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

[NDA]

CKQC said:

So, I went down to my "local" and tried on 3 Pateks: 5396, 5146, 5205.

All lovely watches ranging from 38mm - 40mm. I liked them all, but I have to confess that they didn't blow me away... I did find myself wondering if 38/40mm is too big for me? Some pictures for your thoughts.

They do look a bit big on you. However, some like that look.... There'll be a size that's just right. Too small or too big is such a personal thing.

The early Nautilus looks too small on me



But the latest looks fine.

[CKQC]

DJMC said:

sad61t said:

For £40,000 I'd have to be 100% happy; and I know exactly what you mean when you try a watch and find it dominates the wrist. If you think they're too big then take the time to try a 36 mm model.

Crazy to think that svelte pocket watches used to be 44 mm, and now wrist watches are commonly sized similarly. But that's a whole new thread.

Yes, if you're thinking now that 40mm is too big that thought may continue into ownership, and regret.

Perhaps you're thinking you should have a bigger watch as it's the trend, but I'd say it's not size but proportion to your wrist you should consider most.

Yes, thank you you are both right. I will be buying for what works on me as opposed to what is acceptable via current trends. I will be going to look at PP in the 36mm/37mm range including watches such as these. Thoughts?






Also, any thoughts on Nautilus Annual Calendars? Leather strap or without? Any suggestions for which ones to look at?

Do we think that maybe I shouldn't just look at annual calendars now?

T6 vanman said:

Having not followed the whole thread .. I guess CKQC has quashed the 'school holiday' comments

The noises from the malicious, unhelpful and jealous rabble that resides on PH has never bothered me. I would never address them and would try to just move on. Unsurprising to see that they're quiet now, not even an apology for shamelessly trying to malign/embarrass a person they have never met. Pathetic.

Edited by CKQC on Tuesday 15th August 14:38

[T6 vanman]

I note you appear only to be looking at Patek Philippe

Is this your preferred choice?

Obviously biased here following my latest purchase - but three calendar watches ... I do like the one with the chrono function


Quick scan on tinternet reveals some nice perpetual calender watches froom AP Royal Oak and Ulysse Nardin as examples.

Of the three you highlighted the middle 5056P in blue appealed to me the most
Spend wisely

Edited by T6 vanman on Tuesday 15th August 15:36

[anonymous-user]

T6 vanman said:

I
Obviously biased here following my latest purchase

Got any decent pics of that?
The one you put in the wrist shot thread was a poor show if you don't mind me saying!

[sad61t]

Don't give up on the calendar option, it's one of your mega-watch criteria. You'll be out on the shops again next month looking for a calendar complication.

For me the Nautilus works best in its simplest form. But opinions differ.

Of the four dress watches you posted, the first and last are lovely. The first because of the contemporary, rich chocolate, colour scheme; the last from the classic looks, to me the quintessential dress watch (though missing your preference for a moon-phase complication).

[Flying machine]

sad61t said:

Don't give up on the calendar option, it's one of your mega-watch criteria. You'll be out on the shops again next month looking for a calendar complication.

Totally agree with this

What a shame that none of the PP's really blew you away - I imagine that they're going to have to given the cost! I see what you mean about feeling a little too big, but I suppose big is fashionable at the moment! Of those that you tried on, I think the 5046 looks best, but if it were me I'd also look at the rose gold case too - but that's just letting my personal preference doing the talking as I will hopefully be looking for one in the next year or so. Probably no surprise that I also think that the 5035 looks great too, classic!

I've got a 'thing' at the moment about A. Lange & Söhne, and see that they make a rather obscenely expensive Langematik Perpetual Calendar that may just sneak into your (very generous) budget if you keep an eye on Chrono24?

[CKQC]

Flying machine said:

I've got a 'thing' at the moment about A. Lange & Söhne, and see that they make a rather obscenely expensive Langematik Perpetual Calendar that may just sneak into your (very generous) budget if you keep an eye on Chrono24?

A previous poster on here, very helpfully pushed me in the same direction. I am going to view a Lange 310.025 which is gorgeous in pictures. The one I'd love is a 410.025, but I can barely bring myself to afford the 310.025. Again, 38.5mm so not getting ahead of myself.

Cheapest one is in China, which I would never even attempt a purchase from!

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/alangesoehne/310025--id...

[Johnniem]

NDA said:

They do look a bit big on you. However, some like that look.... There'll be a size that's just right. Too small or too big is such a personal thing.

The early Nautilus looks too small on me



But the latest looks fine.

I may well be amongst the minority here but that watch really isn't a nice looking watch at all. It is only the PP name on it that makes it sellable in my honest opinion. Don't be offended, it is only my opinion and more others than not will disagree.

[NDA]

Johnniem said:

I may well be amongst the minority here but that watch really isn't a nice looking watch at all. It is only the PP name on it that makes it sellable in my honest opinion. Don't be offended, it is only my opinion and more others than not will disagree.

No offence.... the Nautilus is a strange watch. I used to think they looked awful, then, for some reason, I started to think they looked like a classic watch. It kind of grows on you.

[Johnniem]

NDA said:

Johnniem said:

I may well be amongst the minority here but that watch really isn't a nice looking watch at all. It is only the PP name on it that makes it sellable in my honest opinion. Don't be offended, it is only my opinion and more others than not will disagree.

No offence.... the Nautilus is a strange watch. I used to think they looked awful, then, for some reason, I started to think they looked like a classic watch. It kind of grows on you.

Then that is all that matters. Enjoy.

[DJMC]

CKQC said:

Yes, thank you you are both right. I will be buying for what works on me as opposed to what is acceptable via current trends. I will be going to look at PP in the 36mm/37mm range including watches such as these. Thoughts?

