Horological Meandering

HI, 

The iwc ingenieur has the same design but is way to big, looking for something between 38-42 mm, and not to thick, as I have rather small wrists. 

That's my suggestion, esp since you are still in university. Will fit your price range, and within the seemingly preferred sports watch category.

Best,

Horo

I really don't like the look of rolex and neither do I like their "reputation". i'm really looking for that distinctive look of that ap and vc, with the wristband connecting without lugs next to it. Don't know if I'm saying that right.
And any brand is good, really liking the engineering of the german watches (nomos, glashutte original and lang sohne) and also the french (impressive movement by pequignet), so don't be affraid to advise something exotic. Really like understated brands.

Though there is the obvious problem of both price and size....

A better candidate might be the Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer. In the price range you need, with the style lugs I understand you like, though the movement is a modified ETA 2892. I'm a fan.


Bill

you're really getting what I had in mind. Like the piaget styling, but 45 mm is just too large. Been thinking of the ulysse nardin, but looks odd on pictures and another model what I was interested in was the ulysse nardin dual time 42 mm, unreal how beautiful it was (wasn't really my style, but still) but the only real time pictures I found were from people who sold it and never wore it, what worried me... Any other suggestions? The piaget is maybe a bit too modern, and the ulysse too classic. Any other watches in mind? It's that integrated wrist band that I really like.

. . . you're receptive to Glashütte Original !  The G O that would fit the design category you're looking for and close to the price range your parents feel comfortable with is the PanoMatic Date . . .

[photos courtesy Gerd and Martina P]

. . . and a little down the price and size scale, an Omega DeVille Prestige . . .

. . . would neatly fit both your wrist and their budget.  The upscale versions of the DeVille Prestige, the Hour Vision (depicted below) . . .

. . . and Co-axial Chronometer (not pictured) are both larger and more expensive than the Prestige, but could be squeezed into the budget, and are equipped with the latest generation movement from Omega, the cal 8500.

Grand Seiko could also be under consideration, such as this titanium SBGR 059 . . .

. . . and, if you're willing to search a bit, you might find a recently discontinued Glashütte Original Karree PanoDate . . .

 

. . . that offers, in my humble opinion, an exceptionally well executed movement, especially at the asking price.

Cordially,

Art

Thanks a lot for the effort Art!

Omega de ville hour vision BLUE has been also one of my options, but maybe a bit too old for me no? And in my eyes omega is inferior to jaeger lecoultre, which I would consider with the same styling. (Hometime & memovox are true pieces of art). Same story for the zenith maybe, I know it's highly regarded in the watch-world, but just doesn't look that understated or distinctive, certainly not at this price. But what I was really looking for is that integrated band, with steel case. Does your watch-knowledge stretch this far I've been looking for a month and really didn't find anything. But eg I had never seen the piaget apollo. Collection of watches is sometimes just too big to start looking. So maybe you know from experience some watches that I've might be missing...

. . . aspect of the RO and the Overseas designs were what you were after!  Yes, there is one integrated design that fits within your budget . . .

. . . the Omega Constellation Double Eagle chronograph.  Unfortunately, I only have this photo of one equipped with a rubber strap, but it is available with an integrated steel bracelet.

There's a limited edition titanium model from 2008, the Mission Hills chrono . . .

 

[photo courtesy Tony A]

. . . that's still listed on Omega's website, so it should still be available.  I was considering this for myself at one time.  It's probably the most comfortable watch I've ever tried on, and I'm taken with its stealthy appearance.  Not everyone's cuppa tea, but one to consider.

Like it very much, looks very big on the picture but only 41 mm, definately interesting! Is there a constellation with leather strap? Maybe a special edition (coming)?

. . . visiting an Omega dealer to check out the integrated steel bracelet models - they're as close to fitting your criteria as I can come up with.

Cordially,

Art

Fit the bill.

Best,

Nicolas.
This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-08-25 12:10:12

2000-6000 euros, in-house movement, a bit all-around...



in its SS version:





in its SS version:

Fx

is that nobody seems to mention jaeger lecoultre, the king of in house movements no?
Don't got any watches in mind with integrated wristband into the case like the audemars and the vacheron? In the end, in house movement is maybe not that important, it just would be a (very) nice touch. Just really looking for those design elements of the ap and vc...

