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

[bdavro23]

Thank you! I appreciate all the kind words. For the most part my collection has been amassed by finding the unloved models, mostly out of financial necessity!

On the Breguet, I think I prefer the pump pushers to Square variants, but I have Oval pushers on my Breitling that I think look really sharp so who knows!
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This is a personal favorite of mine and one that I lost out on in an ebay auction last year for a price I will regret for quite some time...

 

[MZhammer]

This is a personal favorite of mine and one that I lost out on in an ebay auction last year for a price I will regret for quite some time...

Yea they are rare birds, According to some 150-175 made, but the Breitling archivist I connected with told me only 75 in each dial variation, with the attached archive documents ti support it, so who knows (also an optimistic retail for the time, at the low end it would be around $16k in today's dollar)....

 

[Belligero]

^
Cool stuff — thanks for sharing! Gorgeous watch, too.

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

I'm more excited about the upcoming Hodinkee x Blancpain than any Hodinkee LE ever. If they come up with something comparable to the Barakuda at a more palatable price point, my wallet is ready . . .

 

[Keith T]

Yeah, agreed AC...should be interesting to see what drops.

The Barakuda was a near-miss for me. Good size @ 40mm, and I could probably live with the fauxtina, but I just didn't care for the red on the indices myself.

Oh, and I could also do without the day-counter.

Edit to add: just googled, and if it's something closer to the "Naguers de Combat" version, then I would find that enticing.

 

[yls2012]

Should I try to trade my Lange 1815 up down toward an AP 15500? Finding I don’t wear it as much as it deserves because it’s formal and delicate. AP solves the former but not the latter; also more noticeable around the office. Just kicking the idea around and testing the waters. Don’t want to get hosed on the Lange either.

 

[bespoken pa]

I guess that depends on what the other perimeters of the deal are. I love the Lange but like you I would struggle to find enough opportunities to wear it in my day to day life.

 

[bsarosi]

Yes. I haven't updated the value since I bought it in the UK almost 20 years ago. There was a waitlist in Germany, where I was living at the time, so I grabbed it in London while on a business trip.

I recently went to Lenkersdorfer in Tysons and they charged me $50/watch for an appraisal. It wasn't what I'd call a thorough appraisal as they didn't take the caseback off to check the movement. They simply did a glance over of the watch, took down the serial and model numbers, and then sent me a written appraisal letter a few days later stating the watch's replacement value. They provided 2 copies of the signed letter (one for me and one for the insurance company in case they won't accept a copy).

 

[Omega Male]

Should I try to trade my Lange 1815 up down toward an AP 15500? Finding I don’t wear it as much as it deserves because it’s formal and delicate. AP solves the former but not the latter; also more noticeable around the office. Just kicking the idea around and testing the waters. Don’t want to get hosed on the Lange either.

Big Lange fan and have a gold 1815 chrono that I wear infrequently, but whenever I do it gives me much joy. As a daily driver though, the 15500 is a way better choice just because a classic steel sports watch on a bracelet is so much more versatile. I went with a Nautilus a couple of years ago before the market got so nuts and have worn it literally every day since.

 

[smittycl]

I recently went to Lenkersdorfer in Tysons and they charged me $50/watch for an appraisal. It wasn't what I'd call a thorough appraisal as they didn't take the caseback off to check the movement. They simply did a glance over of the watch, took down the serial and model numbers, and then sent me a written appraisal letter a few days later stating the watch's replacement value. They provided 2 copies of the signed letter (one for me and one for the insurance company in case they won't accept a copy).

Excellent! Did the appraisal match what you expected?

 

[Dino944]

I recently went to Lenkersdorfer in Tysons and they charged me $50/watch for an appraisal. It wasn't what I'd call a thorough appraisal as they didn't take the caseback off to check the movement. They simply did a glance over of the watch, took down the serial and model numbers, and then sent me a written appraisal letter a few days later stating the watch's replacement value. They provided 2 copies of the signed letter (one for me and one for the insurance company in case they won't accept a copy).

$50, is very inexpensive. Most don't take the case back off, unless maybe the suspect it is a fake? The place I brought mine to in Boston, took a color photo that is part of the appraisal and wrote a very thorough description, including the watch's overall condition, dial color, subdial color/Patrizzi dial, reference number, serial #, case diameter, the engraving on the bezel, bracelet number, etc. I also brought the box, papers, hang tags, etc so they could see it is a complete set. In the end the key part is being happy with the appraised amount and that the insurance company accepted the appraisal.

Should I try to trade my Lange 1815 up down toward an AP 15500? Finding I don’t wear it as much as it deserves because it’s formal and delicate. AP solves the former but not the latter; also more noticeable around the office. Just kicking the idea around and testing the waters. Don’t want to get hosed on the Lange either.

If you aren't really wearing the watch much, it may make sense to trade it toward something you will be able to wear and enjoy on a more regular basis. I've sold or traded a few pieces I wasn't wearing often. I always feel a little bad seeing a piece leave my collection, but picking up something that gets more wrist time gets me over that feeling quickly.

 

[cyc wid it]

Tempted, even if it isn't a full set...

 

[chocomallo]

Saw this today—really sharp. Wasn’t familiar with this reference before—2942. From the 30s apparently. Can’t comment on originality, though. Note the lovely Calatrava case.

 

[Dino944]

Tempted, even if it isn't a full set...

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That one is a real beauty. I didn't know it existed until recently when I saw it online. If you are not so OCD that a full set is a requirement for you, then don't let that fact that it isn't stop you. Not sure how many like this one are out there, so it could be a long time before you locate another and that one may not be a full set either. I love the Tank LC. It's my favorite time only dress watch. Wishing you luck with whatever you decide.

 

[dieworkwear]

Anyone have more info on this black gilt dial asymmetric tank? I read it's from the 50s, but does anyone have more info on it or know about how much it goes for?