sham1
9619
Torn between two roses............ (ok maybe three :-)
I must confess I was not sure whether to include this post on the Patek forum or the independents but I would like to give both watches a fair chance so I opted for the independents. At the SIHH this year, I had the chance to meet the passionate Gronefeld brothers and will get another chance to meet Bart and Tim in Basel. They gave me their lovely book and this time I shall bring it with me to get their autograph. I was in awe of the Remontoire when I saw it. Some may say the movement is somewhat fussy but I love it and it looks even better than most manual chronographs. I liked the Remontoire enough to actually consider parting with my prized Aston Martin Vantage and I do love the Vantage but something would have to give (and I still love all parts of my anatomy!!)
Then a month ago I came across an advertisement on chrono 24 of an Italian dealer selling a Patek Philippe 130 from 1940. It has its original box, extract from the archives and the watch has been serviced at Patek. I have a notoriously small wrist so 33mm is not an issue. In fact 33m might be a better fit than a 39mm Remontoire but from the photos, you may think not.
So should I pull the trigger on one these (am I hearing some of you actually say 'keep the Aston!!'??!!
), which one should it be? yes, I know, there is no right answer here and they both make compelling purchases but I can only buy one. Okay, to make it interesting, allow me to add keeping the Aston as the third option!
Best wishes,
Sham
Torn between two roses............ (ok maybe three :-)
I must confess I was not sure whether to include this post on the Patek forum or the independents but I would like to give both watches a fair chance so I opted for the independents. At the SIHH this year, I had the chance to meet the passionate Gronefeld...
Keep the Aston!
Is my knee jerk reaction: shouldn't one keep a very nice car over a very nice watch?
For normal people, yes :-)
But I am quite weird as once all the watches I have placed on order arrive in 3 years time, I think at least three of them will be worth a lot more than any car I have. Cars are great but they generally depreciate and cost quite a bit to maintain. Watches...
Hi Cint!
I think should I decide on the Remontoire, I would opt for one of the following dials. I know, I know I am quite conventional and there is a premium to pay for the Voutilainen dial on the rose gold watch. What do you think? ...
If the two, I favor the standard grey (microbille?) dial.
would anyone be adventurous enough to order the 'Dutch' dial? (black, orange minute track, orange print.)
I agree Clint!
I would order the watch with the standard grey dial too. There must be enough adventurous (and colour blind!! ) collectors out there because I have noticed that Kari has been coming up with some really weird colour combinations. Yes I agree, beauty is in ...
hahaha! If one hope to maintain the dollar value of the watch
perhaps a silver dial is the way to go, but I hope that's not the ONLY reason... Personally, money no object, I confess to liking the black dial / orange print on the dial, even though I'm not at all Dutch. And the strap could easily be changed in the fut...
Clint.........
You are a brave man to wear a watch with a black and orange dial! But kudos to you for wanting one. I guess I like watches to look as discreet as possible rather than being conversation (or laughter) pieces
It is impossible!
to want to sell any Aston I think as the car evokes such emotion inside its owner. I will however try on the Remontoire again in 9 days time at Basel and conclude how well it suits my wrist. Yes, it is without doubt a lovely watch but for example,I would ...
I will just make one point......or maybe 3 or 4
.......I have small wrists. Very small wrists. I am very conscious of wearing watches that are just simply too big for me. Sometimes, I push the envelope if I TRULY love a watch. You lay out the case for the three options using very few words. However, so...
Thank you!
for your candour. Yes the Aston is prized and it makes me feel good just looking at it and knowing that I own it. Not the most practical of cars but then again, I am not known for my practicality! The photo of the Remontoire on my wrist is a reflection th...
Size is not a problem. 33 mm is easily wearable on a normal wrist.
For example, on my 17 cm wrist, I can wear watches from 32 to 47 mm, without any problem, AND with great pleasure. It is all about the watch. If it pleases you a lot, you will wear it with great pleasure. Best, Nicolas
Thanks Nicholas!
Your wrist is exceedingly versatile and you are a watchmaker's dream com true!!
No prob
Sell your house. Buy both watches and live in the Aston!! Job done! (LoL). John.
Unfortunately
the flat is already in the market so that I can pay for the RW Smith which will arrive in 2020 But I like the way you think
Be careful with this italian dealer
Bought him a Seadweller a few years ago, balance wheel was damaged. I contacted the dealer, didn't offer a refund...
