Trying to to buy a "mega-watch". Budget £40,000. Help!

[CKQC]

Long time “lurker” and have finally signed up, so hello to all.

I have decided to take a massive, wristwatch sized plunge.

I have a budget of a maximum of £40,000.

I am hoping to spend less but would go to £40,000 for an exceptional piece.

My criteria are:

1. Annual or perpetual calendar.
2. Moon phase would be a bonus.
3. Preferably Patek (my first choice), Audemars, Vacheron or A Lange & Sohn.
4. The piece is expected to hold its value.

Of course, happy to be educated on any other watches or features that I have excluded through ignorance.

Please do include links and pictures. Advice on who to buy from, prices and things to look out for would be very welcome.

I can completely appreciate that my point (4) involves crystal-balling, but my understanding is that generally speaking, an annual or perpetual calendar from one of the above, is more likely that most watches to hold its value.

I hope that my first thread is one that becomes very active and I will be happy to post what I buy, or update as I go through the process of finding the watch.

[schmunk]

Is it the school holidays?

• look at phone, as I haven't worn a watch it about 10 years**

Yes, it is the school holidays.

[Yex 450]

Once you've had a few suggestions you are happy with speak to Dom at Hackett watches:

www.hackettwatches.com

He has helped out many a PH'er over the years and is a Gent to deal with.

[Doofus]

OK, I'll bite.

CKQC said:

I will be happy to post what I buy, or update as I go through the process of finding the watch.

Go on then.

[Hoofy]

Not keen on gold/white but: http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/A.%20Lange%20and%20So...

Slightly above budget.

schmunk said:

Is it the school holidays?

• look at phone, as I haven't worn a watch it about 10 years**

Yes, it is the school holidays.

This is the watches subforum so you will be busy commenting on every single thread asking for advice to mention your phone as a replacement for a watch.

Edited by Hoofy on Monday 31st July 14:58

[CKQC]

Hoofy said:

Not keen on gold/white but: http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/A.%20Lange%20and%20So...

Thank you Hoofy. That is a bit of a strong watch! However, thank you for the thought.

schmunk said:

Is it the school holidays?

• look at phone, as I haven't worn a watch it about 10 years**

Yes, it is the school holidays.

Hoofy said:

This is the watches subforum so you will be busy commenting on every single thread asking for advice to mention your phone as a replacement for a watch.

Hoovy, I think schmunk was trying to suggest that this is a hoax thread. Anyway, hope the rest of the forum is more helpful than this chap. Perhaps his forum name should have been schmuck?

I have been focusing my attention on Patek more than any other watchmaker at this point, and I have been very drawn to the 5905, but that would appear to be somewhat above budget. Picture below.



As a result, I have looked at the 5205 which is a similar concentric circles design and more within the range I would like to spend.



I have also considered a Nautilus 5726, but I have a 90s bi-metal Royal Oak with day-date, so while the Nautilus would blow it out of the water, I already have something comparable by Genta.



Thank you Yex for suggesting DH. I will speak to him once I have narrowed things down to one or two choices.

Edited by CKQC on Monday 31st July 15:15

[Hoofy]

Like the styling of the round watches you've posted; not keen on the grey and black dial, though. Do they do similar with a darker dial in one colour?

[matrignano]

I know it's not on your list, but have you thought about JLC?
For that kind of money one of my "holy grail" watches has always been the Duometre

[CKQC]

I'm certainly not averse to JLC in any way, it's just that when it comes to the criteria of holding value, the other 4 seems to be another level up? The Duometre is lovely, but a little too busy in the face for me. For me JLC comes into it's own in the sub-£20,000 category for an understated dress watch.

Please do make mention of anything that comes to mind, even if not on my list!

[sad61t]

Always willing to help spend someone else's money

Browsing through Chrono24, spotted this L.Leroy:
http://www.chrono24.co.uk/lleroy/18k-rg-retrograde...

It has similar concentric circle design to the Patek you mentioned earlier in the thread. Here it contains the rather elegant retrograde date function, and a moonphase. Quite an unusual, and stylish, piece.

[CKQC]

That is lovely and retrograde to boot. I haven't come across the manufacturer myself. My knowledge is mostly restricted to the more "famous" watch houses.

Suggestions so far have been right at the £40,000 limit! Let's see a few a little lower is possible!

Any views on a 5140 with a brown dial? Do you think I'd get bored with the colour and wish I'd gone for something more vanilla in time? I've never owned a "fancy" dial. It's about £30,000 - £35,000.



As an aside, are watches actually selling for these prices or are seller taking offers?

Edited by CKQC on Monday 31st July 17:08

[Taita]

Try Kerry Gospel at Blowers in London - he knows his stuff!

[Hoofy]

CKQC said:

That is lovely and retrograde to boot. I haven't come across the manufacturer myself. My knowledge is mostly restricted to the more "famous" watch houses.

Suggestions so far have been right at the £40,000 limit! Let's see a few a little lower is possible!

Any views on a 5140 with a brown dial? Do you think I'd get bored with the colour and wish I'd gone for something more vanilla in time? I've never owned a "fancy" dial. It's about £30,000 - £35,000.



As an aside, are watches actually selling for these prices or are seller taking offers?

Edited by CKQC on Monday 31st July 17:08

That's nice but not sure about the colour. Can you get that as a chrome/silver/white gold case with black face?

[dc2rr07]

Hoofy said:

Not keen on gold/white but: http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/A.%20Lange%20and%20So...

Slightly above budget.

Edited by Hoofy on Monday 31st July 14:58

Vey nice, how much are kidneys going for these days

[PJ S]

CKQC said:

Long time “lurker” and have finally signed up, so hello to all.

I have decided to take a massive, wristwatch sized plunge.

I have a budget of a maximum of £40,000.

I am hoping to spend less but would go to £40,000 for an exceptional piece.

My criteria are:

1. Annual or perpetual calendar.
2. Moon phase would be a bonus.
3. Preferably Patek (my first choice), Audemars, Vacheron or A Lange & Sohn.
4. The piece is expected to hold its value.

Of course, happy to be educated on any other watches or features that I have excluded through ignorance.

Please do include links and pictures. Advice on who to buy from, prices and things to look out for would be very welcome.

I can completely appreciate that my point (4) involves crystal-balling, but my understanding is that generally speaking, an annual or perpetual calendar from one of the above, is more likely that most watches to hold its value.

I hope that my first thread is one that becomes very active and I will be happy to post what I buy, or update as I go through the process of finding the watch.

Criteria number 4 is incongruent for those last three in criteria number 3 – but don’t take that to mean all Pateks are depreciation-proof, they’re not!

[PJ S]

sad61t said:

Always willing to help spend someone else's money

Browsing through Chrono24, spotted this L.Leroy:
http://www.chrono24.co.uk/lleroy/18k-rg-retrograde...

It has similar concentric circle design to the Patek you mentioned earlier in the thread. Here it contains the rather elegant retrograde date function, and a moonphase. Quite an unusual, and stylish, piece.

Love Leroy (they dropped the L a bit over a year ago), but that Osmior is using the Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier movement, rather than an in-house one.
It’s also an older and discontinued model.
Even with only 300 pieces made, Leroy is not going to be one which holds its money – but then brands like that are not bought by watch aficionados who worry about residual values.

[7184c]

If you can get one - Patek aquanaut travel time advanced research.

[anonymous-user]

I'd got for a Richard Mille - something like an RM10

Unlikely to lose money.

Seriously regret selling mine.

[Sheetmaself]

My money would go on a Richard Mille too but there hardly in keeping with the rest of the selections the op has liked are they!

[S100HP]

They make 40k watches?!