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

[Dino944]

I really have no idea what attracts people to this marque. Are there any Hublot owners (make that real Hublots, not fake Hublots) on this thread who can explain their appeal to me??

I don't own and Hublot. They don't really appeal to me, maybe as I find them pricey and their Big Bang watches sort of remind me of a less attractive AP RO Offshore. I do think they should get credit or being one of the pioneering companies to use rubber as a strap for their watches. They were doing that back in the 1980s. Overall its just not a brand that captures my interest.

 

[apropos]

I think a great deal of the appeal of an AL&S movement lies in the somewhat baroque flourishes the brand employs to great effect - blued screwed gold chatons, engraved balance cock, emphasis through layout choices of the "multi-level" appearance to the chronograph movements, etc - that while adding nothing to timekeeping up the ante when it comes to pure aesthetic appeal. Think Mozart piano concerto vs a Bach harpsichord concerto.

Patek movements are nice, but well, can sometimes seem a bit... boring - and I say this as the owner of a cal 240.

Like a fellow collector put it to me - the classical/proper/clean-looking designs of the AL&S dials contrast well with the view once you flip the watch over, apparently not unlike German women...

 

[no frills]

Back from a short sojourn with the family. Here's another one from my collection. I love the tonneau shaped case, really contrasts with the 3940P's more classic (standard? boring?) round shape.

From a sartorial point of view, the yellow gold / brown strap also covers me whenever I'm wearing clothes or shoes for which platinum / black strap of the 3940P may not be the best choice.



Also, in line with the theme of display backs from a few pages ago, I do enjoy viewing the cal 240 movement with this one, which I am unable to do with the 3940P since the 3940s in platinum only came with a solid back.

 

[BeSpiffington]

This is my first post on this thread. Just wanted to share a pic of my daily warhorse. It's comparatively small by today's standards. But, it serves me well. I wear it all the time, even while playing golf. Looks good with a suit and tie and doesn't catch on dress shirts or pants pockets. Best of all it was a gift from my sister and my children for my fithtieth birthday.

 

[no frills]

This is my first post on this thread. Just wanted to share a pic of my daily warhorse. It's comparatively small by today's standards. But, it serves me well. I wear it all the time, even while playing golf. Looks good with a suit and tie and doesn't catch on dress shirts or pants pockets. Best of all it was a gift from my sister and my children for my fithtieth birthday.

I love it. Is that the 114270 with a 36mm case? I have that too. It's elegant, fits my 6.25" wrist, not the most obvious choice for a Rolex (at least I don't see it around as often as Subs) and has a fine history behind it (descended from the 1016, fun story given the Everest summit (did Hillary wear it or not!?) and was established to be "the original James Bond watch" that Sir Ian Fleming wrote about, etc). Plus, it can take one heck of a beating. When my trips involve beaches, sand, sunscreen, chlorinated water or seawater, I tend not to bring my PPs. I strap on my 114270.

 

[in stitches]



Bingo! Don't stir the pot... for the sake of stirring the pot. Went and tried on some Hublots today for the sheer heck of it. Eye watering prices - almost in ALS/PP territory for many models. The King Power, is, well... the King Power of something, I'm honestly not sure what. Then there was this other model which looks like a copy of an IWC sports watch - the name escapes me now. Even had faux screws in the polished bezel.. I really have no idea what attracts people to this marque. Are there any Hublot owners (make that real Hublots, not fake Hublots) on this thread who can explain their appeal to me??

i personally dont really "get it." i have never owned one, but have handled them. they dont really do anything for me, but i did read an article about jean claude biver, a few years ago, when he had first revived the brand. the guy is a genius. no question. he focused on the brands original core innovation, using new and interesting materials, and went crazy with it. they dont seem to be the watch snobs watch of choice, but for many out there looking for an expensive but funky/cool/new timepiece, he hit the nail on the head.

Back from a short sojourn with the family. Here's another one from my collection. I love the tonneau shaped case, really contrasts with the 3940P's more classic (standard? boring?) round shape. From a sartorial point of view, the yellow gold / brown strap also covers me whenever I'm wearing clothes or shoes for which platinum / black strap of the 3940P may not be the best choice.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Also, in line with the theme of display backs from a few pages ago, I do enjoy viewing the cal 240 movement with this one, which I am unable to do with the 3940P since the 3940s in platinum only came with a solid back.

another beauty.

 

[no frills]

another beauty.

