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

[sood]

It’s expensive enough that unless you absolutely love it, you should pass on it. That’s how I view watches anyway.

You're right, that's how I made the decision as well, this is the inverse of buyer's remorse I guess 🤣

 

[sood]

New from AD?

Yes!

 

[Scuppers]

Passed an opportunity to purchase this yesterday, don't know how I feel about the decision, liked the watch but wasn't sure about the value proposition!

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Was offered one about 6 weeks ago, its just too large.

 

[Newcomer]

I agree with @Scuppers, I think the newer one is a wee bit too large. Still nice, I just prefer the older models. That is merely a matter of preference though.

My bigger issue - and I say this with still digging the new one - it is really hard not to cross shop with vintage. This, for example:



A really nice NOS vintage will probably run you $15-20k, and you can get a bracelet.

 

[Kaplan]

Part of me thinks the MKXV is pretty much perfect

After 14 years I still feel this way about mine.

 

[beepbop]

Passed an opportunity to purchase this yesterday, don't know how I feel about the decision, liked the watch but wasn't sure about the value proposition!

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These new ones are really large! Vintage jumbo ones are a really nice size, the dimensions make it wear a little more modern.

 

[mebiuspower]

Interesting reflection from the crystal.

 

[Ebitdaddy]

Pretty impressed with the bb54’s accuracy. My wife has been using it on runs 3x a week, sometimes 10+ miles at a time and it’s maybe +6 seconds a week…

Also a little disappointed with the Sinn accuracy. Seems to be losing 6 seconds a day. Going to see how it does over the next week or so though…

 

[Scuppers]

Interesting ‘event’ coming up at Phillips, June 8 auction has a PD Duality coming up.

 

[JamesInLondon]

I've been down an IWC Pilot's rabbit hole recently. Still bummed that Foo's intriguing idea for a custom, vintage inspired Mark series never materialized. Damn you IWC! IMO this was the last of the decent Mark series watches. Standard 38mm MKXV ran from 99-mid 00's.

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Part of me thinks the MKXV is pretty much perfect (and dirt cheap) but every once in a while I'll think Hodinkee's collab or IWC's Tribute to the MKXI may work. I like the 40mm size of the Tribute that came out in '17: but the faux patina and that black date wheel are horrendous.


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They did a remake/tribute of the 3706 as well but f'ed it all up with the faux patina and a 43mm case.


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Hodinkee collab is also an abomination with the black case but it's the right size and no date is historically correct.

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Each of these models has some appeal but you'd have to take specs from each one to combine into a decent watch, IMO.

If you can't make up your mind over a Mk __, why not go for the original?

Although, of the two models of MkXI, I much prefer the JLC; but the IWC version is much more numerous and easily found.

 

[edmorel]

I've been down an IWC Pilot's rabbit hole recently. Still bummed that Foo's intriguing idea for a custom, vintage inspired Mark series never materialized. Damn you IWC! IMO this was the last of the decent Mark series watches. Standard 38mm MKXV ran from 99-mid 00's.

View attachment 2171631

Part of me thinks the MKXV is pretty much perfect (and dirt cheap) but every once in a while I'll think Hodinkee's collab or IWC's Tribute to the MKXI may work. I like the 40mm size of the Tribute that came out in '17: but the faux patina and that black date wheel are horrendous.


View attachment 2171629


They did a remake/tribute of the 3706 as well but f'ed it all up with the faux patina and a 43mm case.


View attachment 2171619

Hodinkee collab is also an abomination with the black case but it's the right size and no date is historically correct.

View attachment 2171633


Each of these models has some appeal but you'd have to take specs from each one to combine into a decent watch, IMO.

I’m not a fan of the faux patina but I am a IWC fan. I recognize that I have lower standards as it were in that I don’t care too much about the historical correctness of various models, I either like a model or I don’t. I also veer towards larger watches which, particularly now, is not where the market is but that’s part of what attracts me to IWC. They have some iconic models that works well in the >40mm case size. The Ingenieur, Aquatimer, Big Pilot, Portugusier are pretty much unchanged since introduced.

 

[edmorel]

Passed an opportunity to purchase this yesterday, don't know how I feel about the decision, liked the watch but wasn't sure about the value proposition!

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I think I am the only person

Passed an opportunity to purchase this yesterday, don't know how I feel about the decision, liked the watch but wasn't sure about the value proposition!

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I think I am the only person that doesn’t “get” this watch.

Also, am I the only one that has issues with this site on their phone?

 

[Texasmade]

Also, am I the only one that has issues with this site on their phone?

No. I have lots of trouble viewing on my phone too. Works fine on my work laptop though.

 

[patrick_b]

I’m not a fan of the faux patina but I am a IWC fan.

Feel exactly the same way. I still have a soft spot for IWC but like many folks feel they've lost their way in the design department. Every year I look forward to their releases but have been disappointed. On a positive note, the early 00's era IWC watches are super inexpensive and with the ETA movements can be refurbished by anyone.

I like the old square hands on the Mark series watches but the sword hands look great on the Big Pilot. Again, if I could combine certain elements of several models, it would be perfect.

39-40mm brushed case
Square hands/matte dial from the MK XV
Date is OK with a white date wheel
Minimal text, IWC or even maybe IWC Schaffhausen
100m WR

With all that said, I'd like to take a look at the 43mm Big Pilot with the blue gradient dial. Sword hands look OK to me on that model but I'm worried that 43mm is too big. Someone posted one here but I couldn't find it. Paging @Neville Southall, was that you?

 

[Ebitdaddy]

About to give up on the NSO Santos idea and might just do something simpler like a tank. I can't believe how long the design approval stage is taking. I didn't even ask for much. Basically just a guilloche dial...

Then again might regret this later...lol