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

[Viral]

facts!

 

[9thsymph]

Rolex should release a rectangular dress watch called “the Watch formally known as the Prince”

 

[9thsymph]

Back in the office trash-flexing with gaudy Rolex again!

 

[Texasmade]

I'm still wearing my erector set watch.

 

[Newcomer]

Recently, I came across the above-pictured watch - the Christopher Ward Bel Canto. It is a sonnerie, i.e., it chimes on the hour, and it costs about $4,000. Personally, I do not care about this watch one bit. However, it has caused me to think.

Between CNC machines, the access, and ability to deconstruct, existing movements, CAD, globalization, etc., there is unquestionably a democratization of complications and, to varying extents, the finishing of components. What I personally find interesting is that both lower-tier and upper-tier brands rely on these leaps in technology. It made me think of the Patek 5935A, which seemingly has a stamped guilloche. This is a watch from Patek, and it is using the same technology as some of the lower-tier brands. As time goes by, and it becomes more and more economically beneficial to assemble watches via improvements in technology, I wonder whether the gap between lower-tier brands and upper-tier brands will continue to shrink.

In its past, Patek created perpetual calendar chronographs, minute repeaters, etc., without CAD and without CNC machines. Unquestionably, that required obscene amounts of know-how, experience, watchmaking, etc. With improvements to technology, and with that technology becoming more accessible, what will separate the top from the bottom?

I try not to fetishize finishing, but that is really the one thing - aside from super high complications - that will separate the high from the low. Or maybe ingenuity? Design?

 

[9thsymph]

I

View attachment 1853638

Recently, I came across the above-pictured watch - the Christopher Ward Bel Canto. It is a sonnerie, i.e., it chimes on the hour, and it costs about $4,000. Personally, I do not care about this watch one bit. However, it has caused me to think.

Between CNC machines, the access, and ability to deconstruct, existing movements, CAD, globalization, etc., there is unquestionably a democratization of complications and, to varying extents, the finishing of components. What I personally find interesting is that both lower-tier and upper-tier brands rely on these leaps in technology. It made me think of the Patek 5935A, which seemingly has a stamped guilloche. This is a watch from Patek, and it is using the same technology as some of the lower-tier brands. As time goes by, and it becomes more and more economically beneficial to assemble watches via improvements in technology, I wonder whether the gap between lower-tier brands and upper-tier brands will continue to shrink.

In its past, Patek created perpetual calendar chronographs, minute repeaters, etc., without CAD and without CNC machines. Unquestionably, that required obscene amounts of know-how, experience, watchmaking, etc. With improvements to technology, and with that technology becoming more accessible, what will separate the top from the bottom?

I try not to fetishize finishing, but that is really the one thing - aside from super high complications - that will separate the high from the low. Or maybe ingenuity? Design?

I have thoughts, but will let them more fully form before I share. In the meantime, I’ll just say the points you make also may [continue to] propel “fake” watches into to uncharted territory…?

 

[montecristo#2]

Enjoying a beautiful fall day at the country house LOL.

 

[Omega Male]

Some hype is still strong.

A Tiffany Blue Patek Philippe Nautilus Just Sold for $3.2 Million

Christie's sold a Tiffany Blue Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 for $3.2 million, only the second model of the limited-edition watch to hit the block.

robbreport.com

 

[am55]

Some hype is still strong.

A Tiffany Blue Patek Philippe Nautilus Just Sold for $3.2 Million

Christie's sold a Tiffany Blue Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 for $3.2 million, only the second model of the limited-edition watch to hit the block.

robbreport.com

Not that strong, already nearing half the first price achieved. In line with other asset classes. There's just too many of the things to guarantee uniqueness like with proper art.

 

[DorianGreen]

Some hype is still strong.

A Tiffany Blue Patek Philippe Nautilus Just Sold for $3.2 Million

Christie's sold a Tiffany Blue Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 for $3.2 million, only the second model of the limited-edition watch to hit the block.

robbreport.com

Not that strong, already nearing half the first price achieved. In line with other asset classes. There's just too many of the things to guarantee uniqueness like with proper art.

3,2 million dollar is still a huge amount of money, which I'd never put on that flashy watch.

 

[Vocans]

Not that strong, already nearing half the first price achieved. In line with other asset classes. There's just too many of the things to guarantee uniqueness like with proper art.

First one was a charity auction though iirc. Usually gives it an additional price bump

 

[am55]

First one was a charity auction though iirc. Usually gives it an additional price bump

Auction winner deposits payment to Philip Stern:

 

[edmorel]

Enjoying a beautiful fall day at the country house LOL.

View attachment 1853658

Can’t explain it but I find the “simple” Journe watches to be perfection. They elicit an emotional reaction from me that I get with no other watches. The Bleu Tantalum, to me, is the most beautiful watch currently being made, nothing from the Holy Trinity touches it.

 

[TheFoo]

Maybe I’ll just sell all my other watches.

 

[classicalthunde]

Maybe I’ll just sell all my other watches.

View attachment 1853937

Sub, 5296G, Black Daytona, and 5170G would be a pretty streamlined yet versatile collection.

Sub - daily driver that can get beat up
5296G - leans dress but can be dressed down
Black Daytona - show-y flex piece
5170G - leans casual but can be dressed up