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

[firenze_rob]

Tag to relaunch the Autavia. They should just take my money now.

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/f...k-a-vintage-heuer-autavia-to-relaunch-in-2017

 

[bigbadbuff]

^ that's a pretty cool idea, and will definitely drum up interest.

 

[TheTukker]

Say more....

 

[zippyh]

Yachtmaster

 

[scottcw]

Still looking for a vintage chrono, but a general question about "tool" watches in the meantime.

The big two categories that I see are diver or chronographs. I might possibly need to time something (a 3 minute egg say), but I don't anticipate ever needing to descend 660 ft underwater. What is the appeal of the diver watch other than the association with Bond?

 

[eton97]

How about 2000ft

Rolex 1665 Double Red Sea Dweller.
1974, totally immaculate Mark 4 dial, superdome plexi. Perfection

 

[LIMatt]



Still looking for a vintage chrono, but a general question about "tool" watches in the meantime.

The big two categories that I see are diver or chronographs. I might possibly need to time something (a 3 minute egg say), but I don't anticipate ever needing to descend 660 ft underwater. What is the appeal of the diver watch other than the association with Bond?

It's not so much the specific function, as:

- people like the look

- 200m water resistance requires a certain level of build quality

(Me, I wear divers on leather straps and swim with a G-Shock. )

 

[jhcam8]



Yachtmaster

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Cool, Zippy.

How about 2000ft

Rolex 1665 Double Red Sea Dweller.
1974, totally immaculate Mark 4 dial, superdome plexi. Perfection

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Very nice, eton.

 

[jhcam8]

Daytona

 

[rnguy001]

^ some freakin' fine Rolexes up in this piece..

 

[Journeyman]

Tag to relaunch the Autavia. They should just take my money now.

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/f...k-a-vintage-heuer-autavia-to-relaunch-in-2017

TAG Heuer did make a re-edition of the Autavia about ten years back, but it was the less attractive, 1970s-style case, rather than the lovely, more circular, 1960s style case.

 

[Keith T]

Gah! That Double Red is giving me a watch boner LOL.


And kudos to Tag for this re-launch idea. Sure, it's a bit gimmicky, but they really can't lose by giving hardcore fans a chance to have their say.

 

[Dino944]

Still looking for a vintage chrono, but a general question about "tool" watches in the meantime.

The big two categories that I see are diver or chronographs. I might possibly need to time something (a 3 minute egg say), but I don't anticipate ever needing to descend 660 ft underwater. What is the appeal of the diver watch other than the association with Bond?

Most guys I know with chronographs use the timing function when they first get them, but the longer they own them the less they use the chrono function. At best these days I might use a chronograph to keep track of my time on a parking meter (although the bezel can be turned on a diving watch or GMT watch to track time on a meter). So most people don't need chronographs either.

The appeal of a tool watch, in particular a diving watch, is the rugged construction, its ability to withstand severe shocks, extreme cold, and be subjected to harsh environments without faltering. I don't think anyone buying a diving watch today is buying it today because they need one to go diving. Divers rely on dive computers, so a diving watch is sort of a back up at best. As for the extreme depths some watches can withstand...its sort of a bragging right/indication of how rugged the watch is, much like when people talk about the top speed of a car, knowing they could never safely drive their vehicle at its top speed (unless maybe its a Smart car

). I think another category of tool watches you left out are GMT watches. Most people that own one are not intercontinental pilots nor are they cave explorers who may lose track of AM and PM. but they can be very handy for people who travel a great deal. One can also use the bezel on a diving watch or GMT watch to measure how much time is left on a parking meter or other things measured in minutes). Cheers!

 

[mimo]

Dive watches are tough, and look cool. Chronographs look cool, and sometimes have interesting movements.

As watches are not at all a practical necessity for most people, I think that it is enough to just like them for the reasons above. Or any other, for that matter.

 

[Belligero]

As a bit of a coffee geek, I get plenty of use out of my chronographs: e.g. checking the extraction time of an espresso shot to dial in the grind setting.

Of course it's not necessary to have a chrono, but nothing beats having the stopwatch right on the wrist while pulling shots, and I find that it makes the process a bit smoother and more satisfying. They're handy for timing infusions with other methods such as Aeropress, too.

There's just something about the tactile and auditory feedback you get with a nice mechanical "click" that makes it so much nicer than using some beeping digital thing.