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

[CBrown85]

But you’re interested in buying a $5k watch that’s essentially a Rolex rip off (in my mind). Why not just get the Rolex knock-off for $200? Surely your students will respect that more that disguising your purchase.

What makes it a Rolex ripoff? Genuinely curious. Seemed like there was enough difference between them. There are only so many variations of dive watches.

 

[BLAUGRANA]

The myth of the rarity of Rolexes is nothing compared to the phenomena of wearing a brandless suit and bag but wearing a watch with its name written 13 times on the dial.

Actually if that picture is anything to go by it's probably 12 times on the dial. That's not to mention that it's not that noticeable and it's there for a specific reason.

@smittycl I usually do not like your posts, you are too silly. But i find your Rolex post above spot on. Rolex went from pure tool watch to "luxury/modern toolwatch" which is at worst an oxymoron; while at best not the way i like it

I actually like both, but either way I think the move to "luxury" tool watch was rather smart. Sure some of these tool watches don't need the polishing, like polished center links, but in doing so you're making it a "dressier" if you will tool watch thus making these particular Rolex models more versatile and "all you really need". A black dial ceramic Daytona for most people would be considered a dressy watch.

But it’s a Tudor. Essentially the poor man’s Rolex. For the same money I’d think you can get a watch that’s the style you like that isn’t such a direct nod to something else that it’s trying to be.

Except a poor man isn't buying a Tudor either.

What makes it a Rolex ripoff? Genuinely curious. Seemed like there was enough difference between them. There are only so many variations of dive watches.

It's not.

If you wanted something different, for under $4k US you could get a Seamaster 300m master coaxial on a bracelet.

 

[Riva]

Actually if that picture is anything to go by it's probably 12 times on the dial. That's not to mention that it's not that noticeable and it's there for a specific reason.

Which is? I can see the Rolex halo just fine without a loupe. Can you guys recommend anything else other than Rolex and Omega? There's a lot of divers under $4k that are more interesting than a Seamaster.

 

[smittycl]

But... I am a poor man.

Aqua Terras are pretty cool. Been looking at those as well.

Why not try German?
Go Stowa or Archimede for Hamilton-level or step up to Muhle Glashutte or Sinn. Hitting the upper levels once you go Glashutte Original or higher.

Christopher Ward has some interesting watches. Unimatic makes neat divers. The only Omega I really want is the Moonwatch although the Seamaster is pretty nice overall.

Kind of all over the map here I realize. Anyway, good luck. Just do the Marie Kondo thing and choose one you love and brings joy.

 

[johnvw]

New addition to my collection loving the slimmer profile for this manual wind Spring Drive. View attachment 1217162

Exquisite! Would you wear this on a black strap?

 

[Texasmade]

Regardless, I’m not interested in Rolex anyway. I don’t want to have to constantly worry about scratching or accidentally slamming an $8k watch into a table- I’ve been doing some reading and the Black Bay Fifty Eight and the 41. The 41 in blue is pretty beautiful, is cheap, and would easily dress up or down depending on what I’m wearing that day- which is typically just pents and an odd jacket.

I wouldn’t worry about scratches or nicks. It’s going to happen no matter what if you wear your watch daily. The first day I wore my AP Royal Oak, my friend’s 1 y/o kid flung a metal number tent at a restaurant across the table and nicked my watch. The FIRST FREAKING DAY I wore my watch. After that I’ve sort of learned to accept that **** happens and your watch isn’t going to stay in perfect condition forever if you wear it.

 

[dan'l]

^ You know, for some reason I remember the first time you shared this story. I felt really bad for you at the time and subconsciously think about it whenever I wear one of my more "precious" pieces.

 

[Dino944]

Lovely. I agree that yellow gold looks great. I prefer it to rose gold, which I think is a bit of a fad. Like Panerai and big IWC watches were recently. Just ask Foo, he went head first into that mess. In my opinion, yellow looks better than rose on most watches. I do like the rose gold Vacheron American over the yellow for example. But imagine a rose gold Submariner over yellow. Would be awful.

Not sure I'd call rose gold a fad. Its been used by the big names in watch making for decades. However, it was never as popular as rose gold. It seems in the last 20 + years rose gold became more popular. I think it tends to look softer, a bit more vintage, and less "1980s" than some yellow gold watches do. I think if a younger guy is buying something in all gold, they often pull it off better in pink or rose as it looks a little more toned down and less flashy in rose than yellow.

Whether a watch looks better in yellow or rose often depends on the watch, and on the shade of gold. I own 2 VCs, and the shades of gold are different, even the paperwork indicates one is 4N pink gold and the other is 5N which is pinker (as a reference point yellow gold is 3N).