Seriously???!!
That is bad but also very useful to know. I would fly to Bologna to view the watch before purchasing it of course. May I ask how long after you purchased the Sea Dweller did you inform the dealer of the damaged balance wheel? They do say they offer a 14 d...
It ain't much
if it ain\'t Dutch ;-) Yes I\'m biased and I would say go for the Remontoire. Have you ever seen a movement like that?!? And about enjoying a good midlife crisis....sell the Aston and get a Lotus on the side. Or a cute au-pair perhaps?
I agree!
that the Remontoire has a movement like no other. I am surprised being biased that you did not suggest though that I sell the Aston and buy a Spyker! I have had a Lotus Elise before but it just did not rock my boat. As for your last suggestion, as I am no...
The Remontoire is a wonderful piece of art on or off your wrist.
It has a great look and feel and the strap is amazing. I highly recommend the Remontoire. When you see it you know it was built by perfectionists. Good luck.
Thank Jerry!
I think the technology in the Remontoire is quite something and I am getting swayed towards that direction.
My two passions are vintage and independents, I also have to admit that I'm not a
car guy so getting rid of the Aston, granted i had one , wouldn't be an issue. A good condition 130 especially in RG isn't easy to come by and if this one ticks all the boxes then I would get it over the Remontoire, the latter is here for still some time ...
Thank you Alex!
I would love a rose gold 130 but I think the price would be quite unaffordable. A yellow gold 130 is comparable in price to a Remontoire. I am personally a little apprehensive about buying a vintage watch as I am concerned it would require more maintenanc...
I like this site...
I'm fairly new here and today within a matter of minutes of logging on I've seen pictures of two lovely women (check out Fernando's post for the other). I might need to spend more time here To answer your question...keep the car for now until there's a wa...
Timing is everything!
And you have obviously joined this site at the right time!! Normally there are only photos of lovely watches and their not so lovely owners! My special one has three sisters but I am sure she was adopted because they look pretty different so better luck w...
Haha!! Yes, timing is everything!
You honestly can't go wrong with any of the three options you have. I completely understand "Pride of ownership"...I would be lying if I said that didn't play a major role in my decisions as well. Best of luck Sham1...I'll keep you posted on my "au-pair" ...
Change of plans, keep the car...
as you obviously love it. Skip the PP, nice watch is everything is legit, and go for a VC, fx a ref. 4270 for less than the fifth of the price. I do not like the independant that you show. Trying too hard to impress the gallery, and certainly doing a good...
Thank you for the suggestion!
but unfortunately I will only have six hours in Basel so cars will have to be another time. I am a bit of a Patek loyalist if there is such a term unless the watch is from Dufour, Voutilainen, Smith, Daniels and perhaps Grönefeld. I adore these particular...
Hi Sham! So here's my (very subjective) advice: Keep the Aston, wait for the right 130, unseal the 5131R and wear it. Here's why:
The Aston - You love it. You derive great pleasure just looking at it. The greatest depreciation has already taken place. The 130 - A 130, unless it comes with an exotic dial is a relative bargain. It is (according to you) the right size for your wrist. I...
Thank you Patekova!
You are the ultimate collector of world timers but I do appreciate your sensible suggestion! I don't think the 5131R can be quite compared fairly to a Grönefeld as the 5131R would win every time. I am more likely to pit it against my incoming (2020) RW Sm...
Sham, I have no opinion on Gronefeld vs RW Smith, simply because I know nothing about them. Regarding 5-10 seconds deviance, for me
I would gladly accept that in pretty much ANY watch, especially if 5-10 seconds fast, although for a brand new Rolex I would hope for within + or - 2 seconds. With Patek I am more interested in the artistry than the accuracy. Best, patekova
Fair enough!
I expect any new Patek to be as accurate as a Rolex (Patek +2 -3, Rolex +2 -2) and that is the beauty of Patek - one does not have to compromise accuracy for artistry. If I may politely suggest, do take a look at RW Smith. It is watchmaking at a different...
The accuracy results of the 130
I have just heard from the Italian dealer who has been monitoring the Patek 130 and apparently it is about 5 to 10 seconds out a day. Is this acceptable for a 1940 watch? That may sound like a dumb question but I once had a IWC from 1947 that was actually...
