You are not logged in.
#1 2009-06-04 03:51:04
- baxta59
- Member
- Posts: 117
Expensive Watches
In addition to my addiction to shoes, I have an obsession with expensive watches. Now I understand the concept of 'less is more', but I think this must exclude watches as no one seems to notice if you are wearing a dressy Patek Phillipe or an IWC, or even anything by Rolex in white gold (looks too much llike their stainless steel range).
There are many that I like, but currently wear a Breitling Crosswind bi metal for work (a very robust timepiece) and a Rolex bi metal submariner with a blue dial for evenings. Between them they are valued at around £10k which most people would agree is an obscene amount of money for watches. But at least with these brands you can consider them an investment, more so with Rolex as I have sold a few in the past at a profit.
Both are sports models so I am looking for something a bit more dressy. Any ideas on a good dress watch and what watches do you guys wear? Anyone else on here like/own an expensive watch and have the same sort of obsession?
#2 2009-06-04 05:13:44
- The Beatnik
- Member
- Posts: 392
Re: Expensive Watches
You must be loaded Baxta. Or are you an international jewel thief? If so can you get me a Tag Monaco?
#3 2009-06-04 06:58:40
- baxta59
- Member
- Posts: 117
Re: Expensive Watches
That watch is gorgeous. I especially like the Steve Mcqueen limited edition which I think is the one with the stripes on the face. Good choice.
#4 2009-06-04 13:44:40
- The Ace Face
- Member
- Posts: 613
Re: Expensive Watches
The one with the stripes, the so called "Steve McQueen" has "Gulf" emblazened upon it, very tacky, very football player. The Submariner - the oil rig worker/I've just got back from my first trip working 28days on/off in the Middle East favourite - mass produced, yet eluding the mere whiff of exclusivity to the nouveaus, airfix glue has the same effect on them, takes them back to their youth. The original Monaco from '70/71 (I think) had orange flourescent digits, the blue re-edition is better.
Breitlings - very handy if you're in the Millenium Falcon and are engaged in the complex calculations required to make the jump into hyper space.
I am currently sporting the Omega Speedmaster "Redux" , so exclusive and rare, they've sold over 60MM since 1959.
Draped and sculpted hep cat suit - as worn by His Royal Hepness, Cab Calloway
#5 2009-06-04 14:00:43
- formby
- Member
- From: Wiseacre
- Posts: 8359
Re: Expensive Watches
"Dressing, like painting, should have a residual stability, plus punctuation and surprise." - Richard Merkin
Souvent me Souvient
#6 2009-06-04 15:29:12
- baxta59
- Member
- Posts: 117
Re: Expensive Watches
Forby. Some good choices there. especially the Vacheron. Def worth considering.
Ace Plaice...what is your problem fella? Why slag off what I wear, does it make you feel big?
I was not asking if anyone likes my watches. I buy what I like and I like what I buy. If you don't like it, tough. Are you an astronaut then? Is that why you wear a Speedmaster?
#7 2009-06-04 16:04:41
- formby
- Member
- From: Wiseacre
- Posts: 8359
Re: Expensive Watches
"Dressing, like painting, should have a residual stability, plus punctuation and surprise." - Richard Merkin
Souvent me Souvient
#9 2009-06-04 17:39:59
- Kingstonian
- Member
- From: sea to shining sea
- Posts: 3205
Re: Expensive Watches
Big watchs can make your wrist look small.
Expensive watchs can be a liability as regards street robbery.
I like the look of the reverso. IWC look nice but faces are on the large size. Patek is understated and classy-looking
#10 2009-06-05 04:50:40
- The Beatnik
- Member
- Posts: 392
Re: Expensive Watches
I just genuinely like the Monaco (not the tacky McQueen one) it's not about price, it's simply because I like the look. If the watch was 50 quid and looked great I'd still be buying.
I agree about a lot of watches as a tasteless statement of wealth. I really think it's more about how the watch is worn, and what with, rather than it's price tag. Great thread Baxta by the way
#11 2009-06-05 06:09:36
- baxta59
- Member
- Posts: 117
Re: Expensive Watches
Formby. Love the spitfire too. Not as large as some of their range...I don't think its as big as the Portugese. I nearly bought one a few years back but I was too late...
