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

[Dino944]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but what are your general views towards the Calibre de Cartier, specifically this model?

http://www.cartier.sg/en-sg/collect...artier/wsca0003-calibre-de-cartier-watch.html

I really like the design of this, and a general google search seems to throw up fairly favorable views. However, at this price point a little more could probably get me some entry level watches from the top brands, and this is my first purchase of a (relatively) high end watch.

Your opinions are appreciated, thanks!

I'm a big fan of Cartier products. However, this piece just doesn't speak to me. The movement is nice and its made in house, but I find the design too bulky, and its missing the sort of combination of sporty and elegant that I have come to expect from Cartier based on watches such as the Pasha or the Santos. I get that they are aiming for a younger market that may have a taste for larger watches, and maybe hoping to attract some new customers who already own a Rolex, Omega, IWC etc.

If you are interested in Cartier products and want something different than offerings from Rolex, Omega, IWC, I would suggest that you look into the new Santos de Cartier. They have revived this iconic model, made them slightly larger than its predecessor (there are 2 sizes a large size with date and a medium without date) given them in house movements, and given them a quick release bracelet system so you can swap between bracelet and strap (it comes with the bracelet and 1 strap). http://www.cartier.com/en-us/collec...ations/cartier-at-sihh/santos-de-cartier.html I believe the Santos de Cartier is supposed to start arriving at dealers around April or May and is IIRC, will only be about $400 more than the 38 mm Calibre you mentioned.

If you don't already own a Rolex, I would suggest saving up a bit more and going with a current no date- Rolex Submariner. Its another classic design that never goes out of style. There is so much that is already written about Subs that I won't go further into detail, but it would be another excellent choice for a first good watch.

Anyway, wishing you luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Belligero]

Art and Dino pretty much covered it, so I don't have anything to add other than mentioning that the Calibre model seems like one that probably won't get better with age.

Some designs become classics with time, while others just end up looking dated.

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

Have you looked at the Cartier Drive? I think it is more likely to become a "modern classic," although at 41mm with a cushion case it's going to wear much larger.

 

[Texasmade]

For Cartier, the watches I would get are the Drive and Tank MC. I'm not a big fan of the rest of the Cartier line.

 

[bdavro23]

Speaking of Cartier, some horrible bastard out bid me yesterday in the final minutes of a Sotheby's auction on a watch I was trying to buy for my wife. I know thats how auctions work, but it was intensely irritating...

 

[Kierrane]

Thanks for your views everyone.

Apart from the Calibre de Cartier, the other 2 lines that I really like at the moment are the

Frederique Constant Manufacture Worldtimer and Hybrid series, and most of Zenith's watches (notably the El Primero line)

https://frederiqueconstant.com/collections/manufacture/worldtimer/

https://frederiqueconstant.com/collections/manufacture/hybrid/

https://www.jomashop.com/zenith-el-primero-watches.html

If it matters, i'm fairly young (29 this year) and working in the legal industry.

It would be nice to have something dressy and not overtly ostentatious to wear on networking nights etc, which is what i'm going for in my buy.

Rolex and Omega are out unfortunately, they have pretty bad rep as being something that only crass people wear from where i'm at.

Once again, thanks for all your views and opinions!

 

[Viral]

Thanks for your views everyone.

Apart from the Calibre de Cartier, the other 2 lines that I really like at the moment are the

Frederique Constant Manufacture Worldtimer and Hybrid series, and most of Zenith's watches (notably the El Primero line)

https://frederiqueconstant.com/collections/manufacture/worldtimer/

https://frederiqueconstant.com/collections/manufacture/hybrid/

https://www.jomashop.com/zenith-el-primero-watches.html

If it matters, i'm fairly young (29 this year) and working in the legal industry.

It would be nice to have something dressy and not overtly ostentatious to wear on networking nights etc, which is what i'm going for in my buy.

Rolex and Omega are out unfortunately, they have pretty bad rep as being something that only crass people wear from where i'm at.

