Horological Meandering

Hello to all,

I am new to this community and wanted to introduce myself.  I love watches but, alas, own none of the fantastic timepieces that are featured on this site...yet!

For my 50th birthday, my wife would like to get me a wristwatch of the type I see here...thus my inquiry:

I am a huge fan of modern chronometers and would like to solicit opinions as to the features/functions/brands to consider.

I know that what I am asking is akin to picking which of your children is your favorite but I expect this to be a "lifetime" purchase and don't want to make a mistake that I will regret later.

Thank you in advance for any advice you can give to a neophyte!

Glenn

It all depends on your budget, my friend.

Less than 6 000 USD?

Try Ulysse Nardin and their Marine Chronometer, OR a Rolex ( they are almost ALL chronometers, by the way ).

Omega, maybe? But I know too little to tell you.

More than 6 000? There are some great names: Lange ( Richard Lange ), G.O ( Their Chronometer is to die for ), Vacheron Constantin, with the Chronometre Royal are the three names which immedaitely come to my mind.

In the Vintage, you have some great treasures which are not unaffordable, too: Omega, with the Constellation, JLC ( Geomatic, Geohpysic ), Rolex ( again ), Ulysse Nardin, Girard Perregaux, Vacheron Constantin, and so on...

Gold, Stainless Steel?

Small, big?

Looking forward to reading you,

Best,

Nicolas.

I think you will find many sources of information here to help with your pursuit of a new chronometer.  There really is a wide price range available in this category.  The case metal and movement can really have an impact.

My favorite is Glashutte's Senator Chronometer.  It possesses many fine attributes and is a wonderfully executed timepiece.  Ulysse Nardin also has a variety of choices to look at.  Other brands as well.

If you can add a few more details about what appeals to you we might be able to steer you a bit more.  But I encourage you to visit the local ADs / boutiques and try some pieces on.  Please continue to post any questions, and feel free to PM me as I am Colorado based as well.
This message has been edited by MichaelC on 2011-11-03 09:10:04

. . . Glashütte Original Senator Chronometer . . . 

. . . and would add the Montblanc Villeret Retour-à-Zéro . . . 

. . . to the fairly short list of modern top-tier chronometers.

Thank you for your prompt replies!!  I knew that I had found the right community to post my inquiry!!

Let me give you some more parameters to work with:

First, let's talk price...something under 15,000USD.

Second, size.  I am quite taken with the larger sizes but there IS a limit.  As I said, this is going to be a "lifetime" purchase so I should probably stick with a classic size.

Third, face color.  Classic is better...black/grey/white are preferrable but blue is an option that I might consider.  I DON'T like MOP in this style watch.

Fourth, case.  I'm not a fan of gold colo(u)red watches, although some gold accents are probably OK.  I'm a bigger fan of steel, white gold, or titanium.

Fifth, bracelet.  I would prefer a bracelet constructed of the same material as the case vs a leather strap.  

Sixth, Accoutrements.  No jewelry...the watch should be jewlry enough! 

 

Seventh, Complication.  I am almost certainly locked in to a chronograph (hence my previous comment on MOP).  Day/Date is optional.  A case that allows viewing of the mechanical components is also optional.

. . . between chronometer and chronograph, Glenn.  There are far more chronographs to choose from, even given the additional functions listed.

I might have an interesting candidate to share later in the day ;-) . . .

Give it up, Art.

Cheers,
pplater.

. . . to take photos of the limited edition Zenith annual calendar . . . 

zenith.watchprosite.com  This message has been edited by Dr No on 2011-11-04 00:35:29

Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone???

;-)

Lovely watch though.

 

Cheers,

pplater.

. . . yes, that's precisely what Bell had in mind when he invented the telephone - saving the scatter-brained from needless efforts. 

Silly me, I took it for granted the watch would be available as the press release was posted several days ago . . .

Bell was the first to patent a long distance speaking device, hence his fame and his family fortune.

As to the first inventor of said device, well...........

 

MTF

My learned colleague, Dr No, is correct.  There is a difference between a chronograph (measured time) and chronometer (time measure).

What about combining both and having the best of both?

A fly-back chronograph chronometer....Chopard LUC Chrono One....a classic design that lasts a 'lifetime'.  Some watches would look silly on a 65 yr-old wrist when they looked 'cool' decades earlier!

 

Chopard produce SS, WG and Pt variants. The SS versions come close to the USD 15k limit.

Regards,

MTF

I knew it!  This would be quite nice in the long run.

Ken

Even is slightly reminiscent of the Legendary Datorgraph at first glance.  I considered this piece myself.

I love it although it's too large for my wrist. :-(

nt

nice to meet you. At that price point the chronograph I find nicest is the JLC Master Chronograph which should satisfy your size/dial/metal requirements and has a good movement to boot.

 

Best

Andreas

So what do we have in stock...

Hmmm, less than 15 000 USD...

The problem is that you wanrt a bracelet...

I'd say Rolex Daytona, which is an iconic Chrono. A " Zenith movement " would have a more sober dial.

I woiuld not forget a certain Breguet Type XX, which is avaliable in stainless steel and in titanium, with the matching bracelet ( it also comes with a black dial, but the verson shown on the picture below has a sapphire case back, not the others )



A JLC Master Chronograph, black or silver dial, see through case back, but no bracelet.

