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

[Dino944]

Very insightful. Thank you.

The problem is that my AD has not had it and when I visit other ADs they have not had it in stock. Thus I’m unsure if all the elements go well together (especially concerned about the shade of salmon). I arrived in Vegas tonight so I may have an opportunity to see it at the joint at the Wynn Hotel.

BTW, the PP representative at Crystal told me that PP just informed a big group of ADs that their contracts will not be renewed. Hoping that’s inaccurate and praying that it doesn’t affect my AD.

Glad that helped. Yes, I understand it can be really tough to see certain pieces in person. We just happened to be lucky that on the day we visited the city our former SA from the Rolex boutique saw us outside and invited us to come in to check out the new store. Perhaps, also being a newer boutique, they had a nicer selection of Pateks (there were a few other complicated pieces I realized later I didn't even photograph). Obviously, one really has to see any piece in person to be sure if it works in terms of style, colors, and fit. However, I would say, that photo I posted really captured the shade of salmon quite accurately. Also, I don't know if it helps, but as much as I respect Patek, I've never been what some folks here would call a fanboy, in fact Foo always thought I was far to critical and anti Patek, which I'm not. I just think if one is spending serious money, it has to be really special one has to love the watch (regardless of brand) and some of their pieces are a miss at least for me. So perhaps the fact that someone like me who doesn't have a reputation here for being a "Patek Fanboy" thinks its special, perhaps that adds a little more weight to my opinion on the piece, and it's a piece that you should try to have an AD or Boutique bring in for you to see in person.

Wishing you lots of luck with your Vegas adventures and on your hunt for a 5172g.

 

[DorianGreen]

Pretty attractive, the TAG Heuer Carrera Seafarer X Hodinkee.

https://le.hodinkee.com/tag-heuer-carrera-chronograph-seafarer-hodinkee

 

[Mute]

Very insightful. Thank you.

The problem is that my AD has not had it and when I visit other ADs they have not had it in stock. Thus I’m unsure if all the elements go well together (especially concerned about the shade of salmon). I arrived in Vegas tonight so I may have an opportunity to see it at the joint at the Wynn Hotel.

BTW, the PP representative at Crystal told me that PP just informed a big group of ADs that their contracts will not be renewed. Hoping that’s inaccurate and praying that it doesn’t affect my AD.

Some of the makers seem to be cutting out ADs across the board. It's been really difficult getting a look at many models in person. If you don't have any luck with your search, let me know. I may be able to help you at least get a look on video from my sources. Good luck.

 

[michaelvl]

ZeitOops
View attachment 2226317 View attachment 2226319

That must have hurt. If the case however is made of SS, it can be restored back to pristine condition, by means of laser welding and then recutting. Take a look at the work of watchfreind.de on instagram or the website of International Watch Works for example. Often OEM manufacturers offer such restorations themselves.

 

[pmeis]

My Armin Strom took a rock to the bezel from my kiddo today. Not Ebit's Zeitwerk bad, but still pretty annoying. I suppose the issue with treating a nice watch as an everyday type of watch is that it's eventually going to end up looking like an everyday type of watch. At least he didn't hit the crystal...

 

[Texasmade]

That must have hurt. If the case however is made of SS, it can be restored back to pristine condition, by means of laser welding and then recutting. Take a look at the work of watchfreind.de on instagram or the website of International Watch Works for example. Often OEM manufacturers offer such restorations themselves.

It's an ALS so the watch is either white gold or platinum.

 

[mebiuspower]

ALS can do complete case restoration by laser welding. Only thing is you have to pay a pretty penny for that service.

 

[Newcomer]

Very insightful. Thank you.

The problem is that my AD has not had it and when I visit other ADs they have not had it in stock. Thus I’m unsure if all the elements go well together (especially concerned about the shade of salmon). I arrived in Vegas tonight so I may have an opportunity to see it at the joint at the Wynn Hotel.

BTW, the PP representative at Crystal told me that PP just informed a big group of ADs that their contracts will not be renewed. Hoping that’s inaccurate and praying that it doesn’t affect my AD.

I have mentioned this before - and of course, I have no inside information - I think it is inevitable that my AD gets cut. It is the only location that services a metropolitan population way under 1m people. The number is currently at 39, and it is my understanding that the list had previously been whittled down to somewhere in the low 30s (I want to say 33-34). However, it would be news to me that there is another round of cuts (below the low 30s). I understood that all cuts had been communicated for a while.

Glad that helped. Yes, I understand it can be really tough to see certain pieces in person. We just happened to be lucky that on the day we visited the city our former SA from the Rolex boutique saw us outside and invited us to come in to check out the new store. Perhaps, also being a newer boutique, they had a nicer selection of Pateks (there were a few other complicated pieces I realized later I didn't even photograph). Obviously, one really has to see any piece in person to be sure if it works in terms of style, colors, and fit. However, I would say, that photo I posted really captured the shade of salmon quite accurately. Also, I don't know if it helps, but as much as I respect Patek, I've never been what some folks here would call a fanboy, in fact Foo always thought I was far to critical and anti Patek, which I'm not. I just think if one is spending serious money, it has to be really special one has to love the watch (regardless of brand) and some of their pieces are a miss at least for me. So perhaps the fact that someone like me who doesn't have a reputation here for being a "Patek Fanboy" thinks its special, perhaps that adds a little more weight to my opinion on the piece, and it's a piece that you should try to have an AD or Boutique bring in for you to see in person.

Wishing you lots of luck with your Vegas adventures and on your hunt for a 5172g.

I have seen and tried on the 5172g in blue and salmon. It is way nicer than I expected. Surprisingly thin, the pusher action is very nice, and it wears better than a lot of Pateks. Manual chronograph movement looks very nice as well - certainly a cut above any movement sub $100,000. I preferred the blue to the salmon, I just felt like the washed-out blue suited the design better. Salmon still nice, of course.

 

[Roikins]

ALS can do complete case restoration by laser welding. Only thing is you have to pay a pretty penny for that service.

Weird question, and I understand the whole "keeping original parts" thing, but wouldn't it be easier to just replace the whole case, repro the SN engravings, and ALS can melt down the old case for re-use?

 

[Ebitdaddy]

I should have provided more color lol

When I ordered a zeitwerk before, the boutique sent me that watch, which was missing a chunk of the lugs.

They fixed it, but...

WTF?

And funny story too. My wife was holding it said a chunk of the lug was missing. I told her ITS IMPOSSIBLE ITS LANGE LOL and then I walked over and she was 100% correct lol

 

[Neville Southall]

I should have provided more color lol

When I ordered a zeitwerk before, the boutique sent me that watch, which was missing a chunk of the lugs.

They fixed it, but...

WTF?

And funny story too. My wife was holding it said a chunk of the lug was missing. I told her ITS IMPOSSIBLE ITS LANGE LOL and then I walked over and she was 100% correct lol

I'm not the least bit surprised because Lange is dogwater.

 

[Omega Male]

I'm not the least bit surprised because Lange is dogwater.

I still have a bit of a thing for them. (Pardon my meat club.)

 

[Texasmade]

I'm not the least bit surprised because Lange is dogwater.

I like some of their watches like 1815 Chrono and Up/Down. I never really cared for the Lange 1, Datograph, or some of their other calendar complications.

 

[DorianGreen]

I'm not the least bit surprised because Lange is dogwater.

I could never see what's the fuss about Lange. Boring German design.

 

[Neville Southall]

Boring German

And that's pretty rare.