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

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

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CKQC

Original Poster:

93 posts

80 months

Sunday 20th August 2017
quotequote all
Carl_Manchester said:
I would go into watchfinder inside the royal exchange at bank and just try on loads of different types until you get the style and size understood in your head and go from there.

there is also a watches of switzerland around the corner in the same building outside and an Omega store opposite inside, I usually just walk into both and try a few bits on.

I have found them all to be friendly and very accommodating.
Carl, thanks very much for this. I have looked online and can see they hold a lot of "contenders" and watches that have been discussed here. It would be good to try them on in the same place.

PP 5905 (the watch that started all of this!) - https://www.chrono24.co.uk/patekphilippe/watch-com...

Platinum Daytona - https://www.chrono24.co.uk/rolex/watch-daytona-116...

Lange 310.02x - https://www.chrono24.co.uk/alangesoehne/watch-lang...

PP 5960 - https://www.chrono24.co.uk/patekphilippe/watch-com...

World Time - https://www.chrono24.co.uk/patekphilippe/watch-com...

5205 - https://www.chrono24.co.uk/patekphilippe/watch-com...

Vacheron Perpetual - https://www.chrono24.co.uk/vacheronconstantin/watc...

I tried the A Lange 310.025 today. Have to say it is absolutely fking (apols, but it's that good) awesome. Tuetonic brilliance. Absolutely stinks of quality and weight of stroke!





£72.000 new though... So, better to have loved and lost...







Edited by CKQC on Sunday 20th August 18:17

Flying machine

1,132 posts

175 months

Sunday 20th August 2017
quotequote all
CKQC said:
Carl_Manchester said:
I would go into watchfinder inside the royal exchange at bank and just try on loads of different types until you get the style and size understood in your head and go from there.

there is also a watches of switzerland around the corner in the same building outside and an Omega store opposite inside, I usually just walk into both and try a few bits on.

I have found them all to be friendly and very accommodating.
Carl, thanks very much for this. I have looked online and can see they hold a lot of "contenders" and watches that have been discussed here. It would be good to try them on in the same place.

PP 5905 (the watch that started all of this!) - https://www.chrono24.co.uk/patekphilippe/watch-com...

Platinum Daytona - https://www.chrono24.co.uk/rolex/watch-daytona-116...

Lange 310.02x - https://www.chrono24.co.uk/alangesoehne/watch-lang...

PP 5960 - https://www.chrono24.co.uk/patekphilippe/watch-com...

World Time - https://www.chrono24.co.uk/patekphilippe/watch-com...

5205 - https://www.chrono24.co.uk/patekphilippe/watch-com...

Vacheron Perpetual - https://www.chrono24.co.uk/vacheronconstantin/watc...

Wow, that's quite a list! Love the Lange and the 5960! It'll be really interesting to hear your views once you've had a look at them.

I saw this video review of two watches that I think are stunning, and might be in your budget - I know that they aren't perpetual calendars, but what do you think?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LShvAo9DbGo

In fact the Duometre chronograph looks like a relative bargain based on the prices on Chrono24!

Total wildcard, what about a Lange Zeitwerk?



Carl_Manchester

12,103 posts

261 months

Sunday 20th August 2017
quotequote all

out of that little shortlist I would personally graduate towards the platinum based watches as I know that they won't scratch all that easily and they won't stand out as much. The gold based watches will mark you out on the street more and won't be as durable.

if you want to go for gold, might as well pick up a Stainless steel Carrera Day-date calibre 5 or IWC ingeniuer automatic as a daily beater whilst you are there bounce

PJ S

10,842 posts

226 months

Monday 21st August 2017
quotequote all
CKQC said:
I tried the A Lange 310.025 today. Have to say it is absolutely fking (apols, but it's that good) awesome. Tuetonic brilliance. Absolutely stinks of quality and weight of stroke!



£72.000 new though... So, better to have loved and lost...
What’s this “lost” business?
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/alangesoehne/langematik... – get in touch and stake your claim, pronto!
It’s the newest one under £45k, and even has the £5K (if not more) deployante clasp rather than the more usual buckle.
I’m confident you could get that down to something not that much over your budget.
We expect incoming thread and pics by the end of the week, so chop, chop!

Miocene

1,321 posts

156 months

Monday 21st August 2017
quotequote all
Well that's that sorted - looking forward to seeing pics!

