Chopard

Nazgul
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Thoughts from a I guy got a SB3.....

Hi All!

I'm a new-bee to this website and am looking forward to digging in deeper.

Anyway, I just picked up a SB3 and was trying to do some research (after the fact) and came across these posts.  Many excellent comments, the one that really hit the nail on the head though was beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  Well this 'beholder' is only a modest collector, as I don't have the means to buy most of the things I'd like.  While I am certainly not an expert, it doesn't stop me from having my opinions.  So why did this watch wind up on my wrist?  I already have a regular MM 1999 with the the engine turned face in SS.  My wife and I were shopping for the holidays, and stopped in to the Chopard Botique to say hello to the salesman we had bought the MM from.  My wife noticed his SS GT XL Chrono and liked the size.  She suggested that I buy a new watch, and she'd take my MM1999......twist my arm.  The salesman started pulling things out of the case to let me play with.  He also had a SB3 in back that they had requested for a heavy hitter client.  He didn't like it, it was too big for his taste.  So here was this watch I'd never even heard of staring at me and it seemed to have "ME" written all over it.

What I like....

1.  Limited edition....if I spend that many $'s on a watch, I'd rather not see 5 or 6 others everyday or see one on my waiters wrist, like a Rolex Submariner or a Panerai (both of which I loved until they became so commonplace)

2. Limited editon I could afford......Wouldn't we all love to have some 1 of 10 Grande Complication monster that cost more than an Enzo Ferrari?

3. Dress up or dress down....I was looking at a very handsome LUC dress watch in SS, about the same price.  Frankly, my wife and I thought it looked silly on my wrist while I was wearing blue jeans and a polo shirt.  This watch is more versatile for me, so I'll get to enjoy it more.

4. Edgy without being over-the-top or obnoxious......I am sorry, I just don't get the Alain Silbersteins or Hublots.

5. Present without being loud...the watch gets noticed by watch people, but doesn't scream "Loot-at-me!!!" like a Two-Tone Yacthmaster with a blue face and diamond markers (Sorry if that's somebodies dream watch.  I am not saying it's a bad watch, just saying it isn't me)

6. I like motorsports, so a watch with a 'motorsport' theme will in general have some appeal to me.

What I don't like.....

1.  I would have liked a home-grown caliber, but I have to be realistic....limited edition and house caliber would have probably been out of my wallet's range.

2. Dress up the movement.  I was dissapointed in the amount of dress up that was done to this watch and the Monaco's too.  The movement in my MM1999 had many more embelishments, this surprised me a bit, but it wasn't a deal breaker.

Misc thoughts...

1.  The regular SS GT XL Chrono is a very attractive watch also.  I would even say it is a bit classier.  It is also something you won't see everyday.

2.  The Monaco and Jacky Ickx models are also very nice.

Finally.....

There are probably 1000 excellent watches I could have bought in the same price range.  The SB3 had the right mix for me.  Since I am not as rich as Bill Gates, anything I buy will result in some compromise.  This watch is not an exception.  But overall I am enjoying the heck out of seeing it on my wrist and since I understand they're nearly sold out and there are only a handfull in the States, I am really thrilled that I managed to stumble on it!

Too many watches to few dollars!!!!

Cheers!

Ken