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

[Thin White Duke]

Pretty much agree with all that @dopey has said.
I’m a frequent diver, still use a dive watch as my computer is on the hose not on the wrist and I like the ease of just looking at my wrist as the dive progresses just to get a quick reference on how long I’ve been down.
Also been as low as about 140 feet and my watch is clearly visible at that depth.
My old Navy Seal Luminox was a rare dive watch with numbers on the dial. I lost that in the drink couple of years ago and replaced it with a Seiko prospex which does not have numbers but a useful minute track 1-15 then 5 minute increments on the bezel.

 

[chocomallo]

Boom. Nine-month wait—not so bad.

View attachment 1203680

Still not sure whether I prefer the black or white dial—I guess the one I get to take home wins by default.

Nice choice, Foo, although I am surprised to read you remain undecided. Very out of character for you. I never took you to be the type to buy stuff that you are not completely committed to. Is this a humble brag (only nine months)?

Here is my poor man's imitation. Trash away, Foo. It is obviously a Daytona imitation.

 

[Riva]

Nice choice, Foo, although I am surprised to read you remain undecided. Very out of character for you. I never took you to be the type to buy stuff that you are not completely committed to. Is this a humble brag (only nine months)?

Here is my poor man's imitation. Trash away, Foo. It is obviously a Daytona imitation.

Foo buys stuff to conform with the general public. So as long as it's a common brand or model he can never go wrong. Pure textbook Asian uncle shopping habit. The difference being that he'll go out to the field (where there are supporters to be found) to explain why it's the only logical choice.

 

[Scuppers]

Foo buys stuff to conform with the general public. So as long as it's a common brand or model he can never go wrong. Pure textbook Asian uncle shopping habit. The difference being that he'll go out to the field (where there are supporters to be found) to explain why it's the only logical choice.

Said anyone who buys a Seiko...

Clearly, a bulletproof bubble.

 

[chocomallo]

Said anyone who buys a Seiko...

Clearly, a bulletproof bubble.

Care to elaborate? This response is pretty ambiguous. I don’t see how Riva is wrong minus the Asian uncle part which I am not in a position to comment on. What does Seiko have to do with his response? Or was that a personal jab because he advocates for Grand Seiko and Credor. What is the bubble comment about?

 

[Scuppers]

Care to elaborate? This response is pretty ambiguous. I don’t see how Riva is wrong minus the Asian uncle part which I am not in a position to comment on. What does Seiko have to do with his response? Or was that a personal jab because he advocates for Grand Seiko and Credor. What is the bubble comment about?

Conformity is subject to circumstance, we all conform - to say your conformity is of greater worth to A or B is preposterous.

As to seeking an audience to define relevance: eh, Riva is here...

 

[chocomallo]

Conformity is subject to circumstance, we all conform - to say your conformity is of greater worth to A or B is preposterous.

As to seeking an audience to define relevance: eh, Riva is here...

Your response is tautological. We conform to the circumstances or we don’t conform to the circumstances. Riva is not wrong that Foo’s watches and his recommendations conform to what is generally within the current group of watches that are regularly labeled as “hyped” or “overhyped” watches.

Show me where Foo goes against market trends and brand marketing to recommend something that isn’t trending. He is as much a victim of it as everyone else without recognizing it. He used to be on the Panerai and IWC train. Those were two hyped brands a few years ago. Now he ***** on those brands.

He, like many participants here, rationalizes purchasing jewelry, which is what watches are in 99% of all situation, by posting wrist shots of his watches to garner internet karma (as a way of virtually patting himself on the back) or by steering people toward what he already owns by espousing things like brand history or functionality (here is looking at you Speedmaster and Submariner).

Buy what you like. Never look at the internet for commentary on a watch you are considering.

 

[Scuppers]

Lol. You are so intent on launching a defence you have missed the message. As for tautological...give me strength.

You seem to be confusing this hobby to a macro environment, it ain’t, these are - largely - rarefied pieces.

