SMS2
1011
What a great day, and on so many different levels.
Before addressing the watches, the company made the weekend most special.
Last weekend, after years of speaking quite frequently, Jim Rothbarth and I finally got to met. Jim and his family decided to spend the Thanksgiving weekend in Miami, my hometown. Between the watch browsing, an outstanding dinner, and of course the wonderful company........for those of you that know Jim, he's worth tolerating as his wife is absolutely delightful, and makes up for all his short comings 
On Friday, Jim and I spent the day visiting some wonderful watch boutiques. One boutique in particular afforded us two unexpected and significant experiences. First, was the most extensive Journe inventory I've had the pleasure to see at one time in one place, remember we're in Miami, not New York. Having enjoyed my RG Journe immensely over the last several years, and considering adding another, this could not have been a more welcome surprise.
Without mentioning them all, these are the some that inspired me the most. All of the 40 mm LE ruthenium dials were spectacular. The LE RDM Day Night, yes the very one that surprised everyone with its winning bid at the last Antiquum, was a most unexpected treat. Another was the 40 mm LE Ruthenium Chrono, while not my favorite of the Journes, still impressive.
The new 40 mm PT/WG Resonance with RG movement was breathtaking. While I've always been enamored with the 38 mm, I've had reservations how the wider bezel of the 40 mm might disturb what I felt was a watch that struck the perfect balance in every respect. Well, my fears were laid to rest the moment I put it on my wrist. Melting onto my wrist, just as my 38 mm RDM does, it and I were in complete harmony with the universe. If that were not enough, the RG movement was brilliant. I've always been of the opinion the Resonance's movement was perhaps one of the most unique and beautiful. The warm brilliance of the RG movement has allowed me to comfortably and forever remove "perhaps". An absolute must have rendition.
Lastly what I found unusually striking was a PT/YG/Calendrier. In the past I had not been a big fan of the YG dial, but of late have found it intriguing and aesthetically pleasing. It didn't take much for it to capture my heart. A bit less reserved and brighter than its counterparts, I can't seem to shake it.
I now seemed to be faced with a dilemma as to which I should pursue. The Pt Resonance, arguably his signature piece, which both heart and mind say this is the one, or the Pt/YG Calendrier, perhaps one of the last remaining of the now discontinued YG dials, which my heart seems incapable of dismissing. This is one of those times that frequently garner the advice to buy both, usually not an option. This time however, it just may be the only solution to avoid a broken spirit.
Oh, that second unexpected experience I mentioned, a RG Opus 5. We were allowed to handled it at for an extended period of time, winding, advancing the time, watching the movement perform its magic, and the cubes turn over. One of the most interesting features was the retrograde minute hand. While usual retrogrades would spring back with force, and retention would cause it to remain firmly in place after doing so. This on the other hand would gently drop down, bounce up and down a couple of times before coming to rest. A characteristic I found most appealing.
I would have gladly taken it home with me, unfortunately they had only the one. This would have meant Jim going home with an empty bag.......and I'm just not that kind of friend.
Kind regards,
SMS