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

[dddrees]

Have you ever tried putting together a collage of seven pictures? Not very easy. But maybe I am not very creative.

Aside from the 1967 DJ I posted, here's a "family pic."



"Just" seven pieces but boy am I happy and satiated. I still look around at other pieces but haven't felt that burning urge to just chase one down. Dino will probably be disappointed but I've held off on getting that double red Sub. However, I am meeting with my dealer tomorrow as a family member wants me to look at a piece she's interested in getting, and I did ask him to bring that double red Sub/SD again just so I can look at it one more time.......

I would consider the 116520 white dial Daytona to be part of this family - except the missus has co-opted it. To "get back at her" I started wearing that 36mm blue dial DJ, which was the first piece I bought for her. Why do l have this sinking feeling that she came out ahead in that exchange, especially since she can take back that DJ anytime she wants anyway........

Nice intro and write-up overall. Really have to try these things before you're able to make any kind of judgment call regarding aesthetics, "general feel," etc.

Absolutely agree.

Fabulous, very nice indeed.

 

[Dino944]

CHRK33 - I would skip the Tudor. Nice watch, but not being able to return it if he isn't in love with it would be an issue for me. Not to mention, I know a few older guys that own Rolex watches, and right or wrong...they look at a Tudor as a half a Rolex. Not sure if that's how your Dad would feel about it, and I'm sure he would be happy you got him something, but if he is really a Rolex guy this might not be the best choice. I'd either go with something that is not Rolex related at all or a Rolex.

I like the idea of the IWC, whether as Roger suggest there is value in it, using a ETA or Sellita movement is something only you can decide. However, its a nice gift and stays within your budget, and you never know what unexpected expenses newly weds will encounter.

If considering an Explorer 2 or a Milgauss for someone working in a restaurant, I say go for the Milgauss. The Ex2 can handle the same abuse, but the few guy I know that have owned restaurants really bang the hell out of their watches. When the Milgauss goes in for service they will be able to easily polish and clean up the entire watch, including the smooth bezel. The Ex2's engraved and brushed finish bezel, will get a ton of scratches in a kitchen, possibly dinged, and there is nothing that can really be done to fix it short of replacing the actual bezel. For someone that isn't too rough with their watches an Ex2 would be a fine choice...as an occasional scratch isn't going to matter. But the stuff that happens in a busy restaurant or kitchen would make me choose the Milgauss.

 

[rnguy001]

Well said Wurger!

It's really just a difference of opinion here, while people appreciate that mechanical watches as one of the most complicated and expensive jewellery a man can wear, it serves an important function of telling the time, and in the discussion here, the date.

The fact our calendar has 30/31/28/29 days, and with 99% of watch date display on a disc, it's physically impossible to engineer a cost effective design that can cater for that, and there are the a lot more expensive annual and perpetual calenders which Stitchy pointed out, and let me point out even perpetual calenders, when a watch is stopped, all indications have to be newly set and if over shoot happens, the owner will have to wait for the movement to stop before resetting again. Would you classify this as bad engineering?

Like the simple display of hours, minutes and seconds, the date is a display of something that is useful to the user. I guess my tolerance of changing the date display 5 times a year is not asking for much, and we all accept that a mechanical watch has its limitations on accuracy and displays, and I find the fact a watch can be 5 min faster or slower after a few months of wear with no adjustment a lot more troublesome than the fact I have change the date.

With the date, it's more of an assurance device to make sure I have the right date and the assurance is always with me when I need it, and I am not always in front of a computer.

If we can all live with all that, we should give the date display some approval.

Agree with RP and Dino here. I think the Tudor is nice, but as a Rolex guy especially, there's the threat that Tudor is seen as the bargain Rolex (right or wrong...). Coupled with the fact that it'd be difficult/impossible to return and the risk seems too great here IMO.

The IWC is a handsome watch, and I'm sure would make a wonderful gift. At a VERY generous discount it becomes appealing. As others have said, not the best value..

A Milgauss would be an amazing gift. Make sure it's within your budget (I know it's a gift for dad but still..), and make sure he won't miss the date..

1) The Black Bay is polarizing - some love the striking colour combinations (me) - others definitely don't dig it at all.  If you don't know where your Dad stands, I'd pass on that one.

2) A safe choice and a lovely pilots watch.  I don't find that IWC's ETA / Sellita-powered watches present a compelling value equation (i.e., you can get comparable aesthetics and overall quality for a good deal less elsewhere).  Then again, it's a gift, so value for money isn't likely going to impact how well it is received.

3) He's a Rolex man.  He owns several for a reason - he likes the brand and likes the product.  If you can swing it, this would be the way to go.

CHRK33    -  I would skip the Tudor.  Nice watch, but not being able to return it if he isn't in love with it would be an issue for me.  Not to mention, I know a few older guys that own Rolex watches, and right or wrong...they look at a Tudor as a half a Rolex.  Not sure if that's how your Dad would feel about it, and I'm sure he would be happy you got him something, but if he is really a Rolex guy this might not be the best choice.  I'd either go with something that is not Rolex related at all or a Rolex.

I like the idea of the IWC, whether as Roger suggest there is value in it, using a ETA or Sellita movement is something only you can decide.  However, its a nice gift and stays within your budget, and you never know what unexpected expenses newly weds will encounter.

If considering an Explorer 2 or a Milgauss for someone working in a restaurant, I say go for the Milgauss.  The Ex2 can handle the same abuse, but the few guy I know that have owned restaurants really bang the hell out of their watches.  When the Milgauss goes in for service they will be able to easily polish and clean up the entire watch, including the smooth bezel.  The Ex2's engraved and brushed finish bezel, will get a ton of scratches in a kitchen, possibly dinged, and there is nothing that can really be done to fix it short of replacing the actual bezel.  For someone that isn't too rough with their watches an Ex2 would be a fine choice...as an occasional scratch isn't going to matter.  But the stuff that happens in a busy restaurant or kitchen would make me choose the Milgauss.