Thanks, man. What I love about my current collection is that they offer enough diversity that I feel excited about wearing the other pieces - versus favoring just one and ending up wearing that 90% of the time. Also, I tend to buy in two's because I fully intend to pass my watches on to my two children (who may, of course, end up not liking or wearing them, haha)... that means I seek pieces that are "of the same horological quality" (hence, two PP PCs) but different enough so that they end up getting two unique heirlooms.

I probably put too much time thinking about these things but hey, given the price tag even on pre-owned PP PCs I figure it's worth the investment in time and attention.

 

[Warren G.]



+1.

I think that the Watch Appreciation Thread is easily one of the best and most informative threads on teh forvm. I feel like most of the regulars post very informative and interesting posts, and really spend time thinking about what they write. This thread is definitely not as 'fast paced' or dramatic as some of the other threads, but this is probably the only place that I check many, many times per day.

I just hope the quality keeps up.

+2

I love this thread. I think I stop reading about clothes in 2010 lol.

Hell I think at least half of my post is in this thread or what are you drinking/smoking thread.

 

[Warren G.]



Also, in line with the theme of display backs from a few pages ago, I do enjoy viewing the cal 240 movement with this one, which I am unable to do with the 3940P since the 3940s in platinum only came with a solid back.

I really love the 240 movement.

Speaking of microrotor.
Chopard L.U.C. 1.96 is no slouch either
(obv. not my pics)

 

[in stitches]

gorgeous.

 

[BeSpiffington]



I love it.  Is that the 114270 with a 36mm case?  I have that too.  It's elegant, fits my 6.25" wrist, not the most obvious choice for a Rolex (at least I don't see it around as often as Subs) and has a fine history behind it (descended from the 1016, fun story given the Everest summit (did Hillary wear it or not!?) and was established to be "the original James Bond watch" that Sir Ian Fleming wrote about, etc).  Plus, it can take one heck of a beating.  When my trips involve beaches, sand, sunscreen, chlorinated water or seawater, I tend not to bring my PPs.  I strap on my 114270.

Yes it is a 114270. It's a "P" series to be specific. Nice to hear from an afficianado who appreciates this timepieces history and lore. Both factual and mythological.

 

[Dino944]

I think a great deal of the appeal of an AL&S movement lies in the somewhat baroque flourishes the brand employs to great effect - blued screwed gold chatons, engraved balance cock, emphasis through layout choices of the "multi-level" appearance to the chronograph movements, etc - that while adding nothing to timekeeping up the ante when it comes to pure aesthetic appeal.

Like a fellow collector put it to me - the classical/proper/clean-looking designs of the AL&S dials contrast well with the view once you flip the watch over, apparently not unlike German women...

+1.

PP and AL&S both offer superb movments, just different. I think what is attractive about the AL&S movement is one can truly see some of the handworkmanship and individuality in the engraving of the balance cock. Its a small detail among many fine things that they do, but at the PP and AL&S level its often the small details that cause one to choose one very fine brand over another.

Entertaining comment about AL&S and German women. Not sure I'll share that quote with my wife.

Back from a short sojourn with the family. Here's another one from my collection. I love the tonneau shaped case, really contrasts with the 3940P's more classic (standard? boring?) round shape.

From a sartorial point of view, the yellow gold / brown strap also covers me whenever I'm wearing clothes or shoes for which platinum / black strap of the 3940P may not be the best choice.



Also, in line with the theme of display backs from a few pages ago, I do enjoy viewing the cal 240 movement with this one, which I am unable to do with the 3940P since the 3940s in platinum only came with a solid back.

Another stunner! It took me some years to warm up to the beauty of a watch in a Tonneau case...but now I really love the design. What a great piece. Nice to see others here at SF choosing something other than a round cased watch. I love the contrast of going from a round watch (most of my daily wearers are round) to something different in shape for a dress watch.

This is my first post on this thread. Just wanted to share a pic of my daily warhorse. It's comparatively small by today's standards. But, it serves me well. I wear it all the time, even while playing golf. Looks good with a suit and tie and doesn't catch on dress shirts or pants pockets. Best of all it was a gift from my sister and my children for my fithtieth
birthday.

A 114270 is a great way to mark a birthday celebration. I had a 114270 for about 10 years. Great watch, incredibly versatile and classic Rolex design.

 

[no frills]

Wow, that's exquisite!

I really love the 240 movement.

Speaking of microrotor.
Chopard L.U.C. 1.96 is no slouch either

 

[Kyle is raaddd]

Here is my first auto diver,
Sorry it is very 'poverty' compared to the pieces I have been seeing lately

Orient Mako w/NATO

Even busted out the 'ol 50 for it

 

[Warren G.]

It is a great watch. My cousin wore that exact same watch for years.