Watches - another OCD problem
-
A change of scenery with my job has me now working in Dubai. There is every watch boutique you could wish for here and I spent a good few days visiting them.
No Rolex or Patek stock anywhere (some things don't change). Rolex purchases require a spend profile per year that the shop quite openly tell you about. A lot of the various watch brand boutiques are owned by the same local company so purchases from any of these boutiques count towards allowing you to get on a list for a Rolex sports model.
Apologies in advance, the following will be a photo dump from three days worth of watch browsing.
First up is Vacheron, I did fall in love with the American 1921, manual wind, interesting case and dial. Very well put together. probably one of the nicest finished watches I looked at.
I also tried on an Overseas rose gold blue dial 4500 three hand watch and a lovely grey and rose gold manual wind dress watch. Dress watch was lovely but a bit large, cant recall but it was something like 42mm
A real eye opener was the Heritage collection from Mont Blanc which feature the Minerva movements. Some stunning movements and finishing on display. The bronze monopusher chrono was really nice. Also a manual wind three hand watch and also the Doctors pulsograph watch.
Next up was the Zenith boutique with a good selection of el primero chronomasters.
The Breguet boutique had some amazing pieces including a double tourbillon, blue and white enamal dial dress watches and a 7047 tourbillon
Longines have some really good great value pieces including the black and white tuxedo three hand model, the pilots offset dial chrono was also interesting.
I spent quite a bit of time in the Lange boutique and they had a Zeitwerk date which I struggled to find any fault with, money withstanding I would have purchased it there and then.
Disappointed with the Ulysses Nardin watches, dial and movement finishing were not great for the prices asked. I was offered 25% discount on first visit, I think you could get more if you pushed for it. The dress watch is an enamel dial but nowhere near as nice as the Breguet enamel dials.
The new Piaget polo three hand model is very nice and good Nautilus / Royal Oak type watch that you can actually walk into a store and buy. The rubber strap was very comfortable on this watch.
Both IWC khaki (Mohave) and white (lake Tahoe) ceramic models are now wait listed, supply within 12 months. IWC are ramping up the ceramic production apparently to meet demand. I liked the white ceramic Lake Tahoe model but it would need quite a bit of cleaning, not sure how well the rubber strap would last in terms of staying white?
Having completed all the boutiques in the huge shopping mall I ventured out to see some of the grey market dealers. Watchbox store had a really good selection including a stunning Patek 5270g. More Moser's than I have ever seen in one place. A snoopy silver Speedmaster. Patek 5212 and a couple of Czapek Antarctique's
-
I came to post a pic of my MRG at work but am completely gobsmacked. That VC Overseas and the Moser “apple watch” would be my two faves, but man what a challenge to pick. The Langes are also so lovely…..
-
And a slightly un-Lange-like Japanese titanium monster
-
@Anesthetist I thought that you were only into small watches!
The finishing on the MR-G monster looks really sharp. I'd put it up there with some of the mid-level Swiss brands, possibly better.
-
Seiko SBBN033. For the Japanese Domestic Market. Worn on a Strapcode Hexad brushed bracelet. Absolutely love this watch. Bought it about 2 years ago and it gets worn a lot.
-
-
@Graeme every now n then you gotta shock the system
I’m at a stand still guys. If given had the choice between an IWC Spitfire, MK XVIII, MK XX, SUF 180 or Grand Seiko SBGX341 which would you go for. The MK XVIII I have my sites on is used on bracelet, the other IWCs & SUF would be new, as would the GS. I know the GS is different but in a way is almost a quartz Ingenieur. It is also around $1000 cheaper than the IWCs.
I’m drawn to the XX & Spitfire over the XVIII bc of their smaller cases, bigger power reserve, and water resistance, but their new manufacture movement has mixed reviews with timing and a jumpy minute hand. The Spitfire also has fauxtina which I am back and forth on.
-
I’d prefer an in house generally to a Sellita but if the XX movement isn’t good I’d probably lean GS. Might regardless, precision quartz is cool.
Think it, be it.
-
There were three suppliers of the Mark XI: IWC, Jaeger, and Omega. Omega released theirs in 1953, and since they're rarely one to miss the opportunity to bring out a limited edition to celebrate an anniversary, it's possible we might get a RAF watch off them this year. Maybe wait a few weeks and see what comes up around Watches and Wonders.
I like the IWC Mark XX, but the jumping minute hand would annoy me. It's possible that they'll fix it in a revision, but some of the comments I saw online suggest that "they all do that".
I do like the Grand Seiko. They make fantastic quartz movements, so that appeals.
The Oris ProPilot X 400 might be an alternative. It's cheaper than the IWC, has their new in-house movement in it, and a titanium integrated case. The Longines Majetek has just been released, and is another retro pilots watch, though a pre-war design, but I'd go for the Ultra Chron in preference.
-
I'm leaning towards the mark xx. been eying that too.
-
At this point, I’m almost leaning toward the GS because I’m pretty sure the XX minute would piss me off. I like the Oris and have tried one on and it didnt suit me in the flesh. If Omega did a limited edition, it would be intriguing but probably more than I want to invest.
IG: bluehandsslim
-
@mclaincausey me too in theory. One of the good things about an ebauche is almost anyone can service it.
-
Panerai 127 'Fiddy' - daily beater only ever worn on Kevin 'ADEEOS' Rogers straps!
-
Looks great Gary, more pics in the sun when you have the time please
-
I have the IWC Spitfire Chrono. Although I love it, I would pick either of my Grand Seiko’s any day of the week!
-
Grand Seiko ‘Sakura’.
In the press release / marketing pics the dial always looks pink. In real life, it typically looks silvery/grey. You only get a hint of a pink hue at certain angles and in certain light, but it is very subtle.
Titanium construction. Every time I wear it, I am blown away…..
-
A lovely piece. I saw the Sakura hand winder at an AD two weekends ago and it was PERFECT but at full price, a bit out of range for now.
