Are you a 'classic' watch person, or a 'modern' enthusiast?

[mezzanine]

Do you prefer the classic, more traditional style of watches- like Rolex or Panerai- or are you more in tune with the modern watches like the SFSO, Hublot Big Bang, and Cousteau?

I've found that my tastes are changing. I was much more enthusiastic about modern watches, mostly because I wanted to avoid the whole problem of the 'fake rolex' that seems to be associated with reps in the general populous. Also, most of the best reps are done of modern watches. Almost all of the "super reps" are replicas of watches that are recent releases.

I like the technological aspects that come with some of those watches, like AR coating, inner-rotating bezels, dial textures, etc...

But....my tastes are changing. I'm starting to really dig some of the classic vintage pieces. If you'd told me that I'd be looking at simplicity and classic styling, I wouldn't have believed it.

Some people talk about how, as time goes on, they'll start to mix in some gen watches into their collection. It starts to become more about the time piece, and wanting to have a watch that is of high quality. I think that this motivation adds to the appeal of the vintage classics.

I'm always going to have a spot for the moderns...but they're going to be balanced out by some classic pieces. After receiving my first modded MBK rollie, I'm convinced that the ability to create an accurate rep of the sport vintage Rolex divers is one of the cooler things available to us in this hobby-

[predfan2001]

My taste is not nessesarily directed towards classic or modern. I just like plain and simple, no gold and no chronographs.

My favorites are classic brands, diving or military style.

[frankt]

I used to like Rolex styles, now I'm only buying Panerais...."You know...you grow"... :rofl:

[Victoria]

I'm always going to have a spot for the moderns...but they're going to be balanced out by some classic pieces. After receiving my first modded MBK rollie, I'm convinced that the ability to create an accurate rep of the sport vintage Rolex divers is one of the cooler things available to us in this hobby-

Classic for a lady means traditionally Cartier and Rolex DJs. Modern these days means ceramic watches like the J12 (and Technomarines, of which there are scant few reps).

My tastes had a strange evolution. When young, classic. As I grow older, more avant garde. Just before finding reps, I had bought a Nixon watch monstrosity which looks like an aluminium fridge from planet Mongo.

I still like modernist lines, but I'm back to the classics save for Panerai.

But then Panerai is a strange blend of the art deco and oversized modern. It's a marque whose time has come.

[V]

Yeap.. historic panerai (and especially 112) because it combines both Classic and Modern

[By-Tor]

I'm probably more a "classic watch" person. I know for sure that I don't like the oversized (45mm range) watches at all. Even the Aquaracer chrono is pushing it (at 43.5mm). 40-42mm is the ideal watch size, imho.

People say that when you get used to huge watches there's no going back. But for me it has been completely opposite. I sold my UPO and I'm back to classic sizes. Explorer II looks a bit untrendy and old fashioned at 39mm, but I think it will look great in 2030 as well... while something like XXL PO will look just silly.

This has nothing to do with wrist size or anything, the huge watches are just "out of balance" to my eye. Trends, all trends.

I know this wasn't a size question, but most new models are getting bigger and bigger.

[mezzanine]

V, you seriously have to stop showing pics of that strap. I don't know what you're trying to do, exactly, but it's starting to get a little distracting, and I think it's only fair that you should stop posting pics. Maybe you get a kick out of derailing threads, I'm not sure, but I feel that the mods are neglecting their duties here...

By-Tor, very interesting comment about the issue of watch size. I don't own a PO. If one came up in the FS forum that had a double-AR coated crystal, I'd consider it if it was the 42mm edition...but otherwise, probably the most popular rep of the last couple of years is not on my list.

When I first received the uPO, I was in heaven. Then I sold it to a buddy who was head-over-heels about it, and missed it, so I got another one. I couldn't stand it. I didn't like the way it sat on my wrist. If you're going to make a very large watch, it better conform to the wrist in a natural way.

I like large watches, but I find that there are few that are large and appear natural on the wrist. I do believe that this is relevant to the thread, because as you said, even classic models are being revised so that they are larger. The Patek Nautilus is an example, but it would almost be more useful to talk about the exceptions. In that case, I think Rolex is the quintessential brand that defies that type of movement towards size.

Vic, do you have a ceramic J12? I'm thinking of getting one for the girl, and I love the way that the polished ceramic looks on my HBB. I've shown her a pic of the black and the white Chanel, and she likes the black one.

Classic for women does seem to be more restricted. The pams are a great option- they combine a lot of the modern and classic elements and I don't think they're gender-specific, really. If I were to see a girl out wearing a Pam, I would be intrigued- that is one circumstance under which I find disproportionately larger watches attractive.

[Victoria]

V, you seriously have to stop showing pics of that strap. I don't know what you're trying to do, exactly, but it's starting to get a little distracting, and I think it's only fair that you should stop posting pics. Maybe you get a kick out of derailing threads, I'm not sure, but I feel that the mods are neglecting their duties here...

It's so beautiful, and my own Metta Catharina was so messed up, that I actually purchased another last night which V is aware of. All due to his photos, and the heads up of the ever generous K2222.

Vic, do you have a ceramic J12? I'm thinking of getting one for the girl, and I love the way that the polished ceramic looks on my HBB. I've shown her a pic of the black and the white Chanel, and she likes the black one.

As featured in one of the Wristchecks, we (mum and me share it) have the J12 Superleggera bought from a member here. This particular black ceramic J12 is very beefy. If you can, make sure she wears it beforehand. I think the white one will suit most ladies a little better.

The white one IS growing on us, though we always said never to the J12s because every woman I know, has one.

Classic for women does seem to be more restricted. The pams are a great option- they combine a lot of the modern and classic elements and I don't think they're gender-specific, really. If I were to see a girl out wearing a Pam, I would be intrigued- that is one circumstance under which I find disproportionately larger watches attractive.

