Watches - another OCD problem
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@Graeme I have to stop looking at watches for a while, as you know the Patek Gods shone on me again recently so the bank account needs topping up.
Some of you who follow this thread may recall that back on page 434 I posted about a trip in June to Geneva I was invited on by Patek Philippe to see their museum and manufacturing facilities. At the end of this trip all the guests were asked for a wish list of timepieces to add to their collections. Despite being warned off of asking for a Nautilus, I did just that.
Well 4 months later I got the call that a 5712/1A-001 Nautilus was mine if I wanted it. I picked it up a couple of weeks ago. I really like it, the dial has character, it has the micro rotor movement which has a tenuous link to the original 3800 Nautilus designer Gerald Genta. Genta worked originally as a watchmaker at universal Geneve and was apparently involved in the team that made the Polerouter watch in the early - mid 1950s, this watch used a calibre 251 movement which looks to have been the first movement to use a micro rotor.
This is amazing. There are only a few PPs I like and this is certainly one of them. I was lucky enough to try on an Aquanut pre-hype but was a litttle dissapointed how delicate it felt (possibly missing the point). How does the Nautilus feel?
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While I have been blessed with a Nautilus it looks like I am going to have to build a new relationship with another AD as I got the bad news that Wempe UK, where I have been looked after very well, are closing in the New Year.
The reasons for the closure was described to me as not "making enough money on watches". They are suffering from people walking in to the store with a specific model or make in mind to buy, GMT Master, Nautilus, Submariner (insert any hot watch name here).
Wempe carry many lovely brands that don't get the attention or sales as customers are targeting specific models (I am guilty of this myself). Not enough customers walk into a multi brand dealer like Wempe and browse the watches on display, try a few on and purchase something from that visit.
I am certainly part of this issue as a self confessed Rolex fan boy and my AD said similar. They make their real money from the so called lesser brands. I can see UK consolidation happening with many family owned ADs losing status and Rolex now selling pre-owned. Would've thought Wempe were big enough to survive though.
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[mention]goosehd [/mention] I have an MRG and it is a FANTASTIC watch. Totally under appreciated but an amazing piece with top notch fit, finish, and functionality. The art editions take it up a notch and make them about 3-5k more [emoji15]
[mention]Bored In Breck [/mention] one of my biggest regrets was trading my Speedy for a PAM. I loves my Speedy [emoji22]
I love my other speedy too, but not the same….
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@Anesthetist I was shocked at the price of the one I posted. It was listed for $10,800 CAD ($8000 USD) and I didn’t know that G-Shocks were fetching those kind of prices. I received the notice/email for the only one in Canada being sold/available, and it had sold within 2 minutes.
How are the MRG’s in their fit and finish? The pictures of the one I posted looked superb in pictures, but I would really like to see one in person.
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@mclaincausey - Yup, I’m up here in Breck. I see you MTB, the trails are amazing here (not now of course). If you ever end up in the area let me know.
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Will do @Bored In Breck ; have many friends up there and love it. Take care!
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Feast your eyes on this monstrosity. I put my 3861 Speedmaster bracelet on my newly acquired Moonswatch. I got quite the reaction from Reddit!
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@nrtphotos Haha! I love it. It might get a few double takes by purists…
I recently came accross a gentleman who was attempting to replace the the movement of his moonswatch with an actual 1861 movement from his damaged moonwatch. He caught hell for it, but I think it should be celebrated. To each their own!
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@Kingsselvedge The Nautilus is a lovely watch to wear, the bracelet is very comfortable despite lacking any micro adjustment. It does feel more delicate than an Oyster bracelet though.
The dial can look quite different in different types of light from black through to a silver blue gradient.
I have since taken some better pictures of the watch. I still find the workmanship and details on the movement mesmerising.
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I saw your speedy earlier in the thread and haven’t been able to stop thinking about how fun it would be to build my own ideal speedmaster. Lots of super cool pieces on here, but this one of a kind beauty has stuck with me.
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@ddtrash That's a stunning timepiece. Does it have the perpetual calendar?
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@ddtrash That's a stunning timepiece. Does it have the perpetual calendar?
@the246guy Thank you for the kind compliment. This 5712 model does not have an annual Calendar. The 5712 has a power reserve indicator at the 10 o'clock position, a small running seconds hand at the 4 o'clock position and a date indicator with internal moonphase indicator at the 7 o'clock position.
The 5726 Nautilus model has both the annual calendar and moonphase complications. This model has a more symmetrical dial and a chunkier case. Picture of the 5726 below.
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@ddtrash That's a stunning timepiece. Does it have the perpetual calendar?
There is also a perpetual calendar model (5740/1G) but this one very expensive as it comes with a white gold case and bracelet. I have seen one of these in person and they are really nice, the blue on the dial is slightly lighter and brighter than the normal steel references. Picture of the 5740 below.
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With this threads recent posts regarding the fabulous Speedmaster series of watches, I thought I could share my daily driver that I use at work the Mark1, X-33. Like @Anesthetist I find this watch a really comfortable versatile daily wear watch. Must admit I have been eyeing up the current version with the black dial, super nice!
The really loud alarm through the use of a second amplifying caseback is a really neat piece of design in the X-33 series watches.
I have been trying to get the 321 calibre Ed White Speedmaster since they were released, no joy yet. The movement on that watch is beautiful.
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That X-33 has some stories….
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@Kingsselvedge The Nautilus is a lovely watch to wear, the bracelet is very comfortable despite lacking any micro adjustment. It does feel more delicate than an Oyster bracelet though.
The dial can look quite different in different types of light from black through to a silver blue gradient.
I have since taken some better pictures of the watch. I still find the workmanship and details on the movement mesmerising.
Thanks @ddtrash for the extra pics. It really is stunning. Love the open case back and the integrated bracelet. Had my head turned recently by the new Vacheron with the integrated bracelet. Does the Nautilus become a scratch magnet? I tend not to baby my warches but had a steel bezel Daytona for a while and even just grabbing some chamge from my jean pocket would leave micro scratches. I seem to have setteld on ceramic bezels as my sweet spot.
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@Kingsselvedge The Nautilus is a scratch magnet and it is not a daily wear for me. Like you I have settled on a ceramic bezel Rolex for daily duties when not at work, 124060 Sub takes care of this.
I have seen pictures of Nautilus that have been worn daily and they can stand being used normally and are mechanically sounds but with all those polished and brushed surfaces it is impossible to keep them box fresh for too long.
Everyone will have a different opinion on how to treat and wear watches, some folks beat the crap out of everything they wear and give no special consideration to any watch regardless of cost / finish. I fall more into the other camp where I have daily drivers and more special pieces which do get worn but less so. I quite like this approach as it you still get that "best watch" feeling when you wear the more special pieces.
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@Bored:
That X-33 has some stories….
@Bored In Breck I have enjoyed an interesting career to date that has taken me to some weird and wonderful places around the world and I have been in a few scrapes both literally and metaphorically. The X-33 has been a great travel watch.
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There are very effective treatments to surface-harden steel such that a case would be resilient to scratches, but I have not seen it done on a shiny finish. My Damasko field watch has such a treatment and it's a dull grey. I haven't heard of a sport luxury watch with a surface-hardened steel case.
