The Watch Appreciation Thread - Part two (Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Jaeger LeCoultre,

[TheFoo]

Bro, just cause it is called a “MilSub” doesn’t make it a combat watch. You are a sucker’s sucker. Even by Rolex standards of exaggeration this takes the cake.

You do realize “MilSub” isn’t a model name, right? It refers to watches issued by the British MoD to Royal Navy divers.

 

[chocomallo]

So, I see I have to spell this out.

Prior to 1998, Patek made exceedingly few chronograph-only watches (see the models mentioned above for some better-known examples). Only in the hundreds, if that, over many decades. In all those instances, the movements were much smaller than the current 29-535. Let me underline again: there were NO chronograph-only watches from Patek for most of the second half of the 20th century. And until 5070, almost none had any water resistence.

In other words, determining what is “normal” for a Patek chronograph is fundamentally intractable.



Datejust has a depth rating of 100M. The basic Submariner has a 300M depth rating. The most hardcore Sea-Dweller has a 3,900M depth rating.

Also, Datejusts don’t have rotating bezels or helium escape valves.



1. They may replace the case.

2. Re-cutting the case is different from a standard polish. Patek will not re-cut a watch that has already been purchased.

“Re-cutting”? Is this the kind of fluff you use in banking to say polishing is not polishing? You can’t uncircumcise a watch.

 

[chocomallo]

So, I see I have to spell this out.

Prior to 1998, Patek made exceedingly few chronograph-only watches (see the models mentioned above for some better-known examples). Only in the hundreds, if that, over many decades. In all those instances, the movements were much smaller than the current 29-535. Let me underline again: there were NO chronograph-only watches from Patek for most of the second half of the 20th century. And until the 5070, almost none had any water resistance.

In other words, determining what is “normal” for a Patek chronograph is highly contentious.



Datejust has a depth rating of 100M. The basic Submariner has a 300M depth rating. The most hardcore Sea-Dweller has a 3,900M depth rating.

Also, Datejusts don’t have rotating bezels or helium escape valves.



1. They may replace the case.

2. Re-cutting the case is different from a standard polish. Patek will not re-cut a watch that has already been purchased.

The 5070 was an abomination that took a movement that most brands, including Patek, used in sub-37mm. It only recently became popular. So again you are rationalizing your purchase when you trash the 41OP for the same reason. If you cannot admit that, you are delusional.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

View attachment 1544440

I can’t believe how white the lumed bits are. Unless it was photoshopped or if the watch had not seen light.

 

[Scuppers]

Hey, as amusing as this all is, could you not move it to PM.

 

[TheFoo]

The 5070 was an abomination that took a movement that most brands, including Patek, used in sub-37mm. It only recently became popular.

Only recently? Sounds like you only recently started learning about watches.

 

[TheFoo]

“Re-cutting”? Is this the kind of fluff you use in banking to say polishing is not polishing? You can’t uncircumcise a watch.

I am not a polishing expert. However, “re-cutting” means restoration/preservations of edges and chamfers that are dulled/smoothed in any typical service polishing by a manufacturer.

 

[am55]

You do realize “MilSub” isn’t a model name, right? It refers to watches issued by the British MoD to Royal Navy divers.

If you want a military connection, there's an easier one: the sub was allegedly co-developed by Cousteau, a naval combat diver and almost certainly action service spy whose crew had many fellow naval divers.

Spoiler

It's forgotten now but Silent World depicts his crew dynamite fishing ("to count the fish"), beating sharks to death on the deck ("they are the enemy of sailors") and even ramming a whale in clouds of blood after chasing it ("whoops"). The film has not aged well but depicts a certain hard charging culture not surprising amongst recently demobilised commandos some of whom had known WWII.

 

[chocomallo]

You do realize “MilSub” isn’t a model name, right? It refers to watches issued by the British MoD to Royal Navy divers.

Yes dipshit, but you posted a picture of it when I said Rolex hasn’t staked a claim to combat watches. It’s a watch that has no combat history and there are plenty of other watches ordered by defense ministries that are of the same vein. So your reply wasn’t very clever.

 

[chocomallo]

I am not a polishing expert. However, “re-cutting” means restoration/preservations of edges and chamfers that are dulled/smoothed in any typical service polishing by a manufacturer.

Wow. A moment of humility. And utter stupidity. How can you adhere to the widely held belief that any polishing alters a case from its original dimensions yet believe that a case can be re-cut and some how be restored? Maybe Patek has a special machine that vapor deposits individual atoms in the exact right spot but they have never disclosed the process publicly. And they only use it to fix shop worn NOS watches.

 

[NakedYoga]

For **** sake, you two are worse than a couple of ******* children. If you really feel the need to continue your horological dick measuring contest, do it in private.

 

[TheFoo]

Yes dipshit, but you posted a picture of it when I said Rolex hasn’t staked a claim to combat watches. It’s a watch that has no combat history and there are plenty of other watches ordered by defense ministries that are of the same vein. So your reply wasn’t very clever.

Does a fighter jet have to be in a fight to be called a fighter jet?

Anyways, MilSubs were known to be used by Royal Navy divers on mine-hunting missions. If that doesn’t qualify, I think you are splitting hairs.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

If you want a military connection, there's an easier one: the sub was allegedly co-developed by Cousteau, a naval combat diver and almost certainly action service spy whose crew had many fellow naval divers.

Spoiler

It's forgotten now but Silent World depicts his crew dynamite fishing ("to count the fish"), beating sharks to death on the deck ("they are the enemy of sailors") and even ramming a whale in clouds of blood after chasing it ("whoops"). The film has not aged well but depicts a certain hard charging culture not surprising amongst recently demobilised commandos some of whom had known WWII.

View attachment 1544454

Forget Jacques! Let’s talk more about Celine.

 

[chocomallo]

Does a fighter jet have to be in a fight to be called a fighter jet?

Anyways, MilSubs were known to be used by Royal Navy divers on mine-hunting missions. If that doesn’t qualify, I think you are splitting hairs.

Mine hunting missions in which war?

 

[TheFoo]

Wow. A moment of humility. And utter stupidity. How can you adhere to the widely held belief that any polishing alters a case from its original dimensions yet believe that a case can be re-cut and some how be restored? Maybe Patek has a special machine that vapor deposits individual atoms in the exact right spot but they have never disclosed the process publicly. And they only use it to fix shop worn NOS watches.

Regular service polishing absolutely does alter a case’s profile. I speak from direct experience. The effect is amplified with softer metals like gold.

When they “re-cut” the case, they polish it similarly to how it was done at time of manufacturing. That is a far more involved process. Like I said, I am not an expert on this so I don’t know the details.

But I do know that high-end makers like Patek hand-polish all new watch cases before they leave the factory—so each watch has already been polished to a different degree, yet also has a crisp-as-new profile and edges. Clearly, there is a difference versus service polishing.

In both cases, some minute amount of metal is removed. Yet, re-cutting keeps or restores the shape of the watch.