Fine Watches

anything with the word phillipe patek in it

quote:

Originally posted by g-man:
anything with the word phillipe patek in it

Or Patek Philippe. Seriously though, I'm always wary of jewelry companies that decide to add a branded watch to their portfolio.
What style of watch is he looking for? One of the 1 lb. hunks of metal that are all the rage or a more slim and elegant style?
Personally, I'm an Omega man. It makes me feel like James Bond

I never really heard of tiffany's as a watch name btw, probably end up paying more for the overpriced rocks. Cartier would be in the same range and probably a better watch maker too.

I've seen a Jaeger-Le Coultre for 3k in hong kong but i believe it might have been uhh certified preowned.

The patek's start at like 15k so it was a joke (but it'll be my retirement watch some day)

I personally have an omega deville and a seamaster. Both of them steel. Mass produced, but they look nice and have a great feel =)

And of course, Rolex has a great marketing brand and everyone has heard of a Rolie

quote:

Originally posted by snipes:

Or Patek Philippe.

dyslexic mode when drunk =)

The most popular or well known choices frequently are not what the true aficionado would select. Watches, like anything, are quite a personal thing. Audemars Piguet (owned and loved), Blancpain, Chopard, Franck Mueller, IWC, Jaeger-Le Coultre, Patek Phillipe are all high quality names. Pieces in your brother's price range should include Breitling, Cartier, Ebel, Omega and Rolex.

I've owned a Tag-Heuer for years and still love it. Purchased about 14 years ago, the one time I've had an issue with it, T-H repaired and returned for a very minimal fee. I would not hesitate to buy another.

Snipes is correct, buy the manufacturer not the same watch rebranded with the Tiffany logo. And I also agree with g-man. If I was going to buy a new watch and spend a couple of grand, it would be on a Patek. I've dithered over the years on whether or not to buy one and finally decided not to. Years ago I started to collect vintage watches. There are pluses and minuses going the vintage watch route. Just be sure that he whatever he buys, he does it from a legitimate distributor and not through the gray market. I believe Tiffany sells Patek, although perhaps not at all locations.

How much do the Patek watches run? My impression is that they are over 10Gs. The style he is looking for is the slim variety.

My pricing is old. They use to start at $2,250 and go up from there. I don't know what the entry level is any more. It might be double. The less expensive model (if I remember correctly) looks like the Calatrava 5116.

http://www.patek.com/

Tiffany's is a jeweler, not a watchmaker. Same goes for Cartier. If he's looking for a slim, elegant watch try Jaquet Droz - it will definitely be a unique standout masterpiece and not something recognizable by the proletariat. If you're looking for something a little different but also not easily recognizable, go for an Ulysse Nardin. Take a look at IWC watches as well - perfect balance on all fronts; would be my pick in the price range. If you get a Breitling, Rolex, blah blah blah, well, that's about it - blah blah blah.

Buy Brand name only.

Private brands can be of good or marginal quality. Mostly over priced too.

quote:

Originally posted by tanglenet:
My pricing is old. They use to start at $2,250 and go up from there. I don't know what the entry level is any more. It might be double. The less expensive model (if I remember correctly) looks like the Calatrava 5116.

http://www.patek.com/

Believe the Calatrava line is all upwards of $12K or so at this point, maybe more like $15Kish retail.

Ouch. I knew my pricing was old. Do you know the entry level prices and which models?

quote:

Originally posted by tanglenet:
Ouch. I knew my pricing was old. Do you know the entry level prices and which models?

Calatrava and Aquanaut are as low as Patek goes IIRC - around $15Kish retail.

Well you can always go the auction route in the 5K range:

http://www.sothebys.com/app/li...jsp?lot_id=159549978

Or in the 2-3K range:

http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin...549&iSaleSectionNo=2

http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin...549&iSaleSectionNo=2

I didn't realize the retail prices had shot up so high.