Very nice!
I would agree that something glitzy covered in diamonds would be just ghastly, but not all expensive watches are a statement of wealth. My father always said to me that 'all a man needs is a good pair of shoes and a decent watch to succeed in life' The shoes enable you to get there and a decent watch to be on time.
#12 2009-06-05 11:14:25
- Marc Grayson
- Member
- Posts: 8860
Re: Expensive Watches
From my watch-loving days, Jaeger is one of the best. Plus, they manufacture their own movements, and, supply movements to Patek, among other brands. At least, they used to.
http://www.jaeger-lecoultre.com/
This is a really nice JLC watch...
http://www.timezone.com/library/horologium/horologium0028
Last edited by Marc Grayson (2009-06-05 11:16:50)
"‘The sense of being perfectly well dressed gives a feeling of inner tranquility which even religion is powerless to bestow." Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Looking good and dressing well is a necessity. Having a purpose in life is not." Oscar Wilde
#13 2009-06-05 11:26:42
- Film Noir Buff
- Dandy Nightmare
- From: Devil's Island
- Posts: 9345
Re: Expensive Watches
I think of watches as mainly an accessory, when I even wear them. Thus, I tend to like the ones that look good irrespective of whether or not you can figure out out the procession of the equinoxes. Cartier, Baume and Mercier, Dunhill and Patek Phillipe are ones I have and I am happy with that. I also have neat little country Paul Stuart watch.
#16 2009-06-05 12:56:01
- The Ace Face
- Member
- Posts: 613
Re: Expensive Watches
Draped and sculpted hep cat suit - as worn by His Royal Hepness, Cab Calloway
#18 2009-09-29 13:55:06
- Naslafu
- Member
- Posts: 59
Re: Expensive Watches
Two tones watches are rather tacky and not easy to resell
#19 2009-09-29 14:10:08
- Grossgrain Silk
- Member
- From: The Inner Bar
- Posts: 877
Re: Expensive Watches
JLC are good watches and can be very discrete - I have an ultra-slim which is about as discrete as it is possible to be. But have also just dropped for a Vacheron 1912 on the basis that it is beautiful.
The other choice is vintage, which can be picked up comparatively cheaply considering what they are. If you are going that route then try and get one with an untouched up dial and make sure - if buying on line - that there is a photo of the movement. This should be clean and the screws should be as close to untouched as makes no difference. Dirt, rust and heavy wear are bad signs.
You can, for example, get a Hamilton Piping Rock in gold - which is a really lovely watch for about $2,000 which is a steal compared to the price charged for today's overweight monsters. Or a Gruen Curvex in gold for much less. Or a decent Longines/Omega in gold for $1500.
#21 2009-09-30 06:35:40
- baxta59
- Member
- Posts: 117
Re: Expensive Watches
How about Audemars Piquet Offshore Royal Oak? Very expensive but really does not justify the high price. A watch seller once told me he would only consider someone a real watch collector if they came into his shop wearing one of these....yeah right...£15,000 plus
I do like the old (1950s) Omega watches on a leather strap. The Constellation and Seamasters are so much nicewr than todays models. And you can pick them up for around £500
#23 2009-09-30 12:40:09
- The Ace Face
- Member
- Posts: 613
Re: Expensive Watches
Draped and sculpted hep cat suit - as worn by His Royal Hepness, Cab Calloway
#24 2009-09-30 13:49:16
- formby
- Member
- From: Wiseacre
- Posts: 8359
Re: Expensive Watches
"Dressing, like painting, should have a residual stability, plus punctuation and surprise." - Richard Merkin
Souvent me Souvient
#25 2009-09-30 14:06:00
- formby
- Member
- From: Wiseacre
- Posts: 8359
Re: Expensive Watches
"Dressing, like painting, should have a residual stability, plus punctuation and surprise." - Richard Merkin
Souvent me Souvient