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

[Satmoche]

Any regrets going down the GS route? They've always been top of mind for me and might be my next grail

Which models did you have in mind?
I love my Snowflake and I am considering either getting the SBGX261

Or the SBGW231.

 

[Clouseau]

Which models did you have in mind?
I love my Snowflake and I am considering either getting the SBGX261

Or the SBGW231.

I was very close to buy a SBGX261 (nice design) a few months ago, especially as i could have it proxy from Japan, so at a great price. But two things stopped me :
The quartz movement on a luxury Watch.
The Zaratsu polishing, really too blingy and flashy.

 

[Satmoche]

I was very close to buy a SBGX261 (nice design) a few months ago, especially as i could have it proxy from Japan, so at a great price. But two things stopped me :
The quartz movement on a luxury Watch.
The Zaratsu polishing, really too blingy and flashy.

I understand but this quartz is not any quartz though, they make their own crystal themselves and it is a high precision one, +/- 10 seconds per year. I would not put it in the same bag with other 'cheap' quartz movements. Plus, not all automatic movements and/or hand-winded ones are great.
If it is the 'ticking' of the seconds that bother you, I get it. If so, would a true second complication not work for you?

As for the zaratsu, I find it quite discreet on my Snowflake and I quite enjoy it as it does highlight the attention to detail.

 

[flipstah]

Which models did you have in mind?
I love my Snowflake and I am considering either getting the SBGX261

Or the SBGW231.

I was thinking getting one of their quartz offerings or if it's attainable, the Snowflake. Been searching Chrono24 for a 'good deal' on one so patience is a virtue.

 

[Clouseau]

I understand but this quartz is not any quartz though, they make their own crystal themselves and it is a high precision one, +/- 10 seconds per year. I would not put it in the same bag with other 'cheap' quartz movements. Plus, not all automatic movements and/or hand-winded ones are great.
If it is the 'ticking' of the seconds that bother you, I get it. If so, would a true second complication not work for you?

As for the zaratsu, I find it quite discreet on my Snowflake and I quite enjoy it as it does highlight the attention to detail.

Exactly, the ticking !
I would have probably bought it in a smaller dimension like 36mm.
The Zaratsu well each to his own… I now love titanium.

 

[Satmoche]

I was thinking getting one of their quartz offerings or if it's attainable, the Snowflake. Been searching Chrono24 for a 'good deal' on one so patience is a virtue.

If you have a friend living in Japan, get them from there, they are so much cheaper - at least on Chrono24. Try them on beforehand, although a 41mm, the Snowflake sits well on my wrist. How do you feel about the power reserve on the dial?

Exactly, the ticking !
I would have probably bought it in a smaller dimension like 36mm.
The Zaratsu well each to his own… I now love titanium.

Get a Spring Drive or a Hi-beat then?

 

[LeeR]

I heard about that too.
The friend I mentioned in my previous post had bought a 1675, last year, and he had it serviced shortly after. He told me that they changed the bezel as the numbers had faded away. They must have changed parts of the movement too as this was an 'old' watch.

I'm really confused about this. Granted, it was years ago. When I had my '77 Rolex GMT Master serviced, Rolex checked with me concerning what I wanted replaced. They asked if I wanted a sapphire crystal or keep the acrylic. I obviously kept the acrylic. As far as the internals, Rolex listed what they wanted to do and one could decline or accept. Does anyone here have recent experience with Rolex service?

 

[flipstah]

If you have a friend living in Japan, get them from there, they are so much cheaper - at least on Chrono24. Try them on beforehand, although a 41mm, the Snowflake sits well on my wrist. How do you feel about the power reserve on the dial?

Get a Spring Drive or a Hi-beat then?

The power reserve on the dial doesn't bother me; more intrigued by the dial. Thanks for the confirmation!

 

[Newcomer]

Dang, who let all the virgins in today?

 

[9thsymph]

Dang, who let all the virgins in today?

Rolex vs Tudor any second….

 

[Clouseau]

@chocomallo - what is remaining in your collection at this point?

He said it more than once, but it’s probably the Mirage dial that makes your head spin? 🤭 Two watches : Rolex GMT (Pepsi) and Patek (ref. tbh i don’t remember)

 

[Dino944]

I'm really confused about this. Granted, it was years ago. When I had my '77 Rolex GMT Master serviced, Rolex checked with me concerning what I wanted replaced. They asked if I wanted a sapphire crystal or keep the acrylic. I obviously kept the acrylic. As far as the internals, Rolex listed what they wanted to do and one could decline or accept. Does anyone here have recent experience with Rolex service?

My experience was largely the same. If the watch requires more than a service of the movement along with replacing the gaskets and tube for the winding crown, then they contact you to get your authorization. The most commonly suggested extra costs replacement parts are hands and dials, if the watches are pre-2000 and used tritium and the lume no longer glows. They will also suggest replacing faded aluminum bezels for old Subs, SDs, GMTs etc. They are not supposed to replace items without authorization, because these are additional expenses beyond the service. However, there have been stories of overzealous watchmakers who have done it without authorization.

I had my 1994 16528 Daytona Rolex serviced it a few years ago. They recommended changing the dial and hands because the lume no longer works. I declined. They also suggested replacing the winding crown as it was showing signs of wear. As it is functional and integral to keeping dust and moisture out, I authorized it's replacement. Other than that, it just had a movement service and replacement of the gaskets.

 

[Neville Southall]

Any regrets going down the GS route? They've always been top of mind for me and might be my next grail

Never. Not for a second. I wear this watch all the time. I've said this before, but an under-the-loupe analysis reveals just how meticulously finished GS dials, hands, and hour markers are. The bracelets need work, but everything else is simply stunning.

 

[Neville Southall]

Dang, who let all the virgins in today?

Virgins? Wait for the incels to jump in promoting the Barstool watch. Any second now.

 

[chocomallo]

@chocomallo - what is remaining in your collection at this point?

Rolex 1675 and Patek 5205