The watch thread.

iainw

Member
Messages
3,386
I just bought myself my first ‘decent’ watch. I realise it’s not premier league but I couldn’t advocate spending any more, and if it has it would have affected car options.. I have always been a bit paranoid about having one before as I always have to take it off when I am operating etc, and I have lost more watches than I can remember... but I thought F it after stalking a particular type for a Couple of years. Would love to hear any expert opinions on it - re if it will hold its value or if there is something better at the price point. I probably should have asked before I bought it- It hasn’t arrived yet however. It a Cartier Santos 100 (the 42mm chronograph version). Rose gold and stainless steel I believe with a brown alligator strap. Again I should have asked for opinions re: alligator vs crocodile as they were similar prices .
 

Rwc13

Member
Messages
1,668
I swapped the Speedmaster onto a Nato strap today. I love the way you can reinvent a watch very cheaply just my swapping a bracelet for a leather, rubber or nylon strap
 

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hashluck

Member
Messages
1,515
Some very special watches there.

Out of interest, how are you enjoying owning the Voutilainan? They are so rare and special; do you wear it often? I’d be tempted to never take it off :).

My daily is a Jaeger LeCoultre Master Control in steel with stainless steel bracelet. The Voutilainen is looked at more than worn. It is not that special to me as I did not specify it which is part of the whole thing I think, having met the great man it would be fantastic to sit and work out the details on having him make a watch to order (a bit like specifying a brand new Aston Martin or Ferrari for example and as I did with the Laurent Ferrier). This one I had the opportunity to obtain via a convoluted deal but will likely sell when the time is right. Bizarrely for no real reason I can remember I stopped wearing a watch altogether some time last year and have, sadly, not worn any of those pictured since, except the Patek Regulator when I adjusted the annual calendar for the leap year.
 

Lavazza

Member
Messages
1,060
My daily is a Jaeger LeCoultre Master Control in steel with stainless steel bracelet. The Voutilainen is looked at more than worn. It is not that special to me as I did not specify it which is part of the whole thing I think, having met the great man it would be fantastic to sit and work out the details on having him make a watch to order (a bit like specifying a brand new Aston Martin or Ferrari for example and as I did with the Laurent Ferrier). This one I had the opportunity to obtain via a convoluted deal but will likely sell when the time is right. Bizarrely for no real reason I can remember I stopped wearing a watch altogether some time last year and have, sadly, not worn any of those pictured since, except the Patek Regulator when I adjusted the annual calendar for the leap year.
I've always admired the JLC Master Control. I had a Reverso, but found it was a little too delicate for my style, but the Master Control would be perfect.
A friend has quite a few JLC and really rates them.
 

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,549
I've always admired the JLC Master Control. I had a Reverso, but found it was a little too delicate for my style, but the Master Control would be perfect.
A friend has quite a few JLC and really rates them.

Used to fancy a JLC because of the dials on our first Alfa ('79 116)

Not finding one I really like these days. A Reverso might be nice.

Mrs C is getting me a Longines Master Collection Retrograde for my 50th. Which I am rather looking forward to...

C
 

Hawk13

Member
Messages
1,471
Love Chris ward stuff, good quality watches for reasonable cost. Must say I am really tempted by the new trident.....

There are 5 CW watches in our household ... 3 mens and 2 women's but I havent bought one for nearly 10 years as I cant stand the new logos / branding.

To me the older branding was much classier.
 

Scaf

Member
Messages
6,512
I just bought myself my first ‘decent’ watch. I realise it’s not premier league but I couldn’t advocate spending any more, and if it has it would have affected car options.. I have always been a bit paranoid about having one before as I always have to take it off when I am operating etc, and I have lost more watches than I can remember... but I thought F it after stalking a particular type for a Couple of years. Would love to hear any expert opinions on it - re if it will hold its value or if there is something better at the price point. I probably should have asked before I bought it- It hasn’t arrived yet however. It a Cartier Santos 100 (the 42mm chronograph version). Rose gold and stainless steel I believe with a brown alligator strap. Again I should have asked for opinions re: alligator vs crocodile as they were similar prices .
That’s a lovely watch, congratulations.
I have a Cartier Ballon Blu 42mm in rose gold, alligator strap, it’s my only watch and I wear it daily.
 