An AP Royal Oak Chrono, which you may find on the 2d Market for a bit less than your maximum budget.

An Omega Speedmaster.

A white gold Ulysee Nardin Chronomonopusher, which is a 37 mm pure jewel in white gold, but you will have to hunt it as it has been discontinued for years.

If you consider Vintages, there is a wide choice of superb chronos, such as the Longines 13 ZN / 30 CH, Breguet Type XX, Lemania, Minervas, Mathey Tissot, Omega, and so on...

Best,

Nicolas.

Blancpain Léman Flyback Grande Date.




This message has been edited by Brava on 2011-11-04 12:14:37

Welcome, Glenn!

Omega comes to mind with their co-axial escapement that is chronometer-rated.  Some of their 'older' models have chronometer-rated movements based on the ETA 2892-A2 and the Valjoux 7750 (as do many other Swiss watch manufactures, as you may have or will discover).

All depends on what your 'watch budget' is like and price, etc.  A 'tip': check out watches at your local favorite AD (authorized dealer), and do some surfing on the net of the different watch brands.  Google or Amazon lists different watch selling sites, sometimes called 'grey market', which I take with a grain (or block) of salt, however, they're good at getting ideas on what's out there, and relative prices.  For example, simply google "Swiss chronometers" and plenty of results will appear.  Also consider other manufactures, such as German, British and Japanese (Seiko, for example).

As always, caveat emptor, let the buyer beware.  And you have some very, very knowledgeable folks here on the Purists' website.  Happy hunting!    ^_^

... if you want a Chronograph which is also COSC certified Chronometer.  Maybe Chopard LUC has one (the newest Jacky Ickx?).  Not sure.  I thought of Grand Seiko because GS is made under the stricter standard than COSC, but Chronograph Grand Seiko are all Spring Drive which may not be your liking, although much lower than your budget.

You may want to give up "Chronometer" part in your quest and broaden the horizon?

Good hunting!

Ken

I own a Chronoswiss Chronometer Chronograph (although I don't know if they still make it).

There is also (gasp!) the Rolex Daytona, available well within the specified price range and very much of a chronometer.

I would recommend that anyone interested in a chronograph look at the MIH watch. It's not a certified chronometer but I have little doubt it would qualify for certification. It is also an exceptionally well-priced and ingenious annual calendar.

.. those particular brands you mentioned are what I know next to nothing   You learn something new everyday.

Thanks.

Ken

To the extent that a novice may give advice to a neophyte, it would be this: "Increase the budget: you've earned it!"

In all seriousness, this is a very big occasion and a very significant purchase. It's not unreasonable, is it, to allow yourself (say) a grand for each year of the fifty? You're clearly no fool; you clearly have an interest in watches; you obviously have firm ideas about what you want and like. The 'spend' is in good hands.

Otherwise, the advice you have been offered by others here is good advice. You may wish also to have a glance at the Independents; it's a personal vice, but there is something somehow apt in having a limited or bespoke piece as the mark of a significant occasion.

Much more importantly: thank you for gracing the forum, and welcome. Hopefully we will see a lot more of your thoughtful contribution.

 

Cheers,

pplater.

Hello again all,

I have to say, I now know that I have chosen the right place to post my inquiry!  Your suggestions will provide me with a fair few nights of surfing the web to check out all of the fine timepieces!!

I was already considering Omega, JLC, and Rolex so I am glad that these names have come up again from independent sources.

I must apologize for my original post referencing chronometers...don't know why I typed that instead of chronographs...brain not engaged apparently.

A special note to pplater:  Thanks for your vote of confidence that the 'spend is in good hands'.  I don't know that my wife would agree with you on that count.  I have been officially banned from unsupervised visitations to car dealerships...I bought a Porsche once without talking to her about it first...decidedly not good!

Also a question:  Should I post followup questions about specific watches on the brand-specific forums or as a followup to this thread?

 

Thanks to all who have provided input so far...keep the suggestions coming!

Please ask in the dedicated forum.

If you want to discuss several watches from several brands housed here or not, please do it in the same place, on HoMe, like you did with this current post.

It would be better, in my opinion, to create a whole new thread.

Best,

Nicolas.

Hi,

 

These watches are all within your target price, steel cases and have bracelets.

 

1.    Blancpain LÉMAN, Flyback Chronograph Grande Date (2885F-11B30B-71 )

2.    Breguet Type XX Aeronavale (3800ST/92/SW9)

3.    Breitling Transocean Chronograph (AB015112/BA59)

4.    Girard Perregaux WW.TC Chronograph (49805-11-650-11A)

5.    Glashutte Original Senator Chronograph (39-31-45-42-14)

6.    Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Squadra Chronograph GMT (7018120)

7.    Omega Speedmaster 50^th Anniversary Limited Series (311.33.42.50.01.001)

8.    Rolex Daytona Cosmograph (116520)

9.    Vacheron Constaintin Overseas Chronograph (49150/B01A-9097)

10. Zenith El Primero Stratos Flyback (03.2060.405/21.M2060)

The Zenith is the largest at 45.5 mm and the Breguet is the smallest at 39 mm.  Most are round, but the JLC is rectangular.  They represent differing designs and  dial colors. You can use the the reference numbers to look them up on the net.

Best,

Bob