and took the time to find pieces that spoke to me. You may have noticed that both these watches have no branding, unless the "Lancaster, PA - USA" on the RGM would be considered branding. This is a theme I will continue to explore. After all, none of my clothing has obvious branding.

 

[ter1413]



[/IMG]

Hi guys,
I'm new the the forum. This is my fathers Breitling circa 1940 I just had restored.

Nice job!

 

[Dino944]

Of course there are a lot of other factors to take into account, and who knows what other deals are out there, or coming tomorrow. But on the face of it, that VC looks like very good value for that much beauty. I do like it a lot, and I've desired it ever since I saw one for sale a few months ago.

As for the moonphase, although I like the Lange 1 version as far as Lange 1s go, if it's a moonphase then this one is about the same price, and I think a little more special:




Anyway, it's all good, and I appreciate your views and am learning a lot from you. But sometimes it's just about the love. And if we all agreed on everything, there would only be Rolex...

Hi Mimo

Always fun exchange thoughts about watches, and we all learn from others thoughts on these great watches. While price does play a part in what we realistically can afford to purchase, I would not use it as a measure of comparison between various Langes, or Patek, or VC. I do understand saying well for X amount I can get this or that, and yes, the VC Historique is relatively undervalued and a great watch.

As for the 1815 Moonphase, I like it, and I like it a lot more than a standard 1815 or 1815 Up-down. Yes, its production was limited, Lange collectors seem to love them and have driven the price up quite a bit from its original MSRP of around $18K, However, I find them more interesting in photos than in person. I'm not someone who needs or wears oversized watches, however I greatly prefer the beefier case and lugs, case size, and additional functions one gets with the Lange 1 Moonphase. In addition, I find the silver diasl of the Lange 1 Moonphase watches far more attractive in terms of the way the light shimmers and moves from the various surfaces of the subdials. Black dialed watches can look very elegant and sophisticated, but I've always found Langes with black dials a bit flat and lifeless. Just my 2 cents. Again, 2 more watches we don't have to enter a steel cage and fight for