Once again, thanks for all your views and opinions!

Where are you from?

 

[Kierrane]

Where are you from?

southeast asia, run between HK and SG

 

[Texasmade]

Rolex and Omega are out unfortunately, they have pretty bad rep as being something that only crass people wear from where i'm at.

Once again, thanks for all your views and opinions!

I sort of get the Rolex image people have because everyone defaults to a Rolex for a nice watch. Omega I don't quite see the bad rep since everyone that gets an Omega gets a Speedmaster for the space connection or gets a Seamaster for the James Bond. Less people think "I want a nice watch. I'm going to get an Omega" compared to Rolex.

 

[Kierrane]

I sort of get the Rolex image people have because everyone defaults to a Rolex for a nice watch. Omega I don't quite see the bad rep since everyone that gets an Omega gets a Speedmaster for the space connection or gets a Seamaster for the James Bond. Less people think "I want a nice watch. I'm going to get an Omega" compared to Rolex.

Yea. Rolex is the default choice here for people with more money than sense - alot of the newly rich love to buy the most extravagant, massive, gold rolexes and it kinda hurts the image. Omega is probably (at least IMO) the next most famous brand and it's starting to head down the same direction

 

[Dino944]

Thanks for your views everyone.

Apart from the Calibre de Cartier, the other 2 lines that I really like at the moment are the

Frederique Constant Manufacture Worldtimer and Hybrid series, and most of Zenith's watches (notably the El Primero line)

https://frederiqueconstant.com/collections/manufacture/worldtimer/

https://frederiqueconstant.com/collections/manufacture/hybrid/

https://www.jomashop.com/zenith-el-primero-watches.html

If it matters, i'm fairly young (29 this year) and working in the legal industry.

It would be nice to have something dressy and not overtly ostentatious to wear on networking nights etc, which is what i'm going for in my buy.

Rolex and Omega are out unfortunately, they have pretty bad rep as being something that only crass people wear from where i'm at.

Once again, thanks for all your views and opinions!

Frederique Constant - I see it as a relatively insignificant brand. I'd rather save up more money and buy something better.

Zenith, the El Primero is a nice chronograph movement. The only one I like is their sort of historic looking chronograph where the subdials overlap, like this https://www.jomashop.com/zenith-watch-03-2040-400-69-c494.html Many of their other pieces, especially the ones with an open section of dial looking gimmicky, and a lot of their watches looks relatively generic.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[MrUnderwood]

@Kierrane How about an IWC Portuguese? Really like that lineup. It is not overly flashy while stilling being very good looking watches.

 

[Texasmade]

@Kierrane How about an IWC Portuguese? Really like that lineup. It is not overly flashy while stilling being very good looking watches.

IWC or Jaegar LeCoultre are both brands that are under the radar, don't have the crass image, and still relatively affordable.

 

[Dino944]

Yea. Rolex is the default choice here for people with more money than sense - alot of the newly rich love to buy the most extravagant, massive, gold rolexes and it kinda hurts the image. Omega is probably (at least IMO) the next most famous brand and it's starting to head down the same direction

I agree with the idea of JLC. They are very high quality and very understated. I'd pass on IWC, it basically became a "Me too watch" years ago. At one point it seemed every wealthy college student in the North East was wearing a Big Pilot or Portugieser.

 

[Kierrane]

@Kierrane How about an IWC Portuguese? Really like that lineup. It is not overly flashy while stilling being very good looking watches.

Forgot to mention - I have a very small wrist so prefer designs which are not too big - IWC is generally massive from what i've seen. I would prefer <38mm.

My ideal budget is $3k or so, can go up to $5. Anything up to 8 might still be possible, but I would really have to love it.

I would also prefer something with a bit more complications on the watch face (as you may be able to tell by those I posted). The design I like most so far happens to be the FC Hybrid:

But still, i'm new to this so there will probably be watches/brands that i've missed...so all your comments/suggestions are really helpful