I have an interest in watches that nearly matches my wine habit (read: problem). I own a number of manufacturers and can agree with the general advice you are receiving:

Go with a watch manufacturer, not a "label"
Tag is an excellent value - I own 3 - no issues with any of them
Rolex is not really a great timepiece (if that's important to you) -- more of a status symbol. Most are also clunky
Blancpain (big fan - only own 1, but love it) is great - you'll have a very difficult time at your price point
Ulysses Nardin = good suggestion! Not sure of pricing...
Armand Nicollet is nice - buy from a good dealer as a friend had dealer-service issues
Chopard, Corum (unique, not for everyone), Concord, IWC (low price-point for IWC),and Ebel are all fine

quote:

Originally posted by tanglenet:
Well you can always go the auction route in the 5K range:

http://www.sothebys.com/app/li...jsp?lot_id=159549978

what a fine looking watch.

Thanks for all the feedback so far! My brother wants to stay in the $3K range and was actually looking for a new one for his wife and their anniversary. I will have him look at all the suggestions, and I may even want to buy one for myself if the price is right.

My twin brother (w & a)and I have been smitten with the wine and watch bug. I agree with all the comments above.

I wear a Rolex that belonged to my father as my daily timepiece. I have a Tag for travelling and holidays, and a Audemars Piguet Star Wheel
for special occassions. Other than the Tag, the others are not in your brothers price range unless you buy from a reputable jeweller second hand.

I find watches like art. It's hard to buy for someone else. It's a very personal purchase and I think you have to try them on before making any commitment.

I'm interested to know what he settles on. I'm sure it will mean something special in any event.

quote:

Originally posted by DoktaP:
My twin brother (w & a)and I have been smitten with the wine and watch bug. I agree with all the comments above.

I wear a Rolex that belonged to my father as my daily timepiece. I have a Tag for travelling and holidays, and a Audemars Piguet Star Wheel
for special occassions. Other than the Tag, the others are not in your brothers price range unless you buy from a reputable jeweller second hand.

I find watches like art. It's hard to buy for someone else. It's a very personal purchase and I think you have to try them on before making any commitment.

I'm interested to know what he settles on. I'm sure it will mean something special in any event.

As your twin, it seems to me it is now MY time to have Dad's watch for the next 20+ years.

I will forward Moms Casio to you in exchange.

quote:

I will forward Moms Casio to you in exchange

Is it the one with the plastic wrist band? Mom always liked you best!

quote:

Originally posted by DoktaP:
...and a Audemars Piguet Star Wheel
for special occasions.

Audemars is often referred to as a 'watchmaker's watch'. Very finely made but often unappreciated by people other than those who 'know' watches.

I concur.
Here is the Star Wheel
http://www.minutemachines.com/.../StarwheelRose01.jpg

quote:

Originally posted by KSC02:

quote:

Originally posted by DoktaP:
...and a Audemars Piguet Star Wheel
for special occasions.

Audemars is often referred to as a 'watchmaker's watch'. Very finely made but often unappreciated by people other than those who 'know' watches.

which means they're WAAAY out of the 3k price range =)

quote:

Originally posted by DoktaP:
Here is the Star Wheel
http://www.minutemachines.com/.../StarwheelRose01.jpg

A gorgeous watch, Dok!
You have great reason to be proud of it.
Slim, sophisticated and truly Audemars Piguet in style. NICE!

quote:

Originally posted by KSC02:
Pieces in your brother's price range should include Breitling, Cartier, Ebel, Omega and Rolex.

I don't think you can even get the cheapest Rolex close to $3k...at least not in Toronto, Canada...

quote:

Originally posted by DoktaP:
I concur.
Here is the Star Wheel
http://www.minutemachines.com/.../StarwheelRose01.jpg

That's a beautiful watch...

quote:

Originally posted by KSC02:
The most popular or well known choices frequently are not what the true aficionado would select. Watches, like anything, are quite a personal thing. Audemars Piguet (owned and loved), Blancpain, Chopard, Franck Mueller, IWC, Jaeger-Le Coultre, Patek Phillipe are all high quality names.

Breguet


There is only one problem with them.

