RobbieG

Might I suggest going as the Co*kmonster?

So I'm getting married soon and I'm kind of looking for a real dress watch to wear formally. I started thinking about what a dress watch really is and realized I definitely don't have one. Like a DJ or DD isn't really a dress watch because it is so well worn as a crossover now as an example. Obviously most of us focus on sports watches here and I thought it would be cool to ponder something else for a bit. There are many, many watches that sort of function as both. For me I kind of also think that a bracelet retracts from the dressieness of any watch believe it or not. So I tend to feel that strapped watches are more dressy than bracelets. But you may not see it that way. Hence the thread... So I was trying to ask what watch would I only really wear with a suit? And that is my question to you all. What are some of your favorite dress watches that you would only really wear formally. Not a tux per se but what you would reach for in a perfect world if you were full on dressed to the nines - Armani - tie - pocket square - shoes - you know the deal. I also would like to hear your thougts on what distinguishes a pure dress watch in your mind. So far I have only found two but my interest in one is waning. I started getting into the Lange 1's a while ago but I realized I just sort of like to look at most of them and I'm not sure if I really love them to wear per se. For that price, I damn well better! But still, it ceratinly qualifies and I'm sure many of you might mention others from Lange. My latest interest has been in Vacheron's Patrimony series. Particularly the latest small seconds model. Just elegant and simple and definitely not sporty in the least and I certainly wouldn't wear it with anything but a suit. Not the best pic though. It is stunning in person... As an example of a "crossover" watch, here is a Droz I had for a short time. Cool for sure but I never wore it so off it went. At 43MM it is a little big for a pure dress watch to me, which brings up the issue of size. How big is too big for this category? Also, I think this is a good crossover example being that the design is very cutting edge, but I guess I feel something more traditional might dress up better. Thoughts?

No doubt Robert. This whole forum is. What do you think we are all doing here? Writing anything on a forum like this on the internet and checking back to see what they say is evidence we are all narcissists. Anyone who wasn't would realize how silly it is and not even bother. Especially anyone who writes and responds to a thread like this. That means you too buddy. Even "normal" posts in the regular discussion sections are more than a little narcissistic. Party "A" writes something disagreeable. Party "B" is compelled to tell him so. Why so compelled I wonder? I'll tell you why: Because he thinks the forum will somehow benefit from reading what he says - and that my freind is textbook narcissism. We've got your number brother. You study me and I'll study us all... It's just rum - forget the eggnog all together...

My best friend is actually one of the biggest collectors in Florida. Lots of everything - complications included. He has nearly 200 pieces and the value is well over a million dollars. I mentioned that once on another board and I got lynched. Like I was bragging about it or something? I don't get it. I mean, sheesh, it is his collection, not mine. Go figure. Anyway, I think it is silly and I tell him so. He never wears any of them and he jast has so much freakin' mosny he doesn't know what to do with it. I tell him he shouldgive it to charity. He has many watches that he has never put on even once. Imagine buying a VC Overseas in all three metals and never wearing any of them? True story. But anyway, it certainly doesn't explain why anyone would think I was puffing by saying it. Just sharing info about a guy I know who loves watches and is over the top. If I had time i would take him up on his offer to photograph them all. He wants to make an album for them. I would just have to find enough time away from the machines to do it. But there are many. many like him in this world. Maybe some people who have never seen it might think I made it up which is why they flamed me. Hard to believe I suppose if you have never seen or heard about real stuff like that. It is easy to get jaded if you live where I live or in NYC where you are, or lots of spots in Cali. Money looks like it actually grows on trees. One wonders where the heck it all comes from?

Excellent. I love the addition of the repeater complication. I don't care if I ever have a tourby, but one day I would like to be able to own a repeater. Design-wise I like that the whole dial side is naked. Most tourby watches only expose the balance and it is nice to see the everything in Cotes de Geneve. Good stuff...

These are all great Pho. I especially love the strap choice on the CW. Perfect...

Not now. It was costed when they shipped it. I'm talking about the unsold inventory now that hasn't sold sitting in AD's. The brand already costed those - see? Nothing changes for them in that case - not the AD who is the dealer. They don't make replacements until they sell so there is no carry trade backed up. The watch biz uses a JIT system for the most part to feed its dealers. With that, they can sit through a lot on their hand without getting too killed. The AD's are another story... And ease up a little brother. This isn't a race...

Thanks Ubi. I have to tell you your number seems a daunting task, but as you say it is all in good fun...

I'll pray for you too. Nothing would make me happier than to see some great UN reps. That way I can afford to get every dial and size variation assuming they make quite a few of them. The watches really are special and I would love it if everyone can get the chance to experience them. To that end I hope they really nail whatver ones they do preserving the world class fit, finish and feel of these pieces. They really are a cut above and they feel even better than they look if that is even possible. Priced in the class of Rolex, IWC, etc... but quality wise more like Lange, Vacheron, AP for a relative song. UN is unique in the watch world IMO.

Thanks Noel. I have but one request. Bust out your camera more and post some more individual shoots of your collection. Given your nearly 50 pieces you could tell many stories with pictures and be a 1000 yourself in no time...

