Watch Thread

Discussion in 'Geek Cave: Computers, Tablets, HT, Phones, Games' started by Shem, Sep 28, 2015.

  1. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    The watch of a man who clearly has no clue about fashion, but appreciates function and is poor.
     

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  2. Cakecake

    Cakecake Guest

    whats ur endgame watch?
     
  3. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    This one is mine

    [​IMG]

    $20k and made with future serviceability in mind
     
  4. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    Sorry to intrude.
     
  5. Stapsy

    Stapsy Friend

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    Any other criteria? Something people often miss is water resistance. Do you want to swim, shower, or noodle for catfish while wearing a watch? That can really change the discussion.

    For me, acceptable thickness varies depending on the watch. I find thin dress watches look strange in larger diameters. Something about it just doesn't sit right on the wrist. The case design can also impact how it wears. A thick watch with beveled edges can look and feel thinner than the same watch with flat sides (I am looking at you Tudor Black Bay).
     
  6. Kunlun

    Kunlun cat-alyzes cat-aclysmic cat-erwauling - Friend

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    I guess I sorta have my endgame a few times over (like a guy who has a few ciems). There are watches that I'd love, but are out of my league, such as a Patek minute repeater with cathedral gongs:
    [​IMG]
    Look how classic it is.

    Listen to it here:https://monochrome-watches.com/pate...-repeater-cathedral-gongs-review-sound-price/

    Here's a similar idea, with more modern, yet classic look, the F.P.Journe Sonnerie Souveraine:
    https://quillandpad.com/2015/12/13/the-sonnerie-souveraine-by-f-p-journe-a-legend-in-its-own-time/
    If you have 3/4 of a million lying around, it can be yours. The movement is mostly made of solid 18k rose gold (yes, 18k can be hard enough to do that), and it's very wearable.
    How's that for a "grail" watch?



    Well, my watchmaker wants me to commission him and a few Swiss friends to make a bespoke watch. It would be very finely hand-finished:

    https://monochrome-watches.com/a-te...-to-know-about-finishing-in-haute-horlogerie/

    http://www.crownwatchblog.com/how-it-works/finishing-school-six-key-movement-finishes

    And the dial would be guillochéd with a pattern of my choosing:
    https://monochrome-watches.com/the-art-of-hand-guillochage-at-breguet-preserving-traditional-crafts/

    And so on. Google Kari Voutilainen for examples of all this as he is making bespoke watches with all of the above in his own unique style. Looking at the links I posted, you now can appreciate a little of what makes a Voutilainen such a high-end watch, whether or not his style appeals to you.

    So, maybe that someday but first this other thing happened that is likely my endgame: I was googling some watch stuff and happened upon a small English company that makes the Queen's clocks (literally, her clock). I read they were working on a special wristwatch made by hand no more than 10 a year, so I wrote them.

    It turned out that I wrote them, by chance, on the day they were going to announce to the press that their watch was finally ready. It looked like I was either psychic or had inside info and superfast reflexes. They found it amusing as hell.

    Two months later I followed up after the initial conversation and they had already raised their prices a lot (the wait was up to three years already, now it's more). Anyhoo, they remembered the crazy guy who was the first to inquire and offered me the original price. The price will go up further, no doubt, and this will be a classic, maybe.

    http://watchesbysjx.com/2018/09/han...am-double-impulse-chronometer-wristwatch.html

    https://www.revolution.watch/frodsham-makes-a-wristwatch/

    A no compromise gentleman's watch, made to last, in this case in the old British style, very understated. Not what I had chosen alone, but with a bit of fate added in. That makes for a good endgame.


    Tell us more about it, please.
     
    Last edited: Nov 30, 2018
  7. Cakecake

    Cakecake Guest

    Hmm just a dress watch enough to stand in rain. I think causal dressy is good too, open to medium thickness too, I like the look of jlc ultrathin and the geophysics look good too. I like nerdy design or elegant ones.

    i dont like how rolex looks and I dont need to dive with it..the bazel? rim? look so thick
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 1, 2018
  8. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    The watchmaker is Jean-Baptiste Viot*, who is a French horologist that has worked for Breguet and Vacheron Constantin before going independent. I first heard about him after reading stories of UX, a radical guerrilla historical preservation group. Viot was responsible for secretly restoring the clock at the Pantheon, which looked like someone intentionally sabotaged.


