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

[Drek Galloche]

Can you share which case restorers can bring a watch back to a NOS-like state?

I like a few vintage watches, but I also want the watch to be "mine" and I think that a service and a restoration to NOS-like status would be an interesting way to hit 'reset' on a watch. Also for what it is worth, I don't intend on ever reselling any of my watches, so this would just be for me and not any sort of NOS "forgery" for re-sale

LA WatchWorks

Los Angeles Watchworks was founded by Beau Goorey and Eric Ku, with the goal of bringing high level restoration and watchmaking services to collectors from around the world.

www.lawatchworks.com

 

[TheFoo]

Can you share which case restorers can bring a watch back to a NOS-like state?

I like a few vintage watches, but I also want the watch to be "mine" and I think that a service and a restoration to NOS-like status would be an interesting way to hit 'reset' on a watch. Also for what it is worth, I don't intend on ever reselling any of my watches, so this would just be for me and not any sort of NOS "forgery" for re-sale

If a Rolex, LAWW and Rolliworks in California are two of the best for a straight-up restoration. However, they pretty much only do Rolex and have a specific process for doing everything, with little to no hand work. That means you can get a Rolex from any vintage brought back to factory spec, but if you have any more specialized job (e.g. take out a ding on one lug but leave the rest of the watch untouched), they won’t be able to do it. Think of them as all or nothing and limited to largely machine-finished cases

For case work that requires detailed hand polishing, you’ll need one of the Italians or the firm I used in California (PM me). The best Italians include Time Lab (Milan), Il Menzerno (Rome), and Martini Gian Carlo (Parma). They do intensive, meticulous work on high-dollar Pateks. As you’ve seen from my experience with even a relatively pedestrian, modern Calatrava, Patek cases are a ***** to work on. Expect to pay in the four figures for any meaningful job.

 

[Neville Southall]

It's that time again, folks. Name your ideal three-watch collection, please (yes, once more, I'm considering consolidating).

 

[Woofa]

It's that time again, folks. Name your ideal three-watch collection, please (yes, once more, I'm considering consolidating).

George, you seem to love what you have. Short of maybe trading in towards higher end/ more expensive watches when you know that one of the issues you are going to run into on a three watch collection is getting rid of multiple watch which serve the same function, ie.chronograph.Would you be willing to trade in either your Speedy or your Daytona?

Out of curiosity, how many watches do you have? Maybe a 6 watch collection...maybe 8.

In my opinion, while times have changed, my three watch h collection would include an everyday watch, a weekend/vacation watch and a dressier watch for special occasions.
I am happy with my rail master for everyday (although I am working on a new strap waiting for my deployment clasp from Omega - over 2 months now) to send it to David lane to get a casual leather strap. At the same time I am in the market for a relatively inexpensive fun dive watch for weekends, etc. I am pretty close and hope to have a second watch by the fall to show you all. I might just stop there as my lifestyle really does not require a dressier watch. But there are many I like.

 

[Drek Galloche]

Consumption burn out. Just pile the watches in the garage next to exercise euqipment .

 

[mak1277]

Realistic trio:

1. Sub

2. ALS 1815 up/down in yellow gold

3. Third one is tough because there's nothing I like as much as the two above. I'd probably use this as a rotating spot for the flavor of the month if I was to actually do this.

 

[Neville Southall]

George, you seem to love what you have. Short of maybe trading in towards higher end/ more expensive watches when you know that one of the issues you are going to run into on a three watch collection is getting rid of multiple watch which serve the same function, ie.chronograph.Would you be willing to trade in either your Speedy or your Daytona?

Out of curiosity, how many watches do you have? Maybe a 6 watch collection...maybe 8.

In my opinion, while times have changed, my three watch h collection would include an everyday watch, a weekend/vacation watch and a dressier watch for special occasions.
I am happy with my rail master for everyday (although I am working on a new strap waiting for my deployment clasp from Omega - over 2 months now) to send it to David lane to get a casual leather strap. At the same time I am in the market for a relatively inexpensive fun dive watch for weekends, etc. I am pretty close and hope to have a second watch by the fall to show you all. I might just stop there as my lifestyle really does not require a dressier watch. But there are many I like.

I have 8, which is too much. And - yes - I love them all, but sometimes I reach for a watch in the morning, see 8 options, and think to myself: "Dude, what the ****. Too much."

 

[Neville Southall]

Consumption burn out. Just pile the watches in the garage next to exercise euqipment .

My "exercise equipment" is in my basement, where I use it every day to impress .... Worked so far.

 

[9thsymph]

View attachment 1644250
Cartier Prive on this slow Sunday.

Great looking watch, but is anyone else seeing the illusion of what looks like fractured (or otherwise fucked up) wrist shape, created by the trapezoid?

 

[9thsymph]

It's that time again, folks. Name your ideal three-watch collection, please (yes, once more, I'm considering consolidating).

Rolex Gmt, Speedy pro, Lange 1

 

[Neville Southall]

Rolex Gmt, Speedy pro, Lange 1

That's a good trio.

 

[Dino944]

I have 8, which is too much. And - yes - I love them all, but sometimes I reach for a watch in the morning, see 8 options, and think to myself: "Dude, what the ****. Too much."

I found once I had more than 4, they all got a lot less wrist time. Still I love what I have and I haven't sold one in years.

Great looking watch, but is anyone else seeing the illusion of what looks like fractured (or otherwise fucked up) wrist shape, created by the trapezoid?

I could live with the illusion of a fractured wrist, the Tank Asymetrique is beautiful!

 

[jischwar]

Are we just picking out of your collection? If so, I'd go Reverso, Rolex GMT and Daytona

 

[9thsymph]

That's a good trio.

(granted I would never stop at 3...I think 5 is as low is I would go, as I would want at least two watches on the dressier end of the spectrum: one in a yellow or rose gold and the other in a white metal...)

 

[Neville Southall]

Are we just picking out of your collection? If so, I'd go Reverso, Rolex GMT and Daytona

Nooooo... any collection. All options are on the table.