That is the way you do it right there IMO. You and I have similar collecting goals these days Wheat. Small, focused, yet versatile despite limited number. No need for a ton of pieces, just a nice cross section that cover any and all the bases in a few key broad categories. I'm not the biggest PAM guy but I love that 91. All you need now is a your dream gen 5004 and you will be set. I'm sure you will have it soon. Wish I could have sold you mine when I realized it was too big for me. You wear larger watches quite well my friend. Congrats on a great collection!

Yeah, I know what you mean Pho. The sex appeal is really high with this one for me too. Man I hope they rep them all because I'll take as many variations as I can get with this one. I'd gladly devote an entire new watchbox just for UN Marine watches. If it were realistically affordable to buy all the gens I would have done it already. They really are that nice. So let's keep our fingers crossed for these to be repped...

Yes. All should heed the Chief's words here - not just regarding watches but in general. The equities market colapse is fear based and not the real market colapse. That will come when the reality of worthless currencies worldwide settles in. That will happen when printing money no longer solves any problems and the bill comes due at the same time. When that happens the richest man in the world will be the guy with a garage full of 50lb sacks of rice, a zippo, and a 10 year supply of lighter fluid...

Thanks Shundi. I see you just crossed it not so long ago. Then I look at Lani and Bytor and TT and it is a little hard to imagine ever getting there. Oh well. It will be fun that is for sure...

Yeah, the used market is funny like that. I got out just in time. I took big lossesm but nothing compared to what I would have if I happened to time it differently. I recently paired down my gen collection from 20 to 6 only because I never wore most of them. I sold every one of them except one within a week I think and for top dollar based on recent sales plus a good premium for them being in LNIB condition. Plus I had good quality detailed pics that helped "sell" them. I sold a good deal of them on TZ actually. But now? They are sitting longer and selling for a LOT less. Good thing I just sold the last one I'm going to sell I guess...

Yes - on the used stuff. 100% correct. And sorry to the OP I too didn't make that distinction from the new market. The AD's have to do what they have to do to survive, but the manufactories won't be doing it at their level just yet. Plus some brands have to react more than others if they don't have a strong cash position. It will be especially interesting to see what Rolex AD's do as they love to hammerlock dealers and fix pricing. The kings of liquid cash as it were. So many of them must be starving but my friend who is a Rollie AD said today in fact that they have been keeping the presssure on to dealers not to give in to discounting pressures and keep the brand up and above it all - discerning customers and all that stuff. Yeah right. Hungry is hungry if you are a retailer no matter what you sell. The AD's are hurting for sure but Rolex would rather just wait it out then see prices come down. I can't say as I blame them but when the AD's are going out of business they are going to have to see the light at some point. I just hope Rolex doesn't pull the old game of threatening dealers over discounts so much now which they are so famous for. If they found out who those dealers are that continually blow out new Rollies for 25% off all day long they would probably pull their ticket, but they can never prove it...

Ouch. My best advice to you and all is to stay hedged. Tough to make money as a long term investor in these markets but fairly easy not to lose it with effective risk management. Stay on him and best of luck to you. The best thing about big market moves up or down is that the bounce that comes afterwards is always big and fairly easy to find and take advantage of too. I fear that fear itself will keep too many on the sidelines too long and they will miss some of the moves. The 500 of course set a record last week and that is exactly what I'm talking about. Hedged people got to open up and cop all that without being at risk overnight each day...

Thanks Z. I'm right on your heels brother...

Don't tell me you are a trader or an investment banker too?

And as a side note, both rep and gen watches are not all that sensitive to most of the world economic conditions since neither have business models tied to short or long term debt. There is no carry trade. The biggest risk someone like Rolex has right now is not related to borrowing money to buy metals or whatever. Their risk is more related to retailers not selling enough watches. But lowering prices on luxury items generally doesn't spark sales and they know that. They just have to sit on the inventory at their dealers until it sells. But that doesn't really cost them anything - they just can't gain anything until they sell. All those watches were costed out and off the books so to speak the day they left Geneva. So don't look for lower gen prices due to economic conditions. It just doesn't make much sense for them to do it.

+1

Your girl sounds a bit like mine, although mine does have two reps at the moment...

You got that right. But you have to be careful even here. A little of the wrong stuff presented in the wrong tone with even a hint of eliteism and you can get smacked pretty hard on all three forums - even if you were kidding. But RWG is very tolerant of gen collectors for the most part. I think you are also pretty quiet and that is really the key here. I'm pretty controversial and well hated by more than a few so gen posting just gives them another excuse to say I don't belong here. But I don't think you have anything to worry about. That you posted 17 and didn't get one smart-a*sed comment is proof of that. If I ever posted 17 you can rest assured some people would have come out to play. A guy told me today he thinks I post my UN MMD "almost every day" just to prove something. I've got the scars to prove being a loudmouth and posting gens can be a no no. Now that I understand the norms here and what the sensitive buttons are I can still get away with some stuff, but I've had to do alot of backpedding and apologetic explaining to clean up more than a few misunderstandings.