It is odd how we get affected by what everyone else is doing. I started wearing my 36mm OP DJ 15 years ago...



Then, looking for a GMT for my son, I got sucked in to the Sports watch thing. So the "incorrectly sized and out of fashion bi-metal" DJ has gone, to be replaced by a Sub date...



Before I let the DJ go, and having worn the Sub for three weeks without touching the DJ, I did try it once again, and its new 36mm replacement, and they both looked ridiculously small. BUT, what is it that has turned me against 36mm after wearing it for so long?
It just HAS to be the current fashion for larger watches.

I tried on a couple of 41mm DJs right after the new 36mm and they now look perfect on my 7 1/2" wrist. And so I'm strangely drawn to going back to the classic bi-metal DJ in 41mm, with fluted bezel and jubilee bracelet. However, if I'm so influenced by trends why can't I stand the smooth bezel and oyster bracelet which seems to dominate?

I prefer this...



To this...



Choosing a watch is a complex decision. You think you know when you see THE watch, but what part of your subconscious is being affected by outside influences? And is that a good or bad thing? Will your choice ultimately be affected by these and cause you to choose a watch you later regret buying?

When my wife bought her new DJ ten days ago she had to go back three times before she was happy with the combination of bezel, bracelet, and dial. So, to the OP, take your time and only buy when your head and heart are both in agreement and you have the prefect watch on your arm. At £40,000 it's a pricey mistake to get it wrong.

[drainbrain]

CKQC said:

Wouldn't suit me or my lifestyle but (imo as a Patek fan and owner) that's way way ahead of anything else you've posted of the same type.

Mind you, spotted this today which is also quite a timepiece for the right person:

https://www.watches.co.uk/brequet-classique-18ct-p...

Other than as a customer I've no connection with watches.co.uk but they're a sound company and that's a 50 grand watch for 30.

Edited by drainbrain on Friday 18th August 12:28

[Armitage.Shanks]

Interesting watches Brequet. My chum has one (amongst many others) and tells me it's the only watch he's bought and didn't ask the price!

[Composer62]

https://www.watches.co.uk/brequet-classique-18ct-p...

Hmmmm .. you'd have to wonder about a dealer that can't spell "Breguet" though

Though to be fair, they do spell it correctly in the text.

[Carl_Manchester]

NDA said:

The early Nautilus looks too small on me

The standard nautilus also has the more positive affect of not making you look like a tool by showing what month it is

I would go for a stainless steel standard nautilus and pocket the change or a precious metal rolex-day date. the blue dial platinum day-date makes me weak at the knees.

That is my humble summary of sportier watches in this price range, I can't justify a £40k watch and the thought of wearing one as a daily would terrify me for various reasons but I have tried a bunch on and sadly, for a sportier watch with metal clasp its either a Patek or a Rolex for me. A boring, predictable answer.

A used freak is a totally awesome watch but it is very profession/setting dependent. It comes up huge on my wrist and I could not dream of wearing one to work but what a nice dream to have.

If it really has to be a dress watch with a strap for £40k or less then I would buy a Chopard LUC and promise myself to never sell it. They look great (imo) and I have never seen one in the wild.

[CKQC]

I think I have been slightly thrown by how I wasn't blown away by the PPs I tried on at the showroom. I've been speaking to a friend who is properly into his watches and he says that £40,000 is a funny number for a budget. In his view, it doesn't get you into the truly top end stuff, but you're close and once you start looking that high "up" it's hard to look back down! Interesting thought and I'm not sure whether I agree, or not...

I think I need to look at that Lange 310.025 but my concern is that it is unlikely to hold it's value? It does speak to me in the pictures though.

I also think I need to accept that it's highly unlikely that I will be able to carry off a watch that is any larger than 38mm unless it "wears small". Perhaps need to focus on 36/37mm watches now?

Also, who would you guys recommend I visit for used watches in London? Ultimately, one needs to try this stuff on...

Champagne problems!

drainbrain said:

Wouldn't suit me or my lifestyle but (imo as a Patek fan and owner) that's way way ahead of anything else you've posted of the same type.

Keen to understand your thought behind this?

Edited by CKQC on Saturday 19th August 11:18

[anonymous-user]

Do any of the watches under consideration really hold their value?

I would have thought the market is very illiquid and that most people would want to buy from a dealer.

[Carl_Manchester]

CKQC said:

Also, who would you guys recommend I visit for used watches in London? Ultimately, one needs to try this stuff on...

Champagne problems!

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.

[hilly10]

[quote=CKQC]

A previous poster on here, very helpfully pushed me in the same direction. I am going to view a Lange 310.025 which is gorgeous in pictures. The one I'd love is a 410.025, but I can barely bring myself to afford the 310.025. Again, 38.5mm so not getting ahead of myself.

Cheapest one is in China, which I would never even attempt a purchase from!

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/alangesoehne/310025--id...

[/quote

This would be my choice all day long, in my eyes a total thing of beauty

[drainbrain]

hilly10]KQC said:

A previous poster on here, very helpfully pushed me in the same direction. I am going to view a Lange 310.025 which is gorgeous in pictures. The one I'd love is a 410.025, but I can barely bring myself to afford the 310.025. Again, 38.5mm so not getting ahead of myself.

Cheapest one is in China, which I would never even attempt a purchase from!

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/alangesoehne/310025--id...

[/quote

This would be my choice all day long, in my eyes a total thing of beauty

Seriously? You'd take that in preference to that watches.co.uk Breguet? Naaa. Don't believe you...