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

[NakedYoga]

I would not shower with any watch, unless there is no secure place to store the watch (like a public shower). In that case, I would try to put the watch in a corner that is visible to me and away from the water and the prying hands of others.

There is, of course, another place you can store the watch...if you are brave enough.

 

[Dino944]

It’s funny because the MP is constantly quoted as limited to a few hundred pieces, but a quick search online will show at least with the white gold version that there are serial numbers in the 500s. And there were CC series and CE series of each. And on the yellow gold at least there were three models—without a letter and with a B or an E. Not sure on white gold. Not to mention the XL size. You can also tell if the movement has ever been serviced based on the bridge layout at 4 o’clock with the crown facing left. Cartier replaced the bridge with fancier polished springs during service. A lot of interesting details that I haven’t seen discussed before.

The Tortue MP is a beautiful watch, but I agree there were certainly more than a few hundred produced, as evidenced by the various serial numbers. It's easy to see that a good number were produced as there versions in yg, wg, and pg, different dials (on yellow and wg), and then the XL size was released later. In addition, the MP watches were in productions in some form for the majority of the time that CPCP pieces were produced. I'm not that surprised that you had some issues with it sliding under a dress shirt, as it does wear on the chunky side. The important thing was that you enjoyed it for many years and now you are enjoying other watches.

Personally prefer the GP 8050 MP (same THA movement), but GP have squandered any cache they ever had with current nonsense)

I am presently evaluating this Tank: View attachment 1567006
Issue: bracelet. Just looks heavy (haven’t seen it in person [it’s in Italy], and a tank, ironically, shouldn’t be heavy.

Without a doubt one of the most beautiful Tanks I've ever seen. Absolutely love the bracelet and that it seems to have a matte or brushed finish. Makes it a bit more understated, and in my opinion easier to wear. I hope you get it so we can see some wrist shots of that beauty soon!

 

[usctrojans31]

Pretty mediocre and uninspired to me. And with the notable exception of the Explorer, I dislike the mixing of the numerals and stick indexes. Also the official description refers to "sprezzaturra", so, you know...

Swatch

Then it's not just me. I saw it and actually cocked my head to the side in disbelief of how banal it is.

 

[NakedYoga]

Then it's not just me. I saw it and actually cocked my head to the side in disbelief of how banal it is.

Yeah, I mean, if someone else likes it, great. It just does nothing for me. Pretty big price tag for it, too.

 

[classicalthunde]

Birthday Watch Search update #2:

Stopped by the 2nd not-so-local AD today during lunch and met with one of their SAs. Went through the whole rigmarole of "I'm looking for a SS Rolex No-Date Sub"...let him know that I understand they are tough to come by these days and that it was hopefully for a summer or fall 2022 purchase. I went into a few details about why I'm specifically interested in the 124060 (case adjustments from the previous maxi-case models, new movement, prefer the symmetry classic look of the no-date models). Let him know that overall I prefer sport watches to dress watches cause I'm typically pretty rough on my watches (showed him my GMT II Pepsi, ding ands and all), and that eventually I want to be able to leave one to each of my sons, etc.

The SA was nice and as helpful as he could be given the circumstance, and he noted that they were tough to come by these days, evidenced by the fact that they had zero men's models in the store despite being one main ADs in the region. But he was pretty interested in my GMT, so I talked about how I picked it up in the mid 00s and how the experience was so different than my current ordeal. The SA mentioned specifically that they get a lot of inquiries but I was doing things that would help
play in my favor (coming in early to meet with someone in person, understanding the market, showing that I know what I'm talking about, and showing how I have a connection/passion for this type of watch that indicates I'm going to hold onto it rather than flip it, etc.) He said, he obviously cant guarantee anything but that he's hopeful that things will work out within the rough timeline that I laid out.

This AD also carries JLC, so I took a look at the JLC MUT Moon as a potential back up option. I only like a handful of dress watch models, and this is one of the few in my price range. I like the moonphase complication (always wanted one of those!), the display case back, and the fact that its steel; not so nuts over the clasp (can't really see in the image but its a hybrid pin button and deployant clasp), but I guess that's a relatively minor issue...