Johnniem

2,660 posts

222 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2017
quotequote all
Now that is one very beautiful watch. Is a watch ever worth that sort of money? I don't know but I do know I would love that watch!

JM

matrignano

4,345 posts

209 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2017
quotequote all
Question: when buying such a complicated second hand watch, could you expect a service to be thrown in before purchase?
I can imagine that at 4 years old that watch would need a service soon, and that it would cost a hefty wack!?

CKQC

Original Poster:

93 posts

80 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2017
quotequote all
PJ S said:
What’s this “lost” business? https://www.chrono24.co.uk/alangesoehne/langematik... � get in touch and stake your claim, pronto! It’s the newest one under £45k, and even has the £5K (if not more) deployante clasp rather than the more usual buckle. I’m confident you could get that down to something not that much over your budget. We expect incoming thread and pics by the end of the week, so chop, chop!
Ha! Great points, well made.

However, curve ball in from left-field which has possibly, potentially, maybe, perhaps moved the Lange into second place. Just so hard to decide!

I've been trying on everything in sight but I won't be a bore and post all the pictures!

In summary, the Pateks left me cold, which was sad. Tried the 5905 (too big), 5205 (not special enough) 5230 (very cool but not a calendar and dial needs a geography degree), the 5396 and 5146 - they looked fab on the table but just didn't look right on me. They didn't have any Nautilus in stock due to demand.

The IWCs and JLCs didn't feel like they were in the same class. The Hublots felt like you'd buy them only if you didn't know AP existed.

I came back to the Patek showroom for one last look around and was just starting to wonder if PP was for me, when I asked to see the 5940J-001. I put that on and then BAM, my eyebrows shot up as did the dealer's and my companion's.

I know that the cushion shape is not that sought after and could mean it loses more money than a round Patek. I know that the watch has had rave reviews but has not sold in the same way as some other Pateks, such as the Nautilus.

But, it just worked on my wrist. I tried it on in white gold (with white and black faces) and yellow gold (with a cream face) and it only "worked" for me in yellow gold. The wrinkle is that it's "only £61,000, Sir" from Patek because it's a perpetual calendar, hence the bump in price.





Off to Royal Exchange now. Facebook live streaming anyone? wink

NDA

21,490 posts

224 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2017
quotequote all
matrignano said:
Question: when buying such a complicated second hand watch, could you expect a service to be thrown in before purchase?
I can imagine that at 4 years old that watch would need a service soon, and that it would cost a hefty wack!?
Yes, normally you would expect a service - actually on most quality watches, from Rolex upwards.

dimots

3,013 posts

89 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2017
quotequote all
That looks perfect. Buy it.

CKQC

Original Poster:

93 posts

80 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2017
quotequote all
dimots said:
That looks perfect. Buy it.
Tell you what though, 5205 looks a LOT better on my wrist in gold (need to check if I'm a rapstar?). Suddenly doesn't feel so big, has more presence and melts in against my skin a little more

5940 and Lange still leading pack though...


drainbrain

5,637 posts

110 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2017
quotequote all
No love for a tourbillon? Ok maybe not a Patek, but there's plenty of others at the 60k price point.

(just as pointless as a moon phase but a LOT more fun to watch..)

Edited by drainbrain on Tuesday 22 August 14:51

PJ S

10,842 posts

226 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2017
quotequote all
CKQC said:
PJ S said:
What’s this “lost” business? https://www.chrono24.co.uk/alangesoehne/langematik... ? get in touch and stake your claim, pronto! It’s the newest one under £45k, and even has the £5K (if not more) deployante clasp rather than the more usual buckle. I’m confident you could get that down to something not that much over your budget. We expect incoming thread and pics by the end of the week, so chop, chop!
Ha! Great points, well made.

However, curve ball in from left-field which has possibly, potentially, maybe, perhaps moved the Lange into second place. Just so hard to decide!

In summary, the Pateks left me cold, which was sad. Tried the 5905 (too big), 5205 (not special enough) 5230 (very cool but not a calendar and dial needs a geography degree), the 5396 and 5146 - they looked fab on the table but just didn't look right on me. They didn't have any Nautilus in stock due to demand.

I came back to the Patek showroom for one last look around and was just starting to wonder if PP was for me, when I asked to see the 5940J-001. I put that on and then BAM, my eyebrows shot up as did the dealer's and my companion's.

