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

[no frills]

50 years from now: "But why does she get the Nautilus? I always told Dad that I don't like complicated chronographs!"

Or "why in the world would you think I'd like your old-man-watches, Dad? I'd rather have mom's banged up scratched up watches."

I sometimes wonder if I am doing my daughter and any future children a disservice in leaving them a watch collection, and not just a watch. How can it have the same meaning getting dad's watch box(es) as dad's watch? The latter is something to cherish, an earthly reminder of my existence left behind, the former just an investment to realize or keep in a bank box.

Maybe I in time ought to sell everything but the Daytona (with which I timed my daughter's birth, present on the first picture of her in my arms) and the Patek (because I also am a victim to advertising)

Great thoughts here. Who knows what the kids will think. Maybe they might not even like me when they grow up. But hey, I figure I'll enjoy the pieces now while I have 'em, they will see me wearing them every day (my 3.5 year old already knows how to operate a chrono, although she says she prefers the Explorer I to the Daytona as "she likes the watch Dada swims with" - and she does need my help unscrewing the darn screw down pushers), and if they detest them hopefully they can sell them for a decent wad of cash.

Viva Patek victims!

sold a month ago in Geneva for $1.7M!! wow

I saw that transaction. I neither have the inclination, nor the dollars to blow, on this piece. I understand it's probably one of a kind, but that indicator (is it day/night or leap year?) looking all pimply between 3 and 4 kind of puts me off for some reason...

 

[rnguy001]

The newer Port Chronograph is superior in every way IMO except I wish it maintained blued hands for the hours and minutes.

Price being what it is, some may balk at, but it definitely fills a lot of the wants for many people. The Daytona comparison I get, though I find them different enough that I wouldn't mind.

The price is steep though, it's certainly in line with other pieces with this level of finishing, in house movement etc..

That is absolutely absurd. Very beautiful watch though.

Hodinkee did an interesting article today:

http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/a-week-on-the-wrist-the-iwc-portuguese-chronograph-classic

Here is a picture for reference:

What do y'all think? Personally, I think I prefer the design of the second one, cut-off numerals aside. I cannot help but notice the homogenization of watches owned by Richemont in this price range. Maybe it is just me, but I feel like some of the Richemont brands are taking their tried and true designs, and substantially modernizing them. Making them bigger, thicker, etc.

For example, this new Cartier that we talked about a few days ago.

Maybe it is just my eyes, but I see a trend towards making everything look more similar.

I also think the new price for the IWC Chrono is absurd. $13,000 is a dangerous price category to play with. A Daytona is less expensive, and I would prefer that.

 

[TheWraith]

I prefer the date to appear at the 3:00, but some do look rather good at 4:00, which surprised me.

 

[Kid Nickels]



For example, this new Cartier that we talked about a few days ago.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

I really like that Cartier. is this a new model?

I saw that transaction.  I neither have the inclination, nor the dollars to blow, on this piece.  I understand it's probably one of a kind, but that indicator (is it day/night or leap year?) looking all pimply between 3 and 4 kind of puts me off for some reason...

ya agreed. it's leap year I believe... not sure why I would ever need that but if I had $1.7M to blow on a watch I'm not sure I would care!

 

[in stitches]

It looks like a beautifuly understated perpetual calendar. I like it a lot.

Would take daytona over port chrono.

 

[cjmruns]



well, my ultimate grail is a tourbillon, repeater, perp cal, moon phase, split seconds chrono, done tastefully. also, i prefer the tourb exposed from the dial side.

the 5207 is damn close to what i want and its also beautiful. anyone wanna get this for me? my birthday is in may so you have plenty of lead time.

Stichy,
Good news! I found the 5270 and, since its free shipping, the price should be within budget. Can't believe I found such a deal!

 

[TheWraith]

 

[Dino944]

I get you - the 6.00 date seems to be a bit of a German thing; same on the Nomos. But I just don't like simple dates in general - not particularly useful as they need resetting every few weeks, and they tend to unbalance a design quite frequently I think. The 6.00 date deals with the second issue to a point, but it's not for me. The discussion on ROs above reminded me of one of the reasons I like the RO chrono so much: it doesn't have the 3.00 date that the three hand models have, and shoves it down instead to 4.30 - a quirk I quite like, if there has to be a date at all.