 

[wurger]

CHRK33

While the politically correct thing to say is that the thought matters the most.

But knowing your Dad is a Rolex person, for a very good reason I also suspect, would the Tutor or IWC get much wrist time?

What I am trying to say, and of course if budget allows, would the reason for your dad to wear the watch:

1. wears the watch because his caring son got it for him

2. loves the watch and also his caring son got it for him

 

[dddrees]

Wearing this one today.

 

[RogerP]

^^^Very nice. Love the splash of colour.

 

[dopey]



It's really just a difference of opinion here, while people appreciate that mechanical watches as one of the most complicated and expensive jewellery a man can wear, it serves an important function of telling the time, and in the discussion here, the date.

The fact our calendar has 30/31/28/29 days, and with 99% of watch date display on a disc, it's physically impossible to engineer a cost effective design that can cater for that, and there are the a lot more expensive annual and perpetual calenders which Stitchy pointed out, and let me point out even perpetual calenders, when a watch is stopped, all indications have to be newly set and if over shoot happens, the owner will have to wait for the movement to stop before resetting again. Would you classify this as bad engineering?

Like the simple display of hours, minutes and seconds, the date is a display of something that is useful to the user. I guess my tolerance of changing the date display 5 times a year is not asking for much, and we all accept that a mechanical watch has its limitations on accuracy and displays, and I find the fact a watch can be 5 min faster or slower after a few months of wear with no adjustment a lot more troublesome than the fact I have change the date.

With the date, it's more of an assurance device to make sure I have the right date and the assurance is always with me when I need it, and I am not always in front of a computer.

If we can all live with all that, we should give the date display some approval.

Of course. I agree that this is just a matter of opinion and we have different values so different things bother us in different ways. I am certainly not suggesting that you stop using the day counter as a proxy for a date function if that is useful to you. I just don't like the idea that a wheel that can only keep blindly counting to 31 is considered a date function when the actual function would require it to variably count to 28, 30 and 31 in normal usage. To me, it is a kind of a cheap engineering patch for a problem that is more complicated. Others could see it as a simple, cost-efficient, elegant solution that get the job done most of the time in a way that is simple for users to correct. That is fine with me. I just wanted to explain why it bugs me and I don't want them on my watches if I can avoid it. But it's not like I want them banned or think others should avoid them.

Now, it is true that I would like to see them called day counters, since that is what they are, rather than date functions, which they really aren't. But I don't expect that will happen.

 

[wurger]

touche, Dopey, I thought they are just called date displays, but upon searching, the term date function is used... and I agree with you, they don't function at all in attempt to calculate the correct date in the standard date display.

 

[culverwood]



Of course. I agree that this is just a matter of opinion and we have different values so different things bother us in different ways. I am certainly not suggesting that you stop using the day counter as a proxy for a date function if that is useful to you. I just don't like the idea that a wheel that can only keep blindly counting to 31 is considered a date function when the actual function would require it to variably count to 28, 30 and 31 in normal usage. To me, it is a kind of a cheap engineering patch for a problem that is more complicated. Others could see it as a simple, cost-efficient, elegant solution that get the job done most of the time in a way that is simple for users to correct. That is fine with me. I just wanted to explain why it bugs me and I don't want them on my watches if I can avoid it. But it's not like I want them banned or think others should avoid them.

Now, it is true that I would like to see them called day counters, since that is what they are, rather than date functions, which they really aren't. But I don't expect that will happen.

I am surprised you allow yourself to use an hour counter that only works for half the day surely a watch like the Longines Twenty-Four Hours would be the only one for you.

Except it has a day counter.

 

[in stitches]



Cheers Stitchy, but you don't sleep much! Too much time on SF!

welp, starting goodfellas at 11:30 certainly didnt help things either. but its so good i could not resist.
--

looks like the milgaus is the frontrunner here, as i called it.

 

[in stitches]

i just couldnt resist.....

 

[dopey]

That's a cool watch and the red makes it even cooler.
So . . . what do you think your percentage of wear is going to be once the newness wears off? Between the JLC, Panie and this (am I missing anything), how often do you think each will get worn?

 

[CHRK33]

Thanks to all of you guys who are helping with my decision, Stitchy, RogerP, Dino, No Frills, RNGuy, Wurger -- this type of thoughtfulness and willingness to spend time advising others makes this thread an absolute joy.

And you guys nailed it on the head regarding why I am entertaining the thought of stretching my budget for a Rolex -- my dad (with that uniquely Southern European immigrant mindset) won't really appreciate the Tudor for its own history and is a bit of a watch snob brand-wise, which makes me shy away slightly from the IWC. He likes what he likes.

What does surprise me is that more folks aren't into the Explorer II. I thought that would get a lot of love from you guys. I find that really interesting, as I really like the Explorer. It's a big bold watch and although for me personally, it wouldn't be my top choice, it is appealing and makes a statement.

I have a ton to think about. I will definitely keep you guys posted.

Also, I have a surprise wedding watch gift from my wife-to-be that I will unveil post-honeymoon (we worked on picking it out together with some great advice from Dino). I am so excited to finally get to wear it.

 

[CHRK33]

Stitches, that is spectacular and fits a great niche in your collection. Great get!!

 

[rnguy001]

well done!

but, why the sweater? I know I'm a few miles south of you, but it's still 80+ degrees here (beautiful actually for this area this time of year!)

im guessing your office is a freezer?

i just couldnt resist.....