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

[no frills]

Amazingly, it really did. I am pretty sure that the guy had some sort of an issue, so we decided to keep it hush hush. We were pretty close to touching down, and he had done a bunch of really odd things on the flight. And fortunately, I sat in the middle so it was more to me than the ladyfriend. She was a tough one though.

On a much more horological note, I saw that Hodinkee did a piece on the MdT piece... in my opinion, really quite lovely. I am a sucker for Kari's work, and I think the whole roller thing is kind of interesting. I would rather have an observatoire or a vingt-8, but I still think it is a very interesting piece, nonetheless.


Unfortunately, the movement architecture looks a bit unfortunate.

This is clearly an aesthetic judgment on my part, but the sharp edges and square-ish pieces in the movement enclosed in a round case kind of comes across as jarring to me.

 

[Dino944]



On my last international flight, I was with my girlfriend at the time and we were heading to beautiful Paris. All was well, until the odd gentleman next to us who did not say a word for 8 hours decided to expose himself. Just my luck.

That's really creepy!!!

I prefer an aisle seat so my wife gets the middle seat. My wife's favorite flight experience, was when a rather feminine guy with the window seat next to her got on his cell and called, I think his boyfriend, and said, "No, I lucked out. I'm not next to a *****." My wife said thank you and smiled for the entire flight.

 

[Newcomer]



This is clearly an aesthetic judgment on my part, but the sharp edges and square-ish pieces in the movement enclosed in a round case kind of comes across as jarring to me.

Oh I could not agree more. It looks like an Urwerk movement, or something like that. It looks far too mechanic. I was being all too kind on the movement architecture. Especially when I put Kari and Dufour in the same breath when I talk about beautiful movements! Just for the sake of pr0n:

That's really creepy!!!

I prefer an aisle seat so my wife gets the middle seat. My wife's favorite flight experience, was when a rather feminine guy with the window seat next to her got on his cell and called, I think his boyfriend, and said, "No, I lucked out. I'm not next to a *****." My wife said thank you and smiled for the entire flight.

That is hilarious! I prefer the aisle seat vastly, but I will take the middle seat if there is an odd person. I am willing to suffer.

 

[Dino944]



I must be getting old or something, but I kind of like the fluted bezel on a DJ more than a smooth/mirror-polished one.  Not that I'm a mirror-polished bezel hater - I have the Explorer I and love it just fine.  Must be a "if it's a DJ, then I think it should have a fluted bezel" personal bias on my part.

On current DJs I also prefer a fluted bezel. I had a 114270 Ex1 (like yours), and i really liked its bezel, which was flatter and its edges I believe we're crisper. The smooth bezels on newer generation of DJs, DDs, and DJIIs have a rounded more bulbous appearance. So for me it would have to be a fluted bezel or vintage model.

 

[Newcomer]

The new bezels are also absolutely gigantic. And great observation about it being bulbous. It is a weird thing to look at and describe. The 41mm DJII looks absolutely ginormous. That watch legitimately may be 25% bezel.

 

[bawlin]

I agree that the DJ should have a fluted bezel. The only reason I prefer the smooth bezel, however, is because it makes the watch err more towards sport than dress (although most would classify it as a dress watch) and I spend more time in casual clothing than in business attire so...

Do you think the Hulk would make for a good candidate to wear either with a suit or casually? I'm having such a hard time deciding on a watch (I'm looking at some IWC's as well) but I do want something that isn't all too "common" (like a regular Sub or GMT). I'm a huge fan of green which is why the Hulk has a certain appeal to me.

 

[wurger]

I must be getting old or something, but I kind of like the fluted bezel on a DJ more than a smooth/mirror-polished one.  Not that I'm a mirror-polished bezel hater - I have the Explorer I and love it just fine.  Must be a "if it's a DJ, then I think it should have a fluted bezel" personal bias on my part.

On current DJs I also prefer a fluted bezel. I had a 114270 Ex1 (like yours), and i really liked its bezel, which was flatter and its edges I believe we're crisper. The smooth bezels on newer generation of DJs, DDs, and DJIIs have a rounded more bulbous appearance. So for me it would have to be a fluted bezel or vintage model.

and I would also prefer the jubilee bracelet to go with the fluted bezel.

 

[Bams]

Hello everyone,

I could really use some guidance on where to start looking for a dressy watch.
I have looked at a few (JLC reverso or master control, Rolex DJ, Omega DeVille) but maybe I am missing a lot of choices and since I have not seen all those models I just listed, maybe I have the wrong impressions on how they actually are on a wrist.

I already have a Longiness conquest, but I find it a bit too thick so it does not fit well under my shirt cuffs and maybe not so dressy.
I am going to change jobs and will wear suits more often, so I want (need?) a nice watch to go with that.
The budget is not super high, around 5000 euros max, so I would like to focus on quality in the fundamentals rather than extras (no complication and no precious materials). I have pretty small wrist so something between 35 to 38 would fit better I believe.

Do you have any suggestions?
I will obviously look at them in person afterwards but I don't know where to start.