I also like the VC 1921 American in rose more than in yellow. However, when AP first released their latest generation of 15202 Jumbos in pink gold, their dial choice of blue just didn't work with their alloy/color that they pink gold(which is probably closer to rose gold). I agree I can't imagine a rose gold Sub over a yellow gold one. However, if given a choice of a modern yellow gold Daytona or modern rose gold Daytona, I'd choose it in rose. In the end there is no right or wrong...for me it always depends on the watch design, and shade of gold the company uses. Cheers!

 

[tchoy]

Exquisite! Would you wear this on a black strap?

Thank you the watch came with a black croc strap I would wear it on more formal occasions preferred to dress it down.

 

[Ebitdaddy]

The new Junghans piece with a splash of red is so ******* hawt.

News

www.junghans.de

 

[Journeyman]

Over thought it much?
It is a watch, not an extension of your personality.

I think that you are underestimating or ignoring the reasons we wear things.

There are undoubtedly some people out there who buy something because it is cheap and utilitarian and wear it without a second thought - but even then we could argue that a quartz Timex is thus an extension of their personality as it echoes their view that clothing and accessories should be cheap, utilitarian and hard-wearing.

In all seriousness, when you spend tens of thousands of dollars on a Patek Philippe, or any of your other high-end watches, are you not giving at least some thought as to why you like it and how you will wear it? I know that we like to fetishise the decoration of movements and so on but this is, after all, Styleforum and so I think that we all, to some extent, do consider how this watch will look when we wear it - and that consideration includes not only how it will fit into our ensemble but how it will look to other people.

After all, like it or not, we are social creatures and the vast majority of us care about how we present ourselves to others. Otherwise, we'd all be wearing tracksuits outside the house...

 

[LA Guy]

I think that you are underestimating or ignoring the reasons we wear things.

There are undoubtedly some people out there who buy something because it is cheap and utilitarian and wear it without a second thought - but even then we could argue that a quartz Timex is thus an extension of their personality as it echoes their view that clothing and accessories should be cheap, utilitarian and hard-wearing.

In all seriousness, when you spend tens of thousands of dollars on a Patek Philippe, or any of your other high-end watches, are you not giving at least some thought as to why you like it and how you will wear it? I know that we like to fetishise the decoration of movements and so on but this is, after all, Styleforum and so I think that we all, to some extent, do consider how this watch will look when we wear it - and that consideration includes not only how it will fit into our ensemble but how it will look to other people.

After all, like it or not, we are social creatures and the vast majority of us care about how we present ourselves to others. Otherwise, we'd all be wearing tracksuits outside the house...

This. How we dress, including not just clothing but all of our adornment, serves as non-linguistic semiotic resources. The choices that we make are symbol laden. How we dress is central to the how we self-perceive and self-present.

Just read the last few pages of posts about not just how a Rolex might signal to @CBrown85 's students, but also, between the lines, on how the way he perceives the company influences his choice to not get a Rolex. Or the side conversation about the emotional reaction to yellow gold. The objects that we choose to purchase, particularly in a consumer society, are full of symbolic significance.

 

[Ebitdaddy]

I wouldn’t worry about scratches or nicks. It’s going to happen no matter what if you wear your watch daily. The first day I wore my AP Royal Oak, my friend’s 1 y/o kid flung a metal number tent at a restaurant across the table and nicked my watch. The FIRST FREAKING DAY I wore my watch. After that I’ve sort of learned to accept that **** happens and your watch isn’t going to stay in perfect condition forever if you wear it.

Yeah or just buy used and it comes scratches so at that points it's not a huge deal!

 

[chocomallo]

Not sure I'd call rose gold a fad. Its been used by the big names in watch making for decades. However, it was never as popular as rose gold. It seems in the last 20 + years rose gold became more popular. I think it tends to look softer, a bit more vintage, and less "1980s" than some yellow gold watches do. I think if a younger guy is buying something in all gold, they often pull it off better in pink or rose as it looks a little more toned down and less flashy in rose than yellow.

Whether a watch looks better in yellow or rose often depends on the watch, and on the shade of gold. I own 2 VCs, and the shades of gold are different, even the paperwork indicates one is 4N pink gold and the other is 5N which is pinker (as a reference point yellow gold is 3N).

I also like the VC 1921 American in rose more than in yellow. However, when AP first released their latest generation of 15202 Jumbos in pink gold, their dial choice of blue just didn't work with their alloy/color that they pink gold(which is probably closer to rose gold). I agree I can't imagine a rose gold Sub over a yellow gold one. However, if given a choice of a modern yellow gold Daytona or modern rose gold Daytona, I'd choose it in rose. In the end there is no right or wrong...for me it always depends on the watch design, and shade of gold the company uses. Cheers!

Well put as always, Dino. I kinda like that version of the Jumbo, though.

 

[BLAUGRANA]

Which is? I can see the Rolex halo just fine without a loupe. Can you guys recommend anything else other than Rolex and Omega? There's a lot of divers under $4k that are more interesting than a Seamaster.

A layer of protection against counterfeiting. And I can see it without a loupe as well, but it still isn't that noticeable.

Of course. Doxa for one.