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

[patrick_b]

Their prices are incredibly reasonable. And I live near them so I'm willing to drop on by and check out their inventory.

Same, both of mine were in person so as long as you are local, I’d recommend them.

 

[double00]

If you look at high end watch catalogues from the 30s onwards, you will find that there is always an ultra slim pocket watch in precious metal, and it's often one of the most expensive watches in that catalogue. These were specifically made for black tie events and were slim so that they would fit in the folds of your cummerbund.
So, wrist watch - a no-no but a pocket watch of the correct proportions was acceptable.
That was then.......nowadays people turn up to black tie events in a sequinned tuxedo but without a shirt - so I suppose nobody's going to blackball you for wearing a Cartier Tank or any slim Piaget.

at my dad's 2nd wedding a bunch of the dudes ended up shirtless but with their ties on , i've also seen this happen with groomsmen and vests w/ no shirt , i didn't notice any wristwatch faux-pas tho

 

[Texasmade]

at my dad's 2nd wedding a bunch of the dudes ended up shirtless but with their ties on , i've also seen this happen with groomsmen and vests w/ no shirt , i didn't notice any wristwatch faux-pas tho

This also happens at Waffle House

 

[Scuppers]

at my dad's 2nd wedding a bunch of the dudes ended up shirtless but with their ties on , i've also seen this happen with groomsmen and vests w/ no shirt , i didn't notice any wristwatch faux-pas tho

HAH! My sisters 3rd wedding was Sunday just passed - SO disappointed there were no disposed of shirts, would of hurried my inheritance along somewhat!

 

[Dino944]

The only white dial watch I've owned is the Speedy CK2998 Panda. I loved the size (39mm), wearability and it's absolutely stunning appearance but I found legibility to be sub par. At a glance, my 50+ year old eyes couldn't get used to the silver hands and white dial. In pictures it looks like there is adequate contrast but in real world, day to day use in various light conditions it wasn't as good as I'd hoped for so I moved it along.

View attachment 2057213

I'll have to sit down with my contact at the Rolex boutique and try on the Explorer II. I'm hoping it's a low demand watch and he can get one for me. He came through with a 36mm Explorer in just a few weeks but it's a very low demand piece.


Styfo's love of cartier is growing on me and it was your Santos that got me to consider one. Love the Tank but I don't really need a dressy watch and I prefer the legibility of larger, sports watches.

Thanks for the feedback. Always appreciate your perspective.

I hear you on the issue of lack of contrast and aging eyes. I think the modern Explorer II is one of the more legible watches on the market. Extra large hands, larger lume plots, strong contrast of the hands against the background. And as mentioned, I truly think it is one of the most overlooked and underrated pieces in their collection. When it first came out I dismissed it saying Meh, its not a 1655. The 1655 is now a coveted piece, but looking back when I was buying my first Rolex in 1984 (I bought a 16750 GMT), and I remember thinking the 1655 dial was too busy, too odd looking, and why would I need a watch that just gives me military time. Sure the 1655 is an interesting footnote in Rolex history, but I wonder how many people today buy it because they really love the design, vs buy them as investments. I bought 216570 on a whim, it was the only professional model they had when I walked into an AD in 2019, and I really love it! I think they really corrected a lot of the functional and design issues of the original with modern ones.

Visit EWC and hopefully you can try on a 16570 and a modern Explorer II to see which is the right piece for you. EWC usually has a version of each in stock. If for some reason they don't have both available for you to try on, I'd be happy to meet up with you at some point and you can try both of mine on to see what you think. Although, mine are both black dials, and a white dial may have a very different effect on how the watch looks in to your eye in terms of the size and fit of the each model.

View attachment 2057229


My latest watch, I like it, let’s hear from the gallery

It's interesting, and I like that it has a micro rotor for the movement, but it's not a design for me. I like the dial and the case is fine, but I'm not a fan of skeleton hands. In addition, the bigger issue is, while I get that it is their version of a luxury sports watch with an integrated bracelet, for me the design of how the bracelet attaches to the case, just isn't as successful as on say a RO, Nautilus, 222, Overseas, Laureato or Alpine Eagle. Perhaps, it is because the case is round. It is like something is missing. To me even with it's integrated bracelet this watch needs lugs. This was an issue for me with early Lange 1's on gold bracelets, as they had no lugs. They just looked too round and like something was missing. Later Lange revised the design to add the lugs back onto L1s with bracelets, which I thought was a huge improvement and made the watch what it should have been from the start.. Perhaps if the bracelet were wider where it attaches to the case, like on the old IWC GST, I would be ok with the lack of lugs. That being said, no watch can be everything to everyone. I look forward to hearing your ownership impressions once you have had it a while.

What do you think about European Watch Co? Looking to make the trek over there to scope out a PP

They are pleasant to work with and I have sold them a few pieces in the past. I haven't purchased anything there. As @patrick_b has said you really need to see the pieces in person. I went in to look at a vintage IWC, that was described as like new, and it wasn't what I would consider like new, but I'm incredibly picky about condition.

 

[Purplelabel]

I actually prefer it in the all grey look.

And the movement is attractive.

 

[UrbanComposition]

Could someone ID this watch?

 

[Kaplan]

Hard to tell with the resolution of that photo - and it looks like it has no lugs on the bottom? I though it might have been a compass, but then it does have what looks like a winding crown...

Anyway, here's a link to some watches from the era:

A Brief Guide to the Iconic Watches of The Vietnam War — 60Clicks

A concise guide that explores the history of mil-spec and civilian watches used in the Vietnam War between 1964 and 1973 by U.S. forces.

www.60clicks.com

edit: Hmm, if most military watches have black faces, this may even be hanging upside down, from the lower lugs with the steel case back facing out?

 

[chocomallo]

Could someone ID this watch?
View attachment 2058193

Looks like an early example of product placement.

 

[chocomallo]

edit: Hmm, if most military watches have black faces, this may even be hanging upside down, from the lower lugs with the steel case back facing out?

Those are camouflage lugs, naturally.

 

[Kaplan]

Looks like an early example of product placement.

"Early attempts at product placement were not that helpful in letting potential buyers identify the product. And, as it turned out, no one really cared until some 60 years later."

 

[chocomallo]

"Early attempts at product placement were not that helpful in letting potential buyers identify the product. And, as it turned out, no one really cared until some 60 years later."

It is an interesting photo. Maybe smittycl can enlighten us. He’s a military man if I recall correctly. And a history buff. I’m curious where the captain is keeping his ammo. He doesn’t appear to be carrying any sort of basic load.

 

[Omega Male]

I actually prefer it in the all grey look.

And the movement is attractive.

Movement is rather reminiscent of Grönefelt.

 

[Clouseau]

It is an interesting photo. Maybe smittycl can enlighten us. He’s a military man if I recall correctly. And a history buff. I’m curious where the captain is keeping his ammo. He doesn’t appear to be carrying any sort of basic load.

Might be a Seiko. There are several with white dials (even military type). Knowing the year (1964) it should narrow the scope. The Seiko Sport bullseye had long lugs like on the picture but it’s not military I think. Would an officer carry a personal watch?

 

[chocomallo]

Might be a Seiko. There are several with white dials (even military type). Knowing the year (1964) it should narrow the scope. The Seiko Sport bullseye had long lugs like on the picture but it’s not military I think. Would an officer carry a personal watch?

I had a stint in the military by chance a while ago and I carried a timepiece at my own expense—a Casio F-91W.