96 from '45 reference point
I'm not certain how to judge a '47 130, but in case it's a useful reference point, my 96 from '45 was clocked at 3 seconds slow per day, and that was considered quite good. For a 130, 5 second +/- strikes me as entirely reasonable. Also, my suggestion is ...
Thanks Matt!
I really wish it would be financially viable to keep the Aston and acquire the 130 but as retirement beckons in 3 months time, it will have to be one or the other. And I have rewarded myself with enough retirement gifts - RW Smith Series 2 and Patek 5940G...
Gronefeld
What a great dilemma you have! For me, I'd take the Gronefeld and part with the Aston. I'm not a car guy and would be totally happy with a Golf R or something like that in its place. I met Tim and Bart at Basel last year and was fully convinced by this wa...
Thank you Brandon!
I purposely posted this under the independents forum to give the Grönefeld an advantage but until now most of the replies were partial to the Patek 130 and Aston. Yes a Golf R would be the practical option and to own a watch by Bart and Tim would be a pri...
As for Langes :-)
I have had quite a few over the last few years but I cannot quite put my finger on it put they just did not provide that feel good factor (Sorry Lange fans). Either the watch was too heavy (1815 chrono), took too many turns to wind (150 plus in the 1815 u...
Quick update!
I have decided to sell the Aston in view of two important developments - firstly, too many nice watches introduced by Patek at Basel and secondly, too many nice watches introduced by Patek at Basel!!
130 and AM
I have a Vantage as well, in Meteroite, in "launch spec", everything very plain as it were when the model came out. Yours even has the sports pack and the timeless and desirable bright silver paint. How on earth are you going to find another one? Keep.
Thanks Tony!
Since posting this tread, I have had second and third and even fourth thoughts on selling the Aston. Basically, I have such an affinity to the car that I can't seem to let it go. You are most observant and your points are very true. I was looking for one ...
Great choice .
How cool would it be to drive arround in a Aston with a Remontoire on the wrist . As a Big car guy and even bigger indie watch guy this would be a dream come true . These two are both pieces of art imo . Hope to see some nice pics soon
Thank you!!!
In all honesty, it would be great driving the Aston with even a Casio on the wrist!! But I get your point. I need to sell my 5131R first to finance the purchase of the Remontoire. Bart and Tim are making only 25 steel ones and I believe 12 have been sold ...
Excelent choice about the remontoire .
If i ever have a choice to purchase such a watch i would like to go for the rose gold with salmon dail i think . But thats still a dream watch for me cant wait to see a pic from yours when you have it . Hope for you it will be soon .
I cannot imagine
a rose gold case with a salmon dial because normally salmon dials are on steel , white gold or platinum cases due to the contrast. But I am pretty conservative and not the most creative person so you might be starting a new trend there!
I understand your point
I have a DeBethune with a titanium case and a Salmon dail ,pefect combo imo . But to do it a bit different if i had the chance with a Gronefeld i would go for a Rose gold case a Salmon dail .( See pic ) Your combo will be a stunner to so i cant wait to se...
Very nice actually I must confess!
I guess a stainless steel case with a silver dial will look like the watch below but I really do like the strap above which has a quality vintage look! ...
You couldn't have gone wrong with either of your
Choices which combo Rementoire will you be getting?
Thanks Alex
I will go for the steel Remontoire with the plain silver dial as shown above. The rose gold is nice but I am buying the watch more for the outstanding movement than the metal. Besides, a limited edition of 25 pieces will make it more rare than the 163 pie...
Grönefeld over Patek
I wouldn't hesitate for 1 second: get the Remontoire and keep the Aston The Remontoire has a story and 3 generations legacy behind it plus when you buy it you are a very special person: 1 out of 188 in the entire world wearing a watch that had won SIHH aw...
Thank you for your feedback!
I have decided to keep the Aston and give up the idea of the Patek 130 as I think I would be happier with a new watch and I am quite fussy when i comes to accuracy and reliability. The Grönefeld is still being considered although I have since acquired thi...
Thanks for the update Sham...
What a pity you can't make it for the tour I talked to you about... (unless you changed your mind...). Keep the Aston was probably the right choice I believe after reading again the whole thread from A to Z... As for the watch it was only nice options to ...
You are most welcome Mike!
And thank you for the advice on the Grönefeld. I believe Bart and Tim have now sold more than half of the 25 stainless steel models so time is running out and I would like one if at all possible. In my tiny collection, I can see the Remontoire being a kee...