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

[in stitches]



gosh in stitches, put these abominations under spoilers !

fixed

 

[Kid Nickels]



we can be "friends"

werd!

so these are what are making people turn away from AP then?
to be fair im not a fran of these either, and they appeal to some, but it doesnt change my opinion of AP on the whole.

sure...they still make great watches overall but that ROO is hideous.

 

[Rambo]



Not that unique...
Similar Breguet
MtB

You son of a *****. Now I want one even more!

 

[in stitches]



You son of a *****. Now I want one even more!

lol. personally i dont think its the prettiest thing (either the MB or the breguet), but the function was invented to be utilitarian not aesthetic.

 

[Cylon]

I've narrowed my list down to:
JLC Master Chronograph - black dial
JLC Master Calendar
JLC Master Ultra Thin Moon
IWC Portugese Automatic 7-Day - black dial
Zenith El Primero 36,000 VPH - grey or black dial

Three other suggestions you may have missed:

JLC Master Memovox International
Glashutte Original Senator Hand date (2 register black dial similar to the IWC but no power reserve)
Zenith El Primero Striking Tenth (I dont think you missed this one, but it certainly is more unique than the vanilla one--I dunno if id pay the premium for it tho)

Random subjective thoughts:

1. If I really had my heart set on a chronograph, id probably take the Zenith over the JLC
2. I prefer the minimalism of the MUT Moon to the busy face of the MC
3. I like the Memovox International, I just dont know if the time shifts when you change time zones so thats something to look into. Iif it doesnt then its just a little too pricey for a limited edition with no real complication
4. Make sure you know which ones have an exhibition caseback if that's important to you, especially if youre looking at vintage JLCs versus new ones
5. The open caseback on the Zenith striking 10th is amazing. I have not seen the others in person though

 

[Cuttingboard]



 
Three other suggestions you may have missed:

JLC Master Memovox International
Glashutte Original Senator Hand date (2 register black dial similar to the IWC but no power reserve)
Zenith El Primero Striking Tenth (I dont think you missed this one, but it certainly is more unique than the vanilla one--I dunno if id pay the premium for it tho)

Random subjective thoughts:

1. If I really had my heart set on a chronograph, id probably take the Zenith over the JLC
2. I prefer the minimalism of the MUT Moon to the busy face of the MC
3. I like the Memovox International, I just dont know if the time shifts when you change time zones so thats something to look into. Iif it doesnt then its just a little too pricey for a limited edition with no real complication
4. Make sure you know which ones have an exhibition caseback if that's important to you, especially if youre looking at vintage JLCs versus new ones
5. The open caseback on the Zenith striking 10th is amazing. I have not seen the others in person though

Thanks for the suggestions!

JLC Memovox International...too busy.
GO Senator does nothing for me, very vanilla.
Zenith El Primero Striking Tenth - like my wife said...the multi colored chronographs look like mickey mouse ears.

I do like the Zenith Chrono better than the JLC Chrono and the their movement in the open caseback is amazing!! I wish the Zenith subdials where the same color as the dial and not silver.
I already have several watches that are minimal dress watches, I want something that can wear with a suit or jeans/button down. The Master Calendar has everything that I'm looking for...Month, Day & Date, power reserve, sub-second dial and the moon phase is growing on me. I just wish they had it with a black or grey dial.
The exibition caseback will not make or break my decision but I know the master calendar has a transparent caseback.

I think the Master Calendar is the one I want!!

 

[Cylon]

Sounds like you've made up your mind!

Just make sure with a vintage piece, it's in English if thats what you want. The pic there is French (which is kinda cool too if you ask me)

 

[Dino944]

so these are what are making people turn away from AP then?
to be fair im not a fran of these either, and they appeal to some, but it doesnt change my opinion of AP on the whole.

As for the original style or Royal Oak, love it or hate it, it's the original luxury sports watch. It started a trend that PP, VC, and IWC followed up with after a few years. I think its a clean and original design and the movement in the "Jumbo" time only (no seconds hand) is still considered one of the finest and thinnest automatic movements ever used. It was developed by JLC and at one point AP, PP, and VC were all using it. JLC never used it in any of their watches.

