The Watch Appreciation Thread - Page 667

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cylon 

Ok now in all seriousness...

 

Regarding Dino944's watches: The Cartier is absolutely beautiful. I am in love with the open caseback. A new one was released at SIHH, do you know the differences between the two? The VC is also beautiful, and the caseback again is striking. Not sure if I like the corners on the case of the VC(for myself), but nevertheless they do not take away from the overall beauty of the watch.

 

Hi Cylon,

Thanks for the kind words about my CPCP Tank XL.  So far I have only heard a little about the new one released at SIHH.  It will be slightly larger, the movement is the same, but I'm not sure it will have an exhibition back.  So far photos also don't show any guilloche on the dial, although maybe the photos aren't so good yet.  Also, I don't think its production will be as limited as the Collection Privee pieces were.  A friend who moderates a watch forum, collects Cartier, and who was at SIHH last week told me the new Tank is nice but not quite as nice as the old Privee version (like mine).

As for the VC, its a modern version of a design VC did in the 1930s, but larger.  Although the lugs might not be your taste, its actually famous for those lugs and its probably a watch thats better appreciated in person.  When you see the watch in person, the lugs make it wear larger and they add to the "stepped" theme of the case and dial.  It goes upward from the lugs, to the case, the the crystal, then back downward into the dial where there are outlines are around the hour markers and then the subdial for seconds is sunken inward.  Its the type of watch that the more you wear it the more you notice small details that add to how well thought out the design is, and how much work went into its execution.  Still, no watch can be everything to everyone so I can understand if the design just doesn't appeal to you, but its a design I really love.

I have one other dress watch and its a VC, but I'll have to post it when I have more time.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuttingboard 

Thanks Newcomer,
Yes, I'm willing to consider all brands in this price range...except the Grand Seiko. Can't get past the mental block of paying that much for a Japanese watch.
I don't know much about Ulysse Nardin but I have seen some gorgeous Glasshute Original and JLC's pictured on this thread. I believe you have several?
I don't really want a diver...a double chronograph with black face and date would be perfect if it I could find one smaller than 44mm. I want something very elegant and timeless.
I really like these:
1) GO: Sixties Square Chronograph with black face and Seventies Panorama date with grey dial;
2) JLC: Master Chronograph but have only seen them with a silver dial.
How well do GO's and JLC's hold their value?
I failed to mention that I want a watch I can wear everyday.
I love these but I'm sure its out of my price range.


Master Control Chronograph (ref. 1538420)

I have no idea what model this is but it would be perfect!!

Some very nice choices.  I really like that JLC Master Control Chronograph, thats a beauty!  Obviously, you have to buy a brand and watch that you are happy with, both interms of functions and what appeals to you.  You have some good possible choices in the $5-7,000 range.  I can tell you if you tire of watches quickly and like to trade them, stay away from GO and JLC.  As nice as they are a friend of mine has a limited edition JLC Master Antoine 8 day reserve, 1 of 200 made in platinum.  When he wanted to trade/sell it to buy something else, one place told him they weren't interested in what they called "off brands" like JLC, GO, UN etc.  They really focus on buying Patek, Lange, Rolex as they said there is a distinct and strong used market for these brand, while JLC, GO, UN and others you have to wait and hope to find the right buyer.  It was a learning lesson for him.  In the end it worked out since he decided to keep his JLC, but its quite an eye opener when a place says there isn't much of a used market for fine watches like JLC.  It doesn't mean there isn't a used market for them, just that its much smaller and with a smaller audience you might not get as much of your money out of a watch or it might take longer to do so.  On the other hand discounts have always been greater on watches like JLC's than Rolex so that might be something to consider.
 

Similar to Cuttingboard, I'm also looking for a new watch, and in the under 7.5K range (preferably around 5K). This will be my first "real" watch, and probably the only watch I'm going to wear for a long time.

So I've been trying to decide based on the balance of several criteria, in rough order of priority.

• Aesthetics, of course.
• Versatility -- Since this will be my only watch for a while, I want to be able to wear it in a lot of different situations; the classics "suits to jeans".
• Durability -- Of course I'd prefer that it doesn't break. But this also includes resistance to scratches, can it take a little splashing around (definition TBD...), can I pass it on to my (as yet unborn) kids?

But anyways, on to the fun stuff, the candidates:

IWC Portuguese Chronograph 3714

(Love the aesthetics, concerned about the durability.)

Rolex Submariner 14060M

(I like the aesthetics slightly less, but definitely wins on the durability, and slightly better on the versatility front, I think.)

The other idea is to just give up completely on the versatility front, and go for the dressier watch that will get less wear, and with that, the need for durability becomes less, and then get some really nice in that space (like a JLC Ultra Thin, Ultra Moon, or Master Chronograph).

Thoughts?