I know that the cushion shape is not that sought after and could mean it loses more money than a round Patek. I know that the watch has had rave reviews but has not sold in the same way as some other Pateks, such as the Nautilus.

But, it just worked on my wrist. I tried it on in white gold (with white and black faces) and yellow gold (with a cream face) and it only "worked" for me in yellow gold. The wrinkle is that it's "only £61,000, Sir" from Patek because it's a perpetual calendar, hence the bump in price.
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/patekphilippe/18k-wg-se...
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/patekphilippe/nautilus-...

But seriously, at this price point, AL&S are better finished than Patek, and as much as the 5940 is grand, the Lange wipes the floor with it, IMO, as far as dial aesthetics is concerned.
Bottom line, whichever you go for, you won’t have made a bad decision.

Just bear in mind that Patek makes around 70K pieces annually, Lange is lucky if it makes even 7K – and for good measure, Rolex makes circa 800K!

CKQC

Original Poster:

93 posts

80 months

Wednesday 23rd August 2017
quotequote all
PJ S said:
Just bear in mind that Patek makes around 70K pieces annually, Lange is lucky if it makes even 7K – and for good measure, Rolex makes circa 800K!
How strange then, that it is Rolex and Patek that lead the way when it comes to auctions and value. They obviously have the "x-factor" which means that the production volume has a negligible effect.

I am leaning towards the Lange, but with sensible hat on, I know that I have a responsibility to value and the Patek is more likely to retain it's value than the Lange...

drainbrain

5,637 posts

110 months

Wednesday 23rd August 2017
quotequote all
SOME Rolex and Patek hold value.

Some don't.

The ones you're looking at don't.

That's why they're available mint 2nd hand much cheaper than rrp at AD.


CKQC

Original Poster:

93 posts

80 months

Wednesday 23rd August 2017
quotequote all
Very well put and I completely agree. What I need to decide is whether the 310.025 would hold value better than the 5940.

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 23rd August 2017
quotequote all
drainbrain said:
SOME Rolex and Patek hold value.

Some don't.

The ones you're looking at don't.

That's why they're available mint 2nd hand much cheaper than rrp at AD.
And they are 'Dealer prices'

They will have at least 30% margin in them (probably more). So should you need to sell you will be looking at a lot less than the advertised price.



ZesPak

24,421 posts

195 months

Wednesday 23rd August 2017
quotequote all
CKQC said:
I am leaning towards the Lange, but with sensible hat on, I know that I have a responsibility to value and the Patek is more likely to retain it's value than the Lange...
If you buy the Lange second hand, wouldn't depreciation have done most of it's work then?
It'll flatten out at some point I imagine?

drainbrain

5,637 posts

110 months

Wednesday 23rd August 2017
quotequote all
CKQC said:
Very well put and I completely agree. What I need to decide is whether the 310.025 would hold value better than the 5940.
The thing is, it sounds as if you're going to wear the watch rather than stick it in a safe/display box. If so, then 10 seconds after you put it on it's "used", so you'd be (ahem) a bit daft not to buy an absolute minter used one which as ZesPak said will have absorbed the initial depreciation, so you're going to 'save' many thousands on and which will be indistinguishable from new.

Also, unless you "get the bug" and start wanting to climb the haute horologerie ladder which will render cost, value, price etc meaningless (ask any addict), you'll likely have this beautiful timepiece for many many years. There are probably no watches say 20+ years old and in good condition that aren't 'worth' the same arithmetic amount that was paid for them, so 'one day' you'll get your money back anyway if you really want it.


CKQC

Original Poster:

93 posts

80 months

Monday 28th August 2017
quotequote all
More visits today to review and consider further!

Managed to find a location with 2 x 5940 that I could try side by side, which was great.

So, black or yellow gold?

I thought the black with black looked so contemporary and striking, so I thought it was the better combo to start, but I eventually came back around to the understated elegance of the gold with tan strap.




Also, viewed gold and platinum 5140 which was superb as well. Do we think the 5940 just edges it?

The 5140 was nice as well - the picture doesn't quite do it justice.



Also tried on the 5327 which was "nice".



Edited by CKQC on Monday 28th August 21:00


Edited by CKQC on Thursday 7th September 13:23