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

[venessian]



So essentially exactly what we want from our dream Dornblueth watch

Exxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxactly!

 

[venessian]



As far as I understand (from reading about it - no personal experience), the Speedbirds are supposed to be good value. So if the lower cost is a priority and you're happy with the design, I don't think it's a bad choice. (Though I'm not personally a fan of the black date window, so I'd look for a Speedbird 1 (no date).)
On the other hand, if the Mk XV sings more to you and if the design roots and IWC's part in that history is something that matters to you, I'd say it's worth a ½ month's pay as it's pretty much a perfect watch - but then I'm biased
If it interests you, you can check out the history of the 'Mark' military and pilot watches here, here and here.
And since posts are more fun with pics:

I agree with all of this.
The Speedbird are an excellent value, but the MK XV is a classic.
I also agree re: the black, 6:00 date on the Speedbird; date windows at that position always make a dial look gap-toothed to me.

I owned the speedbird, and I did not like it. First of all, my dial was slightly defective (enough that you could see it with the naked eye) and Eddie promised to send me a replacement dial. He never did. Also, the C3 did not look good against the black. Mine also came unregulated, and ran about a minute fast a day.

Interesting...I've yet to read much negative criticism of Eddie and the Speedbirds, etc.
But, they are no MK XV.

 

[impolyt_one]

aj_del... At least that watch puts two Breitlings in your collection at once....

 

[apropos]



Vintage 1945 British military issue Omega. 

Nice, don't recall seeing many 30T2s here on the Watch Pr0n thread. Would love a good closeup of that dial, is it a redial?

AJ, IMO instead of throwing good money after bad, it's probably best to sell a watch that doesn't quite tickle your fancy any more. That said, Breitlings don't hold their value too well...

I have an old Aerospace with the older more discreet dial and while it's a rare wear now, it still is a comfy watch to wear with the multiple functions coming in handy sometimes.

 

[venessian]



Finally after 10 months of waiting I received word from Dornbluth that my 99.1 was completed. Any suggestions on strap color? Below is the watch face and the strap options. I have also posted more detailed pictures of the insides of the watch underneath the spoiler tags. I am leaning towards the middle strap or the second in from the left.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Holy moly, that's a beauty.

As for color, I would vote for #2 from the left; but for some reason I'm not feeling any of those straps for your watch...maybe it's the contrast stitching bugging me, I'm not really sure.
Beautiful watch, though. Congratulations!

I would definitely advise against blue or black (#4 and #5).

 

[venessian]



I have this Breitling on a leather strap. I never wear it these days because the 3/6/9/12 on the dial look fugly to me now. I am thinking of getting the dial changed to the second pic.
Thoughts ...
Thanks

Not worth the cost since the dial will be only slightly less fugly, imo.
It sounds like the watch is not really your style anymore. so I would recommend selling it. A new dial isn't cheap and diminishes the resale value.

Looking at the second photo again...does Breitling sell that as a ready-replacement dial? How odd.

 

[guest]

why do explorer 1's and iwc mark series watches look better on straps?

 

[Warren G.]

Congrats on the Dornbluth, and it's definitely worth the wait.

axelman - I'd get first or second one from left. I'd also get the grey one for when you want a change, you'd be surprised how great it will look

I agree on the grey strap. It will look great with that navy dial.

 

[aj_del]



I have this Breitling on a leather strap. I never wear it these days because the 3/6/9/12 on the dial look fugly to me now. I am thinking of getting the dial changed to the second pic.
Thoughts ...
Thanks

But will you really like it then? May be better to just sell it and get something you really like

Word. Both of those dials are sort of overstylish.

aj_del... At least that watch puts two Breitlings in your collection at once....

Nice, don't recall seeing many 30T2s here on the Watch Pr0n thread. Would love a good closeup of that dial, is it a redial?
AJ, IMO instead of throwing good money after bad, it's probably best to sell a watch that doesn't quite tickle your fancy any more. That said, Breitlings don't hold their value too well...
I have an old Aerospace with the older more discreet dial and while it's a rare wear now, it still is a comfy watch to wear with the multiple functions coming in handy sometimes.

Not worth the cost since the dial will be only slightly less fugly, imo.
It sounds like the watch is not really your style anymore. so I would recommend selling it. A new dial isn't cheap and diminishes the resale value.
Looking at the second photo again...does Breitling sell that as a ready-replacement dial? How odd.

Thank you all for your comments.

My affair with watches is truly over and I dont wear any of the 10 or so I have anymore. I would love to get rid of them all except the JLC Reverso I posted a couple of pages back. The problem is that I have no way of selling them since I am located in India. The problem on account of location are 2 fold

a. Indian authorities have imposed a lot of conditions on use of Paypal to receive payments to tackle money laundering, funding of illegal activities and non disclosure of income from abroad. So, now if I receive payments from abroad, I have to fill out forms here and then pay 33% tax on the amount received since this is obviously not business income in which expenses can be offset against the revenue.

b. Shipping - If I find a buyer and notwithstanding the above issue receive the payment, how do I ship it, what value do I put on the customs form. A Breguet/GP/IWC is not something I will ship with India Post internationally. If I put the actual value, the buyer will get screwed by Fedex, UPS, DHL at the time of receipt of the watch.

So, I am stuck with the watches. Obviously, I am not buying any more. I havent opened Timezone/Watchprosite in ages. I will probably just hang on to them for my son to enjoy when the time comes. But he probably will find the designs crapola in 18 years.

regarding, the Breitling Aerospace, I find it to be a very practical travel watch. I would much prefer to have the dial with the smaller and non italicized numerals. I would have def given it a shot if the cost of the dial was somewhat reasonable. It is 200 USD on ebay which I find too much for an experiment.

Thanks again for your comments

 

[Le Samourai]

Nice bezel fade.

^ Did you pick that up as well? With Rolex's recent design changes NOS or vintage is definitely the way to go, IMHO.

Here's my old sub; bought new 20½ years ago and worn daily, except for the last couple of years:

 

[Kaplan]

Thank you Monsieur Samourai.

 

[imageWIS]



Vintage 1945 British military issue Omega. 

 

[Zeppelin]

Planet Ocean (2500 caliber)

 

[rostov]

Received this Waltham pocket-watch as a gift.

EDIT Turns out this watch isn't necessarily pr0n worthy. I still think it is a beautiful watch... but It it isn't nearly as old, rare, or valuable as I initially thought. Due to outsourcing the hunter cases, the serial numbers ceased matching on the case and movements, resulting in confusion over the actual vintage. As a result, I've discovered It was "only" made in 1918...

 

[junior varsity]



Planet Ocean (2500 caliber)

i have the same watch with orange bezel...
its one of the best watches for the price imho