Anyone got a Mondiane?
Discussion
Anyone here got a Mondiane?
They look like great value at about £350.
http://www.mondaine.com/mondaine/
Just wondered what people thought of them?
They look like great value at about £350.
http://www.mondaine.com/mondaine/
Just wondered what people thought of them?
Here's mine.
Bought it at Christmas as I've always liked the design. So far I'm very pleased with it, it's very well made and always elicits questions when I'm wearing it. The strap initially felt too cheap to go with the watch but it is actually very very soft and pliable. A quality watch for not much cash
Bought it at Christmas as I've always liked the design. So far I'm very pleased with it, it's very well made and always elicits questions when I'm wearing it. The strap initially felt too cheap to go with the watch but it is actually very very soft and pliable. A quality watch for not much cash
tty little box it comes in. I was expecting a Christopher Ward type luggage trunk.I can't look at those Mondaine watches without feeling this desperate need to jack in the entire rat race and become a ski bum in Verbier. I always use the trains in Switzerland when holidaying there (they work, they're on time (virtually always), they're clean, the ticket inspectors are usually pleasant and even the graffiti in the rougher parts of the big cities seems less threatening, for some reason). And, of course, the second hand red dot is the icon of Swiss railway clocks.
Sadly, I can't afford to live there, and can't think of a job I could do that would pay enough to live reasonably nicely (i.e. not a 2 hour commute to the village each day, Pot Noodles for lunch (actually just had one, for some reason), and working 18 hours a day so no time to ski / walk / climb anyway) other than consulting to the hedge fundies / wealth managers in Geneva. I could *easily* make good money doing the same job I do now, but in Geneva (I speak enough French to get away with it) - but that's not the mountain village life, that's just City finance in a foreign country. I guess being in Geneva would let me *more cheaply* dash up to the Valaisanne resorts at the weekends... but it's only a 1.5 hour flight from London City airport, so it's really not that much different from what I have now...
Property (if you get accepted - Verbier especially has had too many rich foreigners buying places in the village and it's getting over-built to the point that the local authorities are getting a LOT pickier) is eye-wateringly expensive. And with the current state of the pound, forget it
Off topic I know, but whilst I think the Mondaine railway clock watches are *very* nice and great for the money, I wouldn't own one as I'd get immediate snow cold turkey every time I looked at it
Only a month to go till I'm out there next...
On topic - a colleague and friend (and PHer, incidentally) bought one last Christmas. They come in multiple sizes, and he was surprised how small his was. I think the normal one is something like 37mm and that wears *really* small compared to modern watches (which all have gone 40mm+ for men). If you're concerned about this, make sure you get the 'bigger' Mondaine. Given the railway-clock symbolism, I'd prefer a decent size (maybe 42mm, like an IWC Portuguese) if I was going to have one.
Sadly, I can't afford to live there, and can't think of a job I could do that would pay enough to live reasonably nicely (i.e. not a 2 hour commute to the village each day, Pot Noodles for lunch (actually just had one, for some reason), and working 18 hours a day so no time to ski / walk / climb anyway) other than consulting to the hedge fundies / wealth managers in Geneva. I could *easily* make good money doing the same job I do now, but in Geneva (I speak enough French to get away with it) - but that's not the mountain village life, that's just City finance in a foreign country. I guess being in Geneva would let me *more cheaply* dash up to the Valaisanne resorts at the weekends... but it's only a 1.5 hour flight from London City airport, so it's really not that much different from what I have now...
Property (if you get accepted - Verbier especially has had too many rich foreigners buying places in the village and it's getting over-built to the point that the local authorities are getting a LOT pickier) is eye-wateringly expensive. And with the current state of the pound, forget it
Off topic I know, but whilst I think the Mondaine railway clock watches are *very* nice and great for the money, I wouldn't own one as I'd get immediate snow cold turkey every time I looked at it
Only a month to go till I'm out there next...On topic - a colleague and friend (and PHer, incidentally) bought one last Christmas. They come in multiple sizes, and he was surprised how small his was. I think the normal one is something like 37mm and that wears *really* small compared to modern watches (which all have gone 40mm+ for men). If you're concerned about this, make sure you get the 'bigger' Mondaine. Given the railway-clock symbolism, I'd prefer a decent size (maybe 42mm, like an IWC Portuguese) if I was going to have one.
A little anecdote. A few weeks ago I signed a deal up for some windows in a nice period Georgian town house, the customer was a lovely old lady, and had been a bit of an 'it' girl back in the day, photos in the house of her and the Burtons in the South of France etc. Anyway, after having taken her order, I asked why she had bought from us? and she replied that "Everyone else had been an idiot, except for you, and I noticed you wear a Mondaine"
Balmoral Green said:
A little anecdote. A few weeks ago I signed a deal up for some windows in a nice period Georgian town house, the customer was a lovely old lady, and had been a bit of an 'it' girl back in the day, photos in the house of her and the Burtons in the South of France etc. Anyway, after having taken her order, I asked why she had bought from us? and she replied that "Everyone else had been an idiot, except for you, and I noticed you wear a Mondaine"
I think you're in there.Ray Singh said:
Anyone here got a Mondiane?
They look like great value at about £350.
http://www.mondaine.com/mondaine/
Just wondered what people thought of them?
I have that exact one, and it's excellent.They look like great value at about £350.
http://www.mondaine.com/mondaine/
Just wondered what people thought of them?
Such a lovely watch that the other night I was actually at a (very posh) jewellery store launch, totally underdressed as I'm just here on holiday really. Everyone there is wearing suits, ties, women have ball gowns on etc. I'm in jeans and a white cotton shirt, wearing the Mondaine.
I'm introduced to a chap of around 45-50 who has a Patek Phillipe on his wrist, enough diamonds to worry Elizabeth Taylor, and is currently holding a new Ulysse Nardin wondering if he needs yet another. He spies the Mondaine and asks to have a look at it. I take it off and he remarks that he likes the different strap I have put on it (black Italian leather with white stitching) and that he has a quartz version in his collection, but hadn't seen the automatic for sale anywhere (he never buys from the internet).
I gave him the name of the London watchmakers where I got mine, he promised to visit next time he is there.
Since then I have worn it while watch shopping here, and it's always drawn positive comments. Probably more than any of my vintage Omegas, even.
So basically, buy one. Classic, interesting and apparently highly regarded by those who know their stuff.
Seen these for sale in a discreet jewellers in Marlborough. Very friendly staff and the watches look fantastic up close. As has been said a design classic with timeless appeal. Only heard good things about them
If I had the spare cash I'd have one for sure. The larger size I reckon...
Andy
If I had the spare cash I'd have one for sure. The larger size I reckon...
Andy
Argghhh I am on the Jura web site now and the itch is strong for this
http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/watch.asp?productid=1...
http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/watch.asp?productid=1...
Thought long and hard about the Auto, however went for the larger face quartz version mainly due to liking the 'no-lug' case, and also feel is more in keeping with the Swiss Railways clocks that are part of me from my Inter-Railing days - no day/date.
For me it has to be the cleanest, easiest to read face of any watch on the market. I've been surprised by how interest it generates too.
For me it has to be the cleanest, easiest to read face of any watch on the market. I've been surprised by how interest it generates too.
Ray Singh said:
Anyone here got a Mondiane?
They look like great value at about £350.
http://www.mondaine.com/mondaine/
Just wondered what people thought of them?
£350!?They look like great value at about £350.
http://www.mondaine.com/mondaine/
Just wondered what people thought of them?
I bought this one for £80.
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