Holy Trinity Alternatives

[coates848]

Not being one of the fortunate few being able to stretch to a Patek Phillipe Nautilus, an AP Royal Oak or a VC Overseas, I find myself looking at more realistic alternatives that have the same 70s vibe, with a brushed steel finish and a blue face, preferably with an in-house movement. The two I am coming up with are the Piaget Polo S and the Girard Perregaux Laureato. Does anyone have any thoughts or experience of these two? I appreciate that with both watches they run the risk of being called "knock-offs" of the big three although I do think that a little unfair. My understanding is that both Piaget and GP remain very high quality and the law of diminishing returns makes £8k to £10k in one of these represent far better value than the eye watering sums commanded by the others. Any opinions or alternatives would be greatly received!

[T6 vanman]

No comments apart from the Girard Perregaux Laureato Perpetual Calendar would be my daily following a lottery win.

[JeffreyD]

The GP reminded me of an IWC Ingenieur.

They are cheaper than budget - I have a couple and they are nice watches (one in particular has a very well finished dial and lovely chunky case and strap)

Or going up the price scale a bit there is H Moser. The ones I have seen are finished beautifully.

[cv3hd]

Bulgari Octo Finissimo would be on my list (from someone with a blue dial RO).

[geezerbutler]

Here's a couple of lesser known but very high quality alternatives:

Glashutte Original

https://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/c/Brands/...

Moritz Grossman

https://davidcarpenterwatches.com/product/atum-pur...

[coates848]

Many thanks for all your responses. Some great suggestions there, all of which i'll give some thought to. Once we're allowed I'll make a day of trying them all on down Bond Street and see if any of them speak to me.

It does occur to me though that basically what I'm after is something that provides the Genta look without paying PP, AP, VC prices. With that in mind I do have this tucked away that I inherited and barely ever wear. Probably only worth a few hundred quid and doesn't even compare to the grail watches of course. No blue face either but am I better off saving myself 6 grand and showing this old thing some love instead?

Edited by coates848 on Thursday 18th March 10:09

[JeffreyD]

Definitely - that's a lovely watch.

[BS62]

Without knowing the story of inheritance, I'll just chip in that irrespective of the thread topic it's worth giving that some love and wearing it.
The only thing I inherited from my father was a cheap ste quartz pulsar but it's nice to put on from time to time, even if i wouldn't ever go out and buy one like it.

[gregs656]

That looks great. I reckon you’re undervaluing it too.

[richthebike]

"It does occur to me though that basically what I'm after is something that provides the Genta look without paying PP, AP, VC prices"

How about 300 quid:

[gregs656]

richthebike said:

"It does occur to me though that basically what I'm after is something that provides the Genta look without paying PP, AP, VC prices"

How about 300 quid:

The OP has a vintage Zenith Defy Auto, that is a modern Tissot quartz.

The OPs one is (I assume) the inspiration for the modern Defy Classic.

[JeffreyD]

gregs656 said:

That looks great. I reckon you’re undervaluing it too.

On the second hand market they aren't worth much and in my opinion very undervalued. I think many people consider them too small to wear daily. (not I)

A new one would be right in the sweet spot the OP wanted - single figure thousands in terms of price and real quality without being at the absolute top of the tree.

[richthebike]

gregs656 said:

The OP has a vintage Zenith Defy Auto, that is a modern Tissot quartz.

The OPs one is (I assume) the inspiration for the modern Defy Classic.

It's a brushed, stainless steel, blue dial, 40mm x 10mm, Swiss made, 60s and 70s inspired 100m sports watch with an integrated bracelet. I think it hits the brief (unless we need to spend at least a few thousand for some reason).

I can also personally recommend an Autodromo Group B on a bracelet, which channels the VC222 jumbo pretty hard, but for not much money. Finishing is excellent too. Movement is a bit noisy.

There's a GP Laureato 41mm 225 anniversary on ebay at the moment which looks like a great option at £4500 or so.

[Uncle John]

I like the PRX especially at that price. Almost fisted the kumquat on one but went with something else in the end.

[nikaiyo2]

cv3hd said:

Bulgari Octo Finissimo would be on my list (from someone with a blue dial RO).

Yup, has to be one of the most underrated watches. I think the kind of semi mat titanium one is amazing.

[gregs656]

nikaiyo2 said:

cv3hd said:

Bulgari Octo Finissimo would be on my list (from someone with a blue dial RO).

Yup, has to be one of the most underrated watches. I think the kind of semi mat titanium one is amazing.

The GMT is the next major watch purchase I will make I think. Few years off but I absolutely love it.

[Soleith]

Chopard Alpine Eagle I think fits the brief for the most part. In house movement, integrated bracelet, blue face, screwed down crown, only slight deviation is the bracelet isn't 100% brushed (some of it is). Lovely piece tbh and if I didn't have my Omega 321 speedy arriving today I'd be thinking about one having just looked at them!