The Watch Appreciation Thread (Reviews and Photos of Men's Timepieces by Rolex, Patek Philippe, Brei

[Steel28]



I'm sure you collectors know all about Only Watch but just WOW!

Only Watch

If only I can get this beauty.

 

[tigerpac]

Back from a weekend in Vegas - what a great concentration of watch shops. Will have to plan ahead next time to be a bit more organized but good watch ogling nevertheless.

And for those that like the boutique buying approach - JLC salesperson informed me they recently lowered the US prices on several models (don't remember hearing much about it but maybe I just missed it) AND that the boutiques had some new 'flexibility' with pricing outside of the new MSRPs.

 

[jeff13007]



Heavy rain forecast in NYC today. Didn't want to get the DBlue wet, so wore this one.

3970! holy moley!. Hey frills whats your view on the 5270? no tach vs chin vs overlap? Someday hopefully ill be able to grab a perpetual chrono

 

[no frills]

3970! holy moley!. Hey frills whats your view on the 5270? no tach vs chin vs overlap? Someday hopefully ill be able to grab a perpetual chrono

The 5270 is a handsome piece in the metal. I have my aesthetic qualms with its design, like how the subdials are below the equator (now you can't unsee it, like when you find out Bradley Cooper's right eye is about a full inch higher than his left), but once you see it on your wrist it is quite lovely. I've seen it evolve over the years, with friends catching the first generation 5270G and all of us heading to Patek USA's HQ and seeing watchmakers put the new CH29-535 movement head to head against the old Lemania-based CH27-70 movement powering the 3970 and 5970.

Net, net - the CH29-535 is really technically superior to the CH27-70. Will any regular user ever actually see this technical superiority manifest? Probably not, but that's not the point I suppose when it comes to pushing the boundaries of technical achievement in timepieces. Most users cannot tell the difference between the images produced by a basic Canon SL1 (retail sub-$500) versus a full frame Canon 5DS R (retail USD3,000+), but you'll have enthusiasts flocking to the more expensive gear anyway.

Patek won't admit to this, but they pretty much shifted gears with the Leno chin version and discontinued it this year. Some speculate that said Leno references are now going to be more expensive in the future given limited supply - but who knows, really. Personally, I don't like the Leno tach - although to be fair, the split seconds chrono 5204Ps actually have the same chin, but not in such a pronounced way!

The latest generation of the 5270 - with tach, no chin, in RG, or WG with blue dial - seem to be the versions where Patek "finally" got it right. Current price trends suggest that they are on to something:

1. The first generation 5270s and the Leno tach versions are trading between USD115-USD120K

2. The latest generation 5270s trade about $10K higher than that - a friend of mine bagged a blue dial two days ago at USD135K.

But, Patek is still pricing these things... how shall I say this?... "aspirationally." Before the US price cut (first time in recent history!), the 5270G's MSRP was USD176,300. Now, it's USD164,000 (7% price cut)... But the actual prices for watches being bought, whether through ADs or the secondary market, are much lower (see above).

These are, I suppose, grail pieces, and should be priced at a premium given the complication and aesthetics they offer. Time will tell whether these prices will continue to go up, or not... Before the 2008 crisis the 3970s in platinum were clearing for close to USD200K. Those prices have yet to recover.

 

[jeff13007]

Thanks for the info! a few months back was looking at a 5270G blue dial with the leno chin going for the equivalent of 109k USD full set etc. Didn't really have the balls to pull the trigger though =(

 

[Keith T]



If only I can get this beauty.

Agree that Tudor is teh hotness.

Also, a part of me finds the Armin Strom to be rather appealing.

 

[Kaplan]



Which Radiomirs are 40mm? Any available with a date complication?

40mm with date:

PAM 62 in white gold and PAM 103 in rose gold.

 

[gdl203]

PAM 62 is the best Radiomir ever made IMO (most Paneristi would disagree and vote for PAM 21). I wish I hadn't been so indecisive when I had the opportunity to buy one 10 years ago. Instead, I got a sub - which I sold off quickly. Never would have let go of the 62.

 

[Kaplan]

You should ask @zippyh if he's gotten tired of his ;-)

 

[tigerpac]

The date windows on those PAMs are tragic.

 

[mimo]

Of all the day counters in the world, there is none I like better on a casual watch than a perverted 1630. Those 62s are delicious.

It's the 2100s and (ugh!) 1800s, on dress watches in particular, that I just can't stomach.

 

[Tried and True]



The date windows on those PAMs are tragic.

I can't make it past the wire lugs.

 

[mimo]

Then don't...

 

[easy_golfing]

Any thoughts on Rolex explorer 1 vs Sinn 556?

 

[tigerpac]



Any thoughts on Rolex explorer 1 vs Sinn 556?

Explorer 1 looks much cleaner and a more polished overall candidate. Also, don't like the bracelet integration on the 556.

Full disclosure - I own an Explorer 1