As for the Offshore models, I find them loud and silly looking. I am just not a fan of lots of rubber, carbon fiber (fancy plastic), and other odd matterials that resemble plastic on a watch. I also think large colorful watches are often worn by people seeking attention for their purchase (and themselves). Afterall, how can people not notice something the size of a tuna can with bright dials and straps? However, I think part of the attraction, is from speculators. The "End of Days" edition coveted by collectors, worn by Arnold Schwarteneger in the movie of the same title developed a cult following and its price in the second hand (no pun intended) market started to sky rocket. Then AP released a few more limited editions, and I think speculators snapped them up driving prices up and now people will by any of their limited editions with the idea the prices might go up. I find they have released so many limited editions that there is nothing limited or special about most of them. Not to mention, they have done limited editions celebrating people and bands I don't care about like NSYNC? Really, did they need to celebrate NSYNC? What will they give us next a limited edition Offshore for people that switch from Crest to Colgate toothpaste? I think an occasional special model to celebrate a company anniversary, a very special event, or someone truly unique may be worth while. I find when a company releases too many "limited editions" that are really the same watch with a differnet color strap or dial after a while it becomes tiresome and cheapens the brand. But I suppose as long as people continue to shell out money for limited editions we will continue to see them.

 

[in stitches]



Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Thanks for the suggestions!
JLC Memovox International...too busy.
GO Senator does nothing for me, very vanilla.
Zenith El Primero Striking Tenth - like my wife said...the multi colored chronographs look like mickey mouse ears.
I do like the Zenith Chrono better than the JLC Chrono and the their movement in the open caseback is amazing!! I wish the Zenith subdials where the same color as the dial and not silver.
I already have several watches that are minimal dress watches, I want something that can wear with a suit or jeans/button down. The Master Calendar has everything that I'm looking for...Month, Day & Date, power reserve, sub-second dial and the moon phase is growing on me. I just wish they had it with a black or grey dial.
The exibition caseback will not make or break my decision but I know the master calendar has a transparent caseback.

I think the Master Calendar is the one I want!!

EXCELLENT CHOICE!! B E A utiful watch.

As for the original style or Royal Oak, love it or hate it, it's the original luxury sports watch. 

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

It started a trend that PP, VC, and IWC followed up with after a few years.  I think its a clean and original design and the movement in the "Jumbo" time only (no seconds hand) is still considered one of the finest and thinnest automatic movements ever used.  It was developed by JLC and at one point AP, PP, and VC were all using it.  JLC never used it in any of their watches.

As for the Offshore models, I find them loud and silly looking.  I am just not a fan of lots of rubber, carbon fiber (fancy plastic), and other odd matterials that resemble plastic on a watch.  I also think large colorful watches are often worn by people seeking attention for their purchase (and themselves).  Afterall, how can people not notice something the size of a tuna can with bright dials and straps?  However, I think part of the attraction, is from speculators.  The "End of Days" edition coveted by collectors, worn by Arnold Schwarteneger in the movie of the same title developed a cult following and its price in the second hand (no pun intended) market started to sky rocket.  Then AP released a few more limited editions, and I think speculators snapped them up driving prices up and now people will by any of their limited editions with the idea the prices might go up.  I find they have released so many limited editions that there is nothing limited or special about most of them.  Not to mention, they have done limited editions celebrating people and bands I don't care about like NSYNC?  Really, did they need to celebrate NSYNC?  What will they give us next a limited edition Offshore for people that switch from Crest to Colgate toothpaste?  I think an occasional special model to celebrate a company anniversary, a very special event, or someone truly unique may be worth while.  I find when a company releases too many "limited editions" that are really the same watch with a differnet color strap or dial after a while it becomes tiresome and cheapens the brand.  But I suppose as long as people continue to shell out money for limited editions we will continue to see them.

it also was the first watch to use steel in a "luxury" watch. and yeah, the limited editions are going a bit nutso.

 

[Kaplan]



it also was the first watch to use steel in a "luxury" watch.

 

[in stitches]

thanks kaplan. its focking genius. steel at the price of gold, and getting away with it.

 

[Kaplan]

Indeed. Now I want one even more

 

[ismelllikepoop]

i remember reading an article, i think maybe watchtime, that the royal oak is one of the few watches that actually costs quite a bit to manufacture, considering all of the detailing work and finishing. Not sure how accurate that article was, but i'd believe it considering how many brands put out generic looking steel watches that still cost 5k.

 

[Cylon]

As a RO hater, I still must admit the bracelet is damn cool.

 

[Cylon]

Cuttingboard: Reverso Calendar or Master Calendar?