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

[Dino944]

I don't think we actually disagree that much, they should definitely be better...though I think my opinion on other bracelets in the $2k to GS price range is way worse than yours as I generally think most bracelets are bad. Until the latest generation of Speedmaster bracelets, I don't think the Omega bracelets were any better or worse than GS. I just don't think the GS bracelets are remarkably bad compared to the majority of what's out there, because most bracelets are bad...

The only bracelet I've ever really cared for and enjoyed wearing are Rolex Oyster bracelets (I'm sure I'd appreciate the feel of a Jubilee as well, but I've never had the pleasure for some reason). I appreciate the Santos bracelet a lot (it's well finished and easy to adjust), but I can't say I enjoyed wearing it that way.

Of course this is generally why you see most of my watches on rubber, fabric or leather, so I may just be a bracelet hater and not the best judge.

Yes, perhaps you are more a strap guy, and I'm totally a bracelet guy, especially for sports watches. I generally won't even consider a sports watch that doesn't have a bracelet available.

Current Rolex bracelets and clasps are all nicer than what is on a GS. Bracelets on the Santos, Tank Francaise, and Pasha are all far nicer and higher quality. While Cartier is often unfairly viewed as just a jewelry company that makes some watches, perhaps their background in jewelry helps when they design and make bracelets. The bracelet on IWC's current Ingenieur is far nicer, and I'd say the same even of some of their older bracelets like the one for the original GST and the original pyramid style link bracelet for the the 3706 and 3713 Pilot watches., are again nicer and higher quality. I think Omega bracelets all seem to be far better than what I tried on from GS.

So for big fan's of sports watches on bracelets, GS has a long way to go to be competitive with other companies.

 

[Clouseau]

Yes, perhaps you are more a strap guy, and I'm totally a bracelet guy, especially for sports watches. I generally won't even consider a sports watch that doesn't have a bracelet available.

Current Rolex bracelets and clasps are all nicer than what is on a GS. Bracelets on the Santos, Tank Francaise, and Pasha are all far nicer and higher quality. While Cartier is often unfairly viewed as just a jewelry company that makes some watches, perhaps their background in jewelry helps when they design and make bracelets. The bracelet on IWC's current Ingenieur is far nicer, and I'd say the same even of some of their older bracelets like the one for the original GST and the original pyramid style link bracelet for the the 3706 and 3713 Pilot watches., are again nicer and higher quality. I think Omega bracelets all seem to be far better than what I tried on from GS.

So for big fan's of sports watches on bracelets, GS has a long way to go to be competitive with other companies.

Will add the Tudor bracelet with T-fit clasp that is pretty nice.

 

[pmeis]

Yes, perhaps you are more a strap guy, and I'm totally a bracelet guy, especially for sports watches. I generally won't even consider a sports watch that doesn't have a bracelet available.

Current Rolex bracelets and clasps are all nicer than what is on a GS. Bracelets on the Santos, Tank Francaise, and Pasha are all far nicer and higher quality. While Cartier is often unfairly viewed as just a jewelry company that makes some watches, perhaps their background in jewelry helps when they design and make bracelets. The bracelet on IWC's current Ingenieur is far nicer, and I'd say the same even of some of their older bracelets like the one for the original GST and the original pyramid style link bracelet for the the 3706 and 3713 Pilot watches., are again nicer and higher quality. I think Omega bracelets all seem to be far better than what I tried on from GS.

So for big fan's of sports watches on bracelets, GS has a long way to go to be competitive with other companies.

The bracelet for my Moser is supposed to be fantastic, maybe I'll add it someday, but at $1250 it ain't cheap. I wouldn't mind ordering it eventually, but at that price, it seems a bit silly given how much I like the watch on rubber.

 

[mebiuspower]

The bracelet for my Moser is supposed to be fantastic, maybe I'll add it someday, but at $1250 it ain't cheap. I wouldn't mind ordering it eventually, but at that price, it seems a bit silly given how much I like the watch on rubber.

$1200 is cheap for a bracelet.

 

[Texasmade]

$1200 is cheap for a bracelet.

Omega normally charges around $800 for most of their steel bracelets.

 

[pmeis]

$1200 is cheap for a bracelet.

I should be more accurate and say it isn't cheap for something that would be an occasional accessory and not an everyday thing for me.

 

[Dino944]

The bracelet for my Moser is supposed to be fantastic, maybe I'll add it someday, but at $1250 it ain't cheap. I wouldn't mind ordering it eventually, but at that price, it seems a bit silly given how much I like the watch on rubber.

Not cheap, but in the grand scheme of things, if one considers the cost of very nice straps, that's maybe 3 which will have a limited life especially if worn on hot summer days, and the bracelet will last a lifetime. (Edit* I see you are speaking about it as something you wouldn't use often). If it makes you feel any better, although it probably won't the bracelet for my 38mm Pasha 950 was $1,500 and that was nearly 20 years ago. Thank goodness Saks had really screwed something up, and to make it right they sent me a $500 gift card. They were an AD for Cartier and were able to order the bracelet and I used the gift card so Saks bought part of my bracelet.



I know Pashas are not everyone's taste, but this is one of the nicest, highest quality bracelets I've encountered over the years. Super comfortable, all solid machined links (back many nicer companies used bracelets with hollow links and stamped steel clasps), high quality clasp with an invisible closure so it all blends together seamlessly.

 

[Scuppers]

$1200 is cheap for a bracelet.

It is! Patek took $4950 AUD ($3,200 USD) for a replacement bracelet for one of my watches. That was 6-7 years ago.

 

[Scuppers]

Not cheap, but in the grand scheme of things, if one considers the cost of very nice straps, that's maybe 3 which will have a limited life especially if worn on hot summer days, and the bracelet will last a lifetime. (Edit* I see you are speaking about it as something you wouldn't use often). If it makes you feel any better, although it probably won't the bracelet for my 38mm Pasha 950 was $1,500 and that was nearly 20 years ago. Thank goodness Saks had really screwed something up, and to make it right they sent me a $500 gift card. They were an AD for Cartier and were able to order the bracelet and I used the gift card so Saks bought part of my bracelet.



I know Pashas are not everyone's taste, but this is one of the nicest, highest quality bracelets I've encountered over the years. Super comfortable, all solid machined links (back many nicer companies used bracelets with hollow links and stamped steel clasps), high quality clasp with an invisible closure so it all blends together seamlessly.

Love the Pasha.

 

[mebiuspower]

It is! Patek took $4950 AUD ($3,200 USD) for a replacement bracelet for one of my watches. That was 6-7 years ago.

Cost me $4k just for a deployant from ALS.

 

[Scuppers]

-

 

[Scuppers]

Cost me $4k just for a deployant from ALS.

Surely that wasn’t steel? Patek also took 5K for a WG deployant about 5 years ago.

 

[Texasmade]

Omega is like $3200 for gold deployants.

 

[Scuppers]

Did anyone read Ariel Adams recent article on after-sales servicing? I will withhold my opinion.

 

[Neville Southall]

One cardigan to rule them all.