Wattie

Member
Messages
8,640
I just bought myself my first ‘decent’ watch. I realise it’s not premier league but I couldn’t advocate spending any more, and if it has it would have affected car options.. I have always been a bit paranoid about having one before as I always have to take it off when I am operating etc, and I have lost more watches than I can remember... but I thought F it after stalking a particular type for a Couple of years. Would love to hear any expert opinions on it - re if it will hold its value or if there is something better at the price point. I probably should have asked before I bought it- It hasn’t arrived yet however. It a Cartier Santos 100 (the 42mm chronograph version). Rose gold and stainless steel I believe with a brown alligator strap. Again I should have asked for opinions re: alligator vs crocodile as they were similar prices .

No idea whether the value will hold up or which straps better but that is a very nice watch.
An obvious option I would have thought is a Daytona of some variety......but that doesn’t have the date.
Enjoy.
 

Lavazza

Member
Messages
1,060
No idea whether the value will hold up or which straps better but that is a very nice watch.
An obvious option I would have thought is a Daytona of some variety......but that doesn’t have the date.
Enjoy.
If anyone is interested I have a 116520 Daytona Stainless with rare 'APH' dial.
Perfect condition and provonanance.
 

JonW

Member
Messages
3,259
If anyone is interested I have a 116520 Daytona Stainless with rare 'APH' dial.
Perfect condition and provonanance.
Very nice Lavazza - I’m a big fan of the stainless Daytona and I really want a white dial 16520 (ideally with an inverted six)… However, wish I’d bought one 5 years ago as the price seems to have increased considerably in the last few years!
 

Silvercat

Member
Messages
1,166
I just bought myself my first ‘decent’ watch. I realise it’s not premier league but I couldn’t advocate spending any more, and if it has it would have affected car options.. I have always been a bit paranoid about having one before as I always have to take it off when I am operating etc, and I have lost more watches than I can remember... but I thought F it after stalking a particular type for a Couple of years. Would love to hear any expert opinions on it - re if it will hold its value or if there is something better at the price point. I probably should have asked before I bought it- It hasn’t arrived yet however. It a Cartier Santos 100 (the 42mm chronograph version). Rose gold and stainless steel I believe with a brown alligator strap. Again I should have asked for opinions re: alligator vs crocodile as they were similar prices .
I hope it was from farmed Alligators or crocs. Why not just use good old fashioned cow hide?;)
 

highlander

Member
Messages
5,214
There are 5 CW watches in our household ... 3 mens and 2 women's but I havent bought one for nearly 10 years as I cant stand the new logos / branding.

To me the older branding was much classier.
I agree, rebranding rarely works to improve permanently but there are still a few of the current CWs that warrant a second glance, the new sapphire C60 being one of them IMO.
 

Hawk13

Member
Messages
1,471
I agree, rebranding rarely works to improve permanently but there are still a few of the current CWs that warrant a second glance, the new sapphire C60 being one of them IMO.

Yep - love the designs but can't get past the branding
 

Gooner

Member
Messages
443
My daily is a Jaeger LeCoultre Master Control in steel with stainless steel bracelet. The Voutilainen is looked at more than worn.
Thanks for the detailed answer, interesting to read. I agree it would be great to visit one of the great masters and specify your watch (and probably wait for a year while it was built).

My most regularly worn watch is a Master Geographic, it’s been all over the world with me.
 

hashluck

Member
Messages
1,515

Great watch the JLC Master Geo

You have given me a gratuitous photo opportunity but it also reminds me of the time we could jump in the car and drive to Europe :)

Here is me (or my car at the time at least) at the atelier in Geneva of one Laurent Ferrier (Google him he is a seriously cool guy, worked at Patek and and drove at Le Mans in 1979 coming third, the same year Paul Newman was second overall. He then started his own workshop which is more or less in the shadow of Patek). I visited in 2016 and specified my Laurent Ferrier Galet Traveller watch (basically a dual time) with cloissonne dial. Not to everyone's taste I am sure but I love it and it is extremely easy to use and read and even sorts out the date past midnight back and forwards when setting the dual time zone. The waiting list for a Patek 5131 World Time makes it a pointless exercise and to sit with the LF team (and have lunch of course) and have this specified and then made was great (though it was not an exclusive design, other than a little touch inside just for me, they do only manufacture around 100-150 watches per annum). EDIT: This is Laurent Ferrier in the pictures, not me :)

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Gooner

Member
Messages
443
Great watch the JLC Master Geo

You have given me a gratuitous photo opportunity but it also reminds me of the time we could jump in the car and drive to Europe :)

Super photos and another fantastic watch. A Cloisonne dial would be something very special, it looks very well done. I have heard of Laurent Ferrier but never seen any watches before.

Here is my more run of the mill Master Geographic. Still pretty special for me; like my Maserati I waited quite a few years between trying one and buying one.
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