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

[mebiuspower]

It's been a while since the top brass wore anything interesting: https://www.washingtonpost.com/worl...9937f2-f8e4-11e1-8398-0327ab83ab91_story.html

https://www.hautetime.com/swiss-wat...china-announces-ban-on-luxury-gift-ads/18065/

I mean... you don't actually believe any of that do you? There will always be someone from the higher ups that don't follow these rules.

 

[am55]

I mean... you don't actually believe any of that do you? There will always be someone from the higher ups that don't follow these rules.

It's not about rules, it's about 1. a type of "weakness" when you let yourself enjoy stuff (even privately) instead of wholesale sinking yourself into the power ladder games, and yes, the MSS/MPS/CNSC knows what you have at home 2. the system noticing it with various consequences. Pre-Xi was considerably more decentralised and had greater acceptance of corruption as the natural order of things (i.e. if you do well as governor of X, the citizen of X won't put pressure on the CPC branch of X to do anything about the % you extract as payment for said work).

Definitely in the Sinosphere I've noticed a general sobering since the Xi era, although I only know minor CPC officials (related to a Shanghai one in fact), being a nobody laowai and not having set foot on Chinese soil in at least half a decade. But get the echoes. I wonder if ernais are out as well.

 

[Newcomer]

I thought the Fratelloris was a nice collab:

Looks better than other Oris’.

 

[DorianGreen]

A watch only a senior CCP official can love.

OMG, no limit to tackiness.

 

[DorianGreen]

I thought the Fratelloris was a nice collab:

View attachment 1864870

Looks better than other Oris’.

Actually the most of them look nice to me.

 

[DorianGreen]

It's been a while since the top brass wore anything interesting: https://www.washingtonpost.com/worl...9937f2-f8e4-11e1-8398-0327ab83ab91_story.html

https://www.hautetime.com/swiss-wat...china-announces-ban-on-luxury-gift-ads/18065/

But fortunately the Chinese middle class was there to pick up the slack: https://www.afr.com/world/asia/chinese-investors-pick-luxury-watches-over-houses-20211222-p59jm3

US version:

View attachment 1864819

What an awful one!

 

[esoxm]

Plebby question but best starter watch for an 18-year-old headed off to college? Under, say, $3K? Mechanical only.

Find a good example of a seamaster 2254.50? The one I had (before losing it in a break in) was always mentally set aside as one I wouldn't mind gifting to a kid at the right time.

 

[mebiuspower]

Find a good example of a seamaster 2254.50? The one I had (before losing it in a break in) was always mentally set aside as one I wouldn't mind gifting to a kid at the right time.

Those vintages should be treasured not abused!

 

[Idesofmarch17]

Thoughts on this polar? 2002, has all the papers, but it looks like it has been polished at least once. Good price, but unsure given the polish and figured you inquiring minds might have good advice

. Between 7-8k.

 

[brax]

Thoughts on this polar? 2002, has all the papers, but it looks like it has been polished at least once. Good price, but unsure given the polish and figured you inquiring minds might have good advice View attachment 1864922 View attachment 1864923 View attachment 1864925 View attachment 1864926 View attachment 1864922 View attachment 1864923 View attachment 1864925 View attachment 1864926 . Between 7-8k.

I see zero problem with your contemplated purchase. I own this Explorer II (black dial version) and could not be happier with it.

 

[patrick_b]

Thoughts on this polar? 2002, has all the papers, but it looks like it has been polished at least once. Good price, but unsure given the polish and figured you inquiring minds might have good advice

If it's a reputable seller, that's a great watch. 20 year old watches are often polished. That wouldn't deter me but just one man's opinion.

Love the lug holes. Wish they still did that and the Explorer II looks great on a strap.

 

[9thsymph]

He's back...

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/talking-watches-john-goldberger-part-2

 

[Dino944]

Thoughts on this polar? 2002, has all the papers, but it looks like it has been polished at least once. Good price, but unsure given the polish and figured you inquiring minds might have good advice View attachment 1864922 View attachment 1864923 View attachment 1864925 View attachment 1864926 View attachment 1864922 View attachment 1864923 View attachment 1864925 View attachment 1864926 . Between 7-8k.

I've had the black dial version for over 20 years and its a great watch. As others have said, most 20 year old watches have been polished at least once. This entire thing about not polishing watches has only become a big issue for people in say the last 10 years or so. Prior to that, most people didn't give much thought to it and were happy to get their watch coming back looking like close to new condition. Also with laser welding and other work some places do, as has been discussed here before, even some watches that are allegedly "Unpolished" may have been "Touched up." Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[mebiuspower]

The dial quality is not at the same level as a GO or ALS but I still prefer this no-frill, utilitarian design 14 years into my ownership.

 

[NakedYoga]

The dial quality is not at the same level as a GO or ALS but I still prefer this no-frill, utilitarian design 14 years into my ownership.

View attachment 1865160

That's cool. I admire a lot of the Sinn pieces for their utilitarian design. I definitely like their flieger chronographs, and the 556 mother of pearl model is pretty cool too.