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

[Neville Southall]

Hahahahahaha

 

[Newcomer]

That's a beauty newcomer, congrats.

Thanks, @Woofa! It's been a while coming.

Love blue dials on watches! Congrats and enjoy it!

Thanks, @Dino944 - really been enjoying it so far!

Amazing watch Newc. What made you decide on this model? Was it difficult to find? Does it go for retail or do you have to pay a premium?

Excuse my ignorance towards the Patek world.

Love this model. Must be seen and handled in person to fully appreciate. The depth/gradience of the blue dial and dynamism of the case shape don’t come through in photos.

So, this one was a long time coming.

For a long while, I really had a one-track mind for the Nautilus - and specifically, the 5712. Indeed, I've been on a wait list for years.

However, over the past year or so, I've really kind of soured on the Nautilus. Don't get me wrong, I still love it. However, I have waffled as to just how much I want to own it. Maybe it is the ubiquity. Maybe it is the hype. I am really not sure. But I have not really looked at the Nautilus and thought, "gosh, I want that," for quite some time. And with my Bulgari OF, my desire has really abated.

I only mention this backstory because this is where my search properly began. And I feel like I was really starting back at square 1, since I have been thinking about a Nautilus (or an AP 15202) for the better part of a decade.

I knew I wanted a Patek. That much was for certain. Back when I was younger, I cut out an ad for the Patek 5146 AC - I guess I was about 18-20, and that was always my goal watch. My mom used to work for a jeweler, and she always used to talk about Patek. This is an itch that I always wanted to scratch, so I knew I wanted something from the catalogue.

I also knew I wanted something new. I gave some thought to a Patek 3940, perhaps a birth year iteration, but vintage scares me and I wanted to be the first owner.

I knew I wanted a calendar watch. I have kind of grown out of the 5146, it feels a little dated to me and my tastes have changed (ironically, I'm less of an old man now). I shifted to the 5327, and that fell extremely flat. I really liked the 5320, but it was more than I wanted to spend, I would have had to go grey, and for a first Patek, I wasn't certain about the coloration and faux patination (I still love that watch). In other words, if I closed my eyes, and thought about a Patek, is the 5320 what I thought of? I keyed onto the 5205G pretty early, but I shifted away from it when I saw the 24 hour subdial. In online pictures, it seemed a little off balance.

Well, after months of waffling about various watches - and I mean months - I read something, somewhere, about how there is no watch that is 100% perfect. And that there comes a time when you just have to pick the best on the board. And despite it being an obvious statement, it strangely resonated with me.

So, I went back to the 5205G. I had never seen it before in the flesh, but my AD said he could get one in a few months. He came through, although apparently they are far more in demand than he realized. So, I got it at MSRP (including the deployant, EEK). However, it was worth it to me to have my sign on the certificate, and all that jazz.

In the flesh, it is nothing short of stunning. The case is gorgeous, the dial has a great amount of depth, and the layout of the dial is pretty spectacular. I think it is one of the most unique designs of the past little while, and Patek really hit its stride with the 5205R and 5205G-013 (this blue iteration). The 24-hour subdial does not bother me at all, and I feel crazy having dismissed the watch because of it. I have a grey-blue strap coming, and I think that will look particularly nice. I have seen a number of Pateks, and up until some grand complications, this may be my favorite recent Patek (Patek 5170R is up there for me, as it the 5231J). I also love that it is an AC, which is what my initial goal watch was. Also, I think it wears well in a casual setting, which is nice given the world we now live in.

Also, there is a minor "professional" aspect. Chief Justice Roberts (who I don't necessarily side with), has an earlier version, and the calendar to me is a good lawyerly complication. I feel like my entire life revolves around dates and deadlines.

Finally, I officially completed my three "Ps" - Patek, Progeny, Partner. It was a big year.

Sorry for the screed.

nb - I completely forgot to mention - my favorite color is blue. May sound puerile to some, but I have a strong relationship with the color - I only use blue ink, I only play with blue game pieces, I only use blue toothbrushes (seriously) - it is an obsession.

HAWT.

Insane lol

Thanks guys.

 

[NakedYoga]

John Roberts, style icon.

All kidding aside, that's an awesome piece, @Newcomer.

Edit: And congrats on the other two P's as well.

 

[Thin White Duke]

Looks good, indoors and out. View attachment 1679962
View attachment 1679963

White lettering and white gold accents on the face really make the dial pop. Looks so much better than the two tone version with gold lettering etc.

 

[Neville Southall]

White lettering and white gold accents on the face really make the dial pop. Looks so much better than the two tone version with gold lettering etc.

Thanks, man. I think the slight changes made a big difference to this watch.

 

[Keith T]

Congrats @Newcomer brilliant choice!

 

[Newcomer]

I think this Baltic is pretty damn cool:

 

[pmeis]

I think this Baltic is pretty damn cool:

View attachment 1681454

Yep. I'm quite pleased that they managed to get the vibe of the 5196p without doing a straight up copy. A watch which might be my favorite Patek which I will never own or frankly have much use for. Also happy they went with the traditional wider set lugs. The silver one is on the way to me.

 

[Neville Southall]

Only took the Goldie off because this one finally came back from its first service. Looks exactly how it did when I bought it.

 

[9thsymph]

Only took the Goldie off because this one finally came back from its first service. Looks exactly how it did when I bought it.
View attachment 1681527 View attachment 1681529

Awesome! Anybody else notice the bezel reflection of the shirt checks creating the illusion of a fluted bezel? For a brief moment I thought you had a 3-6-9 (no date) DJ! Haha...

 

[Neville Southall]

Awesome! Anybody else notice the bezel reflection of the shirt checks creating the illusion of a fluted bezel? For a brief moment I thought you had a 3-6-9 (no date) DJ! Haha...

Hahaha. Now that would be nuts. I forgot how much I like this watch. It’s just… essential.

 

[BlairW]

New aquisition:

 

[FibroblastsMakeLeather]

Only took the Goldie off because this one finally came back from its first service. Looks exactly how it did when I bought it.
View attachment 1681527 View attachment 1681529

I wore mine today too. I use the reflections on my bezel to hide the dings.

 

[pmeis]

After almost a year with my Shadow, I finally decided to try out some new straps. After debating about what I wanted, the new waxed canvas straps from Delugs was what finally convinced me to make a move. Picked up a grey canvas and a petrol blue nubuck strap at the same time, but wanted to try out this green canvas first.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

After almost a year with my Shadow, I finally decided to try out some new straps. After debating about what I wanted, the new waxed canvas straps from Delugs was what finally convinced me to make a move. Picked up a grey canvas and a petrol blue nubuck strap at the same time, but wanted to try out this green canvas first.

Its not a watch I’d wear, but that strap paired with that watch is a nice combo. Thanks for the reference too. I’ll check out Delugs.