I will have one incredible cellar and a seriously fast German or Italian car before I ever own one. (To be fair, the type XX line does start around 6k, and the basic gold watch is about 12k but really... where is the fun in those? )

My boss just bought this one. I think he's getting rather uncomfortable with me staring at his wrist all the time.

http://www.jaeger-lecoultre.co...ere/gyrotourbillon-1

quote:

Originally posted by CSM:
My boss just bought this one. I think he's getting rather uncomfortable with me staring at his wrist all the time.

http://www.jaeger-lecoultre.co...ere/gyrotourbillon-1

He's probably wondering if you'd be willing to cut off his arm for his watch! Wow - that's a gorgeous timepiece!

quote:

Originally posted by CSM:
My boss just bought this one. I think he's getting rather uncomfortable with me staring at his wrist all the time.

http://www.jaeger-lecoultre.co...ere/gyrotourbillon-1

I'd be staring too! Wow- what a gorgeous timepiece. He's probably wondering just how much of his arm you might chop off to get your hands on that piece

quote:

Originally posted by CSM:
My boss just bought this one. I think he's getting rather uncomfortable with me staring at his wrist all the time.

http://www.jaeger-lecoultre.co...ere/gyrotourbillon-1

So he spent over $300K on a watch? Incomprehensible to me.

quote:

Originally posted by vinole:

quote:

Originally posted by CSM:
My boss just bought this one. I think he's getting rather uncomfortable with me staring at his wrist all the time.

http://www.jaeger-lecoultre.co...ere/gyrotourbillon-1

So he spent over $300K on a watch? Incomprehensible to me.

Me too, though when I saw it, I kind of thought it might be worth it.

Anyone have an opinion on Parmigiani Fleurier watches?

There was a pretty good spread on watches in Esquire a few months ago. It was on what you should look for in style as well as price range in an everyday watch, a second watch, a weekend watch and a third watch.

Over breakfast today, I was reading an ad for the Rolex Daytona which can 'perfectly measure elapsed time and calculate average speed... [it] sets the standard for those with a passion for driving and elegance.' Who cares? - I nearly had my license suspended last year (and besides my car has been telling me that for years). Why not just get to the point and tell me how powerful it will make me feel as I push that accelerator down harder!

Yesterday, there was the ad for Patek Philippe which informed me that I wouldn't actually be allowed to own it. It said something about being just a caretaker or something who would look after it for the next generation. Made me feel kind of powerless.

None of these watches seem to do what I really want - which is tell me what time it is in a straightforward, uncluttered, and direct manner. Even the Timex and Saico watches nowadays seem hopelessly cluttered with dials and irrelevant stuff.

I may have to carry on with my humble 35 year old Rolex Tudor for a bit longer. It doesn't tell time very accurately, but based on the ads I am reading lately, telling time is not what watches do anyway.

OK, time to get in the car and get going now.

quote:

Originally posted by on the wine:
I may have to carry on with my humble 35 year old Rolex Tudor for a bit longer. It doesn't tell time very accurately, but based on the ads I am reading lately, telling time is not what watches do anyway.

Ha! I received one myself as a gift 10 years ago. I agree with you that it doesn't tell time accurately, but I do love the classic look.

I wear a Casio! It is Shock Resistant, Water Resistant, Solar Recharged with No Battery Replacement Required, Atomic Time reset every 24 hours, Accurate to < tenth of a second daily.

However, recently I've been considering just using my cell phone.

quote:

Originally posted by latour67:


However, recently I've been considering just using my cell phone.

Latour, I have never considered that before. (or a Casio either ) Are you thinking an alligator band or just simple leather?

quote:

Originally posted by latour67:
I wear a Casio! It is Shock Resistant, Water Resistant, Solar Recharged with No Battery Replacement Required, Atomic Time reset every 24 hours, Accurate to < tenth of a second daily.

However, recently I've been considering just using my cell phone.

Same here. I alternate between my casio and my cell. I do plan to get an AP or PP (or both) at some point in my life.