A date at 6 really annoys me. My wife's automatic Cartier Tank Francaise has it there, as does my Pasha 950 Chronograph. I might be a bit better on a time only watch, but I'm not really a fan of when it cuts into a subdial (which often happens with watches based on the 1185 F.Piguet which happens on some Breguets, Cartiers, and BPs). Although AP and VC moved it to 4:30 and 12 respectively on their RO and Overseas Chronographs which use the 1185. I like the date at 4/4:30, its less disturbing to the dials symmetry if done correctly.

That is absolutely absurd. Very beautiful watch though.

Hodinkee did an interesting article today:

http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/a-week-on-the-wrist-the-iwc-portuguese-chronograph-classic

Here is a picture for reference:




What do y'all think? Personally, I think I prefer the design of the second one, cut-off numerals aside. I cannot help but notice the homogenization of watches owned by Richemont in this price range. Maybe it is just me, but I feel like some of the Richemont brands are taking their tried and true designs, and substantially modernizing them. Making them bigger, thicker, etc.

For example, this new Cartier that we talked about a few days ago.



Maybe it is just my eyes, but I see a trend towards making everything look more similar.

I also think the new price for the IWC Chrono is absurd. $13,000 is a dangerous price category to play with. A Daytona is less expensive, and I would prefer that.

+1 on the Daytona.

As for the homogenization of Richemont brand watches, the public speaks through sales and if the public is still clamoring for really big thick watches, companies will modify classic designs to increase sales. Most companies have beefied up case sizes, if one considers Rolex super cases, Patek bumping Calatravas from what was once their large size at 34-35mm to 37mm+, Cartier increase the size of the manual wind Tanks, and AP increase the size of ROs. No one wants to give up sales to the competition. If the public tires of extra large thick watches, the companies will trim down case sizes again.

I really like that Cartier.

is this a new model?

Yes a new model its the Tank MC.

 

[Hayward]

This inspires me to ask two truly dumb questions.

1. Is it possible to make a mechanical perpetual calendar movement that features a date window?

2. Is it possible to make a mechanical chronograph where the center seconds chronograph hand also functions as the ordinary sweep hand?

 

[in stitches]



Stichy,
Good news! I found the 5270 and, since its free shipping, the price should be within budget. Can't believe I found such a deal!

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

ZOMG BEST NEWS EVAR!!!!


i hope they take paypal.

 

[in stitches]



This inspires me to ask two truly dumb questions.

1. Is it possible to make a mechanical perpetual calendar movement that features a date window?

patek does this.

2. Is it possible to make a mechanical chronograph where the center seconds chronograph hand also functions as the ordinary sweep hand?

not sure, but i dont see how hat would be advantageous. also you would have to interrupt the time keeping to activate the chrono and somehow not mess that up. i dont see this as being good, imo.

 

[no frills]

patek does this.

Like this one?



Or, Hayward, did you literally mean the dates (1 to 28/29/30/31) in the apertures, and not just the month and/or day?

 

[in stitches]

and like the one i love. i think a lot of the gondolos have windows only perp cals.

 

[Hayward]



Like this one? Or, Hayward, did you literally mean the dates (1 to 28/29/30/31) in the apertures, and not just the month and/or day?

Yes...

 

[mimo]

And oh, how they got me.

You are missing the "compensatory watches for the wife" element from your equation there! She should be standing on your head (and I would imagine, has done at times!)

new Cartier that we talked about a few days ago.

I like this quite a lot. Whatever the design influence, this looks both very Cartier, and very masculine, to me. I approve of this direction.

I wish it maintained blued hands for the hours and minutes.

And also that it didn't have the 3:00 date. Boo.

Would take daytona over port chrono.

Hell yes.

I like the date at 4/4:30, its less disturbing to the dials symmetry if done correctly.

companies will modify classic designs to increase sales.

Like the RO chrono - the date is a pleasing quirk rather than a diversion from the symmetry. And only available in the 41mm size...