Thank you for the guidance and help

 

[Chows Tuddon]

Hello everyone,

I could really use some guidance on where to start looking for a dressy watch.
I have looked at a few (JLC reverso or master control, Rolex DJ, Omega DeVille) but maybe I am missing a lot of choices and since I have not seen all those models I just listed, maybe I have the wrong impressions on how they actually are on a wrist.

I already have a Longiness conquest, but I find it a bit too thick so it does not fit well under my shirt cuffs and maybe not so dressy.
I am going to change jobs and will wear suits more often, so I want (need?) a nice watch to go with that.
The budget is not super high, around 5000 euros max, so I would like to focus on quality in the fundamentals rather than extras (no complication and no precious materials). I have pretty small wrist so something between 35 to 38 would fit better I believe.

Do you have any suggestions?
I will obviously look at them in person afterwards but I don't know where to start.

Thank you for the guidance and help

Do not buy a new Rolex. They are no longer well made and display all the general characteristics of design and machining that most other Swiss giants do. If you want a Rolex, get a mint one that is pre-2005. I was recently speaking to one of the world's top Rolex dealer/collectors and he attested what I've written above. My mum got a Datejust about 2 years ago and it's a complete pile of ****. Looks dumb, wears badly, CANNOT keep time, can't be fixed, is large and gaudy and plainly has been downgraded in quality from earlier makes.

It's like if you get in a BMW from 1999 and then one from 2009 - there's been a fundamental re-adjustment of quality for the sake of extrinsic financial and marketing factors. In the case of BMW, you can understand that Asian cars are cheaper to build and in order for BMW to keep upgrading technology, price competitiveness dictates that material and quality control must give a little. Even in my bro's 2013 7 series, underneath the dashboard leather is creaky plastic. This is not the case in an E38, I assure you.

Why Rolex have gone all funny, I do not know. You can see the philosophical change in everything about them, from that stupid "rolex rolex rolex" writing on some models, to the steel models with brilliants all over them. Trash. All the polished edges. The fact is that globalisation and the fall of the wall have led to an international marketing environment where a lot of these formerly nice brands have had to cater to increased demand by bad taste.

I'm only bothering to say this because so many people in these sorts of forums seem utterly oblivious to this. The only thing that's got better about them is the full upgrade to 904L steel in bracelets (not just the case). Now you might want a simple Datejust or Submariner, but they will not display the same quality and subtlety that earlier equivalents do.

My advice is to buy anything simple in steel, in good condition, that doesn't have an ETA movement in it.

 

[Newcomer]

You know, with that description, I do not think you could do much better than a JLC MUT 38 or Master Control. At ~$5,000 euros, I really would not look anywhere other than JLC. Rolex DJ and Omega DeVille just really do not match up.

The MUT 38 comes in at just the right size for you. It is also very nice and thin.

The movement, although small for the case, is one of the best movements out there.

Here is an interesting review on the movement: http://www.thepurists.com/watch/features/8ohms/jlchw/

As you can tell, they also made the watch in 34mm. If you find the 38mm too big, you could try looking around for one.

 

[Bams]

Thank you very much, the picture are also very helpfull.

For my personnal development, could you say a few words why the DJ and DeVille do not match up? As far as I understand they also have manufacture movements? Maybe not the DeVille...

Thanks you!

 

[Omega Male]



Do you think the Hulk would make for a good candidate to wear either with a suit or casually? I'm having such a hard time deciding on a watch (I'm looking at some IWC's as well) but I do want something that isn't all too "common" (like a regular Sub or GMT). I'm a huge fan of green which is why the Hulk has a certain appeal to me.

How about a 16600 Sea-Dweller?

 

[DLJr]

I agree that the DJ should have a fluted bezel. The only reason I prefer the smooth bezel, however, is because it makes the watch err more towards sport than dress (although most would classify it as a dress watch) and I spend more time in casual clothing than in business attire so...



Do you think the Hulk would make for a good candidate to wear either with a suit or casually? I'm having such a hard time deciding on a watch (I'm looking at some IWC's as well) but I do want something that isn't all too "common" (like a regular Sub or GMT). I'm a huge fan of green which is why the Hulk has a certain appeal to me.

I would vote for an ExII 16570 white dial even though it doesn't have green.

 

[RogerP]

Some random contemporary dress watch suggestions in no particular order:

1) Glashutte Original Senator Sixties
2) Zenith Captain Central Seconds
3) Glashutte Original Senator Automatic
4) Nomos tangomat.
5) Chronoswiss Orea
6) Chopard L.U.C. 1937.

I think both the basic Reverso and the Omega DeVille are fine choices. I own the latter. On a strap it serves very well in a pure dress watch role. On the supple mesh-look OE bracelet, it transitions well to sporty casual. The Reverso is and always will be THE iconic JLC. Can't go wrong there. Plus you can play with the case when you're bored.

My favourite dress watches tend to be quality vintage pieces, however. Unsurpassed value for money in the genre, IMO. It takes a bit more looking and some homework but the results are more than worth the effort.

 

[jbarwick]

Bawlin - I looked at a Hulk when I stopped in the store the other day. The green is mesmerizing. I like the green face better than the 50th Anniversary black face. I don't think I would call the watch subtle but I would wear it with a suit no problem.