The 124060 is still a clear front runner, but I'll mull this option over for the next couple of months....


Other options still to view in person:
Patek 5022
Cartier Tank Louis
ALS Saxonia (if it can be had sub 15K)

 

[usctrojans31]

I have a lot of friends with the MUT Moon and they all love it. Highly recommend.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Thoughts on Glashute Original? As a while but also specifically the Pano series.

 

[Ranjeev]

I have the MUT. Great watch. Would consider the perpetual UT as well.

 

[jischwar]

Thoughts on Glashute Original? As a while but also specifically the Pano series.

Love a lot of their dials, but they are so damn thick! Don't fit under shirt cuffs

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

Thoughts on Glashute Original? As a while but also specifically the Pano series.

I own the (sadly unloved) GO Panomatic Date. It is 39 mm wide and 11.9 mm thick, so a bit on the big side for a dress watch. It looks like a tuna can from the side (no domed crystal), but I haven't had a problem fitting it under most of my dress shirt cuffs. I like the watch a lot. Many people view GO Pano series as a poor man's Lange 1, but it is a fine watch line in its own right. While not finished to the level of the Lange, the GO's big-date complication is far superior because both digits are on the same plane.

 

[usctrojans31]

Thoughts on Glashute Original? As a while but also specifically the Pano series.

I own the (sadly unloved) GO Panomatic Date. It is 39 mm wide and 11.9 mm thick, so a bit on the big side for a dress watch. It looks like a tuna can from the side (no domed crystal), but I haven't had a problem fitting it under most of my dress shirt cuffs. I like the watch a lot. Many people view GO Pano series as a poor man's Lange 1, but it is a fine watch line in its own right. While not finished to the level of the Lange, the GO's big-date complication is far superior because both digits are on the same plane.

I'm reminded of a Chris Harris quote from a few years ago. [On people who buy a Jaguar F Type] "It's for people who can't afford an Aston Martin."

Despite that, some of the pieces are really interesting. I'd likely never buy one but would not bemoan someone who did.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Thanks for the replies. The thickness alone would put me off.

 

[classicalthunde]

I have a lot of friends with the MUT Moon and they all love it. Highly recommend.

I have the MUT. Great watch. Would consider the perpetual UT as well.

I do like it...it checks a lot of the boxes (fits well, walks the line between a causal and dress watch, well respected/prestigious maker). I'll seriously consider it over the course of the next year or so...but as someone whose bought exactly 1 nice watch and wears it daily I want to make sure I'm not just looking to buy the JLC cause I have a cash burning a whole in my pocket and am craving to make a nice watch purchase for my birthday as opposed to being in love with the watch itself.

It sounds corny, but I kind of approach watches from a 'marriage' perspective rather than as a 'serial dater' who buys/trades-up/wants a different style in 2 years, etc.

The No-Date Sub and the Patek 5022 have been on my grail list for ~20 years, so I 100% know I will be satisficed with either of those; plus they would both make great heirloom items. And while I'm sure I'd be pretty happy with the MUT, I also fear that I'd get a call like 2 months after a JLC purchase that a No-Date is in and I wouldn't have the flexibility to pull the trigger

edit: wow, after re-reading that it seems like I'm bringing a lot of baggage into this purchase, lol

 

[chocomallo]

My other recent love beside the Tank is this Chopard. I love how the dial works despite how busy it looks. For someone not sold on the size of the Speedmaster or looking for something a little different, I think this fits the bill. It is also pretty slim and wears very well. For all the recent discussion about too many lawyers here, I actually sought it out after seeing a lawyer wearing it. So at least in my opinions lawyers can be of some value from time to time. At least he didn’t charge me to look at his wrist.

 

[Scuppers]

My other recent love beside the Tank is this Chopard. I love how the dial works despite how busy it looks. For someone not sold on the size of the Speedmaster or looking for something a little different, I think this fits the bill. It is also pretty slim and wears very well. For all the recent discussion about too many lawyers here, I actually sought it out after seeing a lawyer wearing it. So at least in my opinions lawyers can be of some value from time to time. At least he didn’t charge me to look at his wrist.

View attachment 1567788

It’s a classic!
Though I prefer the rubber (or is it leather) punched strap over the bracelet.