    All parts of his watch are handmade, including the screws. His focus is on long term durability. Important parts are easy to access and don't require specialized tools to service. Most functional parts have a raw finish and the skeletal design is part of that philosophy as well. I like this because a truly "timeless" watch isn't just about style, but whether it continues to work. Here are some more links about the man and the watch.


    https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/26/fashion/26iht-acaw-viot26.html




    http://www.jbviot.fr/en/

    (In french) http://www.jbviot.fr/produit/montre-exemple-2/


    *Jean-Baptiste Biot is a famous physicist
     
  9. Stapsy

    Stapsy Friend

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    I consider medium sized to be something that can easily slip under a shirt cuff...usually something around 12mm thick.

    If I had to pick, I think it would be the JLC Geophysic True Second. There is something about the unique hands, lume pips, and deadbeat seconds complication that I think is super cool. I find it has a more robust look than the other JLC watches like the ultrathin or the master control. You could also look at a Reverso if you wanted a really classic dress watch that is a bit unique. I doubt you can go wrong with JLC. They have a rich history of fine watchmaking and continue to make very well respected movements. The biggest down side is they don't hold their value very well.

    Some other more casual ideas are an IWC Mark series or Portugeiser, although I don't believe either of those will come with an in-house movement for less than $10k if that matters to you. I would also look at a Rolex Datejust or Oyster perpetual in a sub 40mm size if you want something without the big dive bezels. A guilty pleasure of mine are Panerai's. Any of the 42mm models with the new in house movements are a lot less chunky than the older 44mm+ models. It is basically a dive watch without a dive bezel. Another option that is sometimes overlooked are Grand Seiko. They really are beautiful watches and the spring drive movement is something to behold. My only gripe is that they can be a little thick.

    In truth there really is no substitute for going to see them in person. I think you will be surprised how your opinions can change once you have a look at the finer details.
     
  10. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Nope. Can't hear a thing, apart from the background noise. Another thing that HF hearing loss removes from any possible wish list :(. So... no need for me to ask the price!

    Lovely piece of engineering, though. Beautiful.

    (I can get an idea of what I'm supposed to be hearing with heavy EQ. Rather sad that I'll never get it for real)
     
  11. Cakecake

    Cakecake Guest

    the geophysics true second looks like something i want, what brand usually hold their value well?
     
  12. Kunlun

    Kunlun cat-alyzes cat-aclysmic cat-erwauling - Friend

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    Basically, that's a bad line of thought to follow. Buy something you love and wear it and enjoy it, period. The JLC Geophysics is a watch that people who know watches have mentioned as a very cool watch. It's a great choice from a brand with a ton of history, style, and know-how.
    https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/the-jaeger-lecoultre-geophysic-true-second-review

    To answer your question, steel sports Rolex models as well as certain sports and higher complication Patek Phillippe are super hyped right now. We'll see how long that lasts, but it's crazy. That doesn't mean you should want one of those, though. How a watch holds value is a useless question unless you are buying with the idea of selling it, which is a dumb reason to buy a watch. Basically, it's something to ignore as the best idea is to really know what you like and enjoy that for a long time.
     
  13. Cakecake

    Cakecake Guest

    you are right, i like JLC models the best, thx man
     
  14. Stapsy

    Stapsy Friend

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    @Kunlun's approach is the best way to think about it. I only mention value because it is better to know up front than being surprised after buying. It also hints at the savings you can get when buying used...
     
  15. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Here's a vid doing a teardown of Swiss and Japanese watches

     
  16. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    So I'm walking around my local luxury mall and I spot something you don't typically see next to Breitling and Patek Philipe

    BADB51A3-40E5-4A92-A12C-DC8787E7F479.jpeg

    A Casio G-Shock, otherwise known as Mr G. Not everyday I see a luxury Casio.
     
  17. Kunlun

    Kunlun cat-alyzes cat-aclysmic cat-erwauling - Friend

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    Season's Greetings to the watch thread!
    [​IMG]
    I sent this to the NYC Breguet Boutique, since they let me try on stuff all the time.
     
  18. Mr Rick

    Mr Rick Acquaintance

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    [​IMG]
     
  19. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
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    s-l640.jpg

    Have this on the way. Most of you will think it's hideous and gaudy but I am fine with that. I didn't like the first release without the inverted face but I really like this one.
     
  20. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    I could see Ali G rockin' this as well

    ali g.jpeg
     

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