 

[smittycl]

When starting a dive, the bezel is rotated until the luminous marker ("pearl") is aligned with the minute hand. As the dive progresses, the elapsed time is read on the bezel (in minutes), so I'd argue that the markings are necessary on the bezel, or how else do you measure your bottom time? I get that people are not diving with these watches (myself included), but the "timer" feature could also be used to measure your surface interval between dives, but once again, you'd need to know against what scale you are measuring, hence numerals are required on the bezel.

I've had a Sub for almost 20 years and always dive with it. I'll use the bezel as a back-up although I've never had a dive computer fail. Also wear it at the beach, snorkeling, and in the pool. Kind of strange for some folks to spend money on a Submariner but not use it for what it was designed for.

The only time I've left the Sub at home is when traveling to suspect areas where it just makes one a target. Unimatic makes functional, affordable dive watches that ideally will not draw attention.

The appeal of Panerai kind of mystifies me. Just big, gaudy watches with expensive marketing campaigns. Do they make their own movements now? I remember them getting caught years ago putting off-the-shelf movements into their watches.

The Breitling dive watches look interesting but I always associate them with aviation. Better to get the Sub or a Blancpain as at least they descend from proven dive instruments.

 

[chocomallo]

Lol. You are so intent on launching a defence you have missed the message. As for tautological...give me strength.

You seem to be confusing this hobby to a macro environment, it ain’t, these are - largely - rarefied pieces.

Not sure how to respond to this random collection of words. What am I defending that you need strength for? What pieces are rare? What macro environment are you referring to?

 

[smittycl]

Watch appraisal question: what's the best way to get a Rolex Submariner appraised? I asked at a few stores that carry Rolex here in DC but they don't do appraisals. Online is a bit confusing. I think there is an effort out there to make it as hard as possible likely to the benefit of retailers.

I bought my Sub in 2000 and it's likely worth 2-3x what I paid for it. Need appraisal to increase my insurance so I can replace it if stolen.

Anyway, assistance appreciated! There must some reliable appraisers in NYC?

 

[Thrift Vader]

When starting a dive, the bezel is rotated until the luminous marker ("pearl") is aligned with the minute hand. As the dive progresses, the elapsed time is read on the bezel (in minutes), so I'd argue that the markings are necessary on the bezel, or how else do you measure your bottom time? I get that people are not diving with these watches (myself included), but the "timer" feature could also be used to measure your surface interval between dives, but once again, you'd need to know against what scale you are measuring, hence numerals are required on the bezel.

So you're telling me, i could use my dive watches to accurately measure things like driving to work?

not a fan of that watch tho. it seems confused. or rather, it makes me confused.

 

[RJman]

Watch appraisal question: what's the best way to get a Rolex Submariner appraised? I asked at a few stores that carry Rolex here in DC but they don't do appraisals. Online is a bit confusing. I think there is an effort out there to make it as hard as possible likely to the benefit of retailers.

I bought my Sub in 2000 and it's likely worth 2-3x what I paid for it. Need appraisal to increase my insurance so I can replace it if stolen.

Anyway, assistance appreciated! There must some reliable appraisers in NYC?

Boone & Sons on Conn Ave does jewelry appraisals; maybe they can do a Rolex appraisal - although I don't know how specialized their knowledge would be.

 

[smittycl]

I've bought jewelry from them before but never thought to ask about Rolex as they don't carry high-end watches. I'll ask next time I go by!

 

[Dino944]

I've bought jewelry from them before but never thought to ask about Rolex as they don't carry high-end watches. I'll ask next time I go by!

I don't know about the place @RJman mentioned, however if you are in NYC, try Aaron Faber. They deal with a lot of vintage and current pre-owned Rolex watches. I haven't purchased anything there, but when I visited they were friendly and had a very nice shop. Their website mentions appraisals as one of the services they offer. No idea what they charge. I've seen places charge anywhere from $75-150 for an appraisal in Boston and some places reduce the price if you have 2 or more watches appraised. Not sure what the going rate is in NYC.