I think this is an easy case.

More and more I'm realising that's the only option... ap probably got a lot of design patterns on the royal oak, why it's probably so hard to find. It's just that the overseas and the iwc ingenieur look so similar, it gave me hope to find a similar looking watch in a lower price range. Is it possible that I read somewhere that the iwc is designed by the same guy as the royal oak? Can't really find the article nor name of the designer(s). You know anything about this? maybe he has designed for other brands too that I've been missing....

Seen a service of breitling and was really impressed, so maybe I'll go for it. It's just that I want to wear this watch for the rest of my life, so second handed just doesn't feel right...

Because even if you buy a good watch, you will still think about the RO or about the Overseas...

Listen to your heart  and if your budget is bit too tight, wait and keep your money.

Fx

on how vacheron constantin compares with audemars piguet in terms of quality and service, with buying a second hand in mind?

Royal Oak was designed by the late Gerald Genta. He passed away some two weeks ago. The proceeding model of Overseas was also designed by him like the IWC's Ingenieur. Furthermore, he designed PP Nautilus.

And let there be the coincidence that I only love one watch of patek...the nautilus! This guy must be my personal watch hero, as I never heard that he designed the only 4 watches that I really like after watching literally thousends of watches... Sad to hear he passed away, a true loss in my eyes!

Thanks a lot for the info!

. . . the current Omega Constellation collection . . . 

Give a search and see what you think. It compares very favorably with both the AP and VC, with a terrific in-house movement, great finishing, and legitimate sports abilities.

Actually, The watch could very well sit perfectly on your wrist.

The nice thing is that the two models I am proposing you fit all your requirements, including leather band, all within your price range.

The watch looks young and can age very well with you because the dial is white (classical) and in addition, you do not have to be afraid to use it in any of your daily activities.

 

Regards,

Yves

We're definately getting there, a big like to the integrated band, very very nice! Maybe a lack of elegance? Not really understated design and you can probably beat someone to death with that watch Anything like it, but less bulky? Never heard of the brand, so maybe another exotic brand that comes to mind? We're getting close! Appreciate it a lot!

the design begins to grow on me. Just looked on youtube at the "talking hands on" from the prodigal guide, and I'm absolutely amazed by this piece of art. Thanks again for the tip!

I think that you will find that the timepiece fits well enough like a 42 to 44mm range and therefore will sit well on your wrist.

If you were choosing their ultra light titanium model with the skeleton case and the dial, I would  agree: this is bold. But  I think that the Timer 3, with its stunning (white) dial, gets closer to a classic look, while keeping a contemporary shape (AP shape).

I think that you could even ask them to produce the watch with a less shiny case or a more matte finish which would tone down its presence a bit.

Concerning AP, please allow me this personal note:

When the late Gerald Genta created the Royal Oak, he not only created a new watch, he basically created a new case platform that would serve to inspire other brands and other designers, including himself. I often read people criticizing such and such company for "copying AP". They are not copying AP. They are using a contemporary design created by a genious that happened to have produced it for AP. It could have been produced for Jaeger LeCoultre or Zenith instead of AP. This shape is there to stay and does not only belong to AP. If anything, it belongs to its creator and this is how we should remember the work of Mr. Genta.

Keep us posted.

Regards,

Yves

This message has been edited by Yves007 on 2011-08-25 21:29:45

When I got my 3 Timer I felt the watch was a bit too "flashy" and had a watchmaker change all the polished surfaces to brushed, after which the watch has a much more elegant and understated look to it. I also agree that the watch does not wear very big, in fact my wife occasionaly borrows it and she has a very small wrist.

it is a classic stunner which would serve you very well for the rest of your life, I've recently got one myself.  I suggest you speak with your parents, speak with your local AD about potential discount and good luck.

Let us know what happens

Andy.

I just found the baume & mercier riviera, really like the styling. Found it on a price list of 2010, but can't seem to find it on the official site anymore. Somebody knows something about this?