Because Panerai lines are like a woman's lines. Shapely.

They are Sophia Loren's figure complimenting Marcello Mastroianni's machismo.

[scoobs1971]

I think I'm more of a 'modern classic' watch person I really love Panerai (the simple models), IWC (Pilots and Portuguese line) and Jaeger Le Coultre (Master Control and Master Compressor line) .

PP, VC and Breguet are a bit too classic, while I don't like the ultra modern models like the HBB or most modern Zenith watches.

[POTR]

If it is at least as old as I am, I love it. Modern watches that keep to classic features are on my list as well. I also like big watches, because they actually look "normal-sized" on me, but I don't go overboard chasing them, not going to buy big just for the sake of buying big.

[KB]

Me? I'm just a watch lover and that leaves me no room to compartmentalize my tastes, if I see a watch I like (and I am in the right financial position) I buy it, be it classic, modern or fantasy.

Ken

[mezzanine]

What I realize is that both vintage and modern watches have their own particular advantages in the rep world.

For example, the moderns are usually more elaborate and sophisticated chronographs. They are created using modern machining technology, and as a result, there has been a development in the level of technical capability of watch makers both gen and rep. This results in watches that are stylistically impressive, and with strong sex appeal because of the 'newness' of their release.

I always figured that it would be impossible for rep makers to do the vintage watches as well, as I assumed that the simplicity of the vintages makes the quality of the parts used even more significant. With the moderns, a lot of times they're able to get the 'look', but not the finish and feel of the real thing. What makes collecting vintage reps so appealing to me, personally, is that the 'age-ing' effect of creating the look of an older watch is one of the most convincing ways to make a watch look genuine. I know that's not what it's all about, but before actually handling one, I don't think I believed it was really possible to achieve the worn appearance of a 40 year old watch.

Vic, thanks for the guidance on the christmas-watch-selection decision I've got looming. It's funny, because *I* like the white J12 quite a lot, but for some reason she wasn't very excited about it. She likes the diamond bezel, so she's all about the bling.

[cleobis]

hmm...I'm more of a classic watch guy, but I also like the HBB:) I just don't like the gold and diamands and all the bling in watches,also don't like rolex. I must admit that I never understood what all the thing about rolexes are....I can't find them nice, sorry

Pam is a good choice between classic and modern looks

[mezzanine]

If you had told me when I first started out here that I would have a couple of Rolex reps, I would not have believed you. I would not even have considered it for a second...something about them seemed try-hardish, and I didn't like the idea that they're so commonly thought to be fake.

But the vintage bug got me. A really well done vintage rollie has an appeal that none of the modern Rolex watches have for me. The acrylic domed crystals, the tritium markers, the gen parts- they have a unique look that is distinctive to their age when they're done right. The history of these watches is what eventually brought me on-side. As I've become more interested in watches, and their history, the incredible influence that these subs have had on WIS folklore can't be overstated.

[freddy333]

When I used to dress more fashionably & brand-aware (think Bruce Willis/Daniel Craig), my watch collection tended towards modern/high tech (think AP Royal Oak or Panerai/Ferrari with more black dials). After I developed a more classic style of dress (think Cary Grant/Sean Connery), my watch collection also took a turn towards the classics (think steel Rolex or Calatrava Patek with more white dials).

[TeeJay]

I'd say Classic, but I'd clarify that by saying 'simplicity' is more my preference. My taste in watches has certainly evolved over the past year where, this time last year, I'd been wearing my Sub for a while, and looking to get an Omega as a replacement, settling on the Planet Ocean as seen in Casino Royale. For a while, it was fun wearing "James Bond's watch", but I began to develop a taste for the extreme simplicity of the PAMs... Just to touch on size, I've found that the first time I tried on watches of PAM size, I initially felt they were a bit too big, and would go back to the Sub-size. Then I bought the Planet Ocean Big Size, and didn't have a problem with it. The first time I wore a PAM, I wasn't immediately 'grabbed by the balls' by it, and when returning one with a faulty power reserve, swapped it for an Omega as a gift, and didn't order another 111h for some time. When I did re-order a 111h, I absolutely loved it. So much so, that I've hardly worn my Planet Ocean since it arrived... When I first tried on a 127 (originally intended as my birthday watch) I felt it was nice, but too large for 'everyday wear', and, as the CG Lever had a flaw, that was returned and exchanged for a PVD 111g, which I adapted to incredibly quickly, but, did feel that it 'wore smaller' than it's SS Twin, simply because of the color difference. An unexpected commission, and I decided to treat myself to another 127 as a collection item/occasional wear watch, but, as with my first experience with the 111h, where it didn't immediately grab me, this time, it did indeed, and it has become a firm favorite. I'd go so far as to say that, unless I had to wear a suit, it might even be my 'daily wear' watch. All the time it's worn with a T Shirt or rolled sleeves, the size isn't such an issue, and, dial wise, I prefer the aesthetic of the combined 111/112 dial, and prefer the sandwich layers rather than the sausage dial on the PVD 111g. Fortunately, my fiance (who bought the 111g for me) feels the 127 looks better, so I can wear it without fear of being called ungreatful over my birthday present All I need now, is the bordeaux strap, and it'll be perfect Is the watch big? Obviously Does it dwarf my wrist or 'go over the edges'? Not at all. Most of all though, (even with the second sweep) it still has incredibly clean, simple lines, which, although not an 'Oyster-style' dive watch, it certainly still has the feel of a 'classic watch'

Edited December 9, 2007 by TeeJay

[Dani]

My taste in watches is complex and changes all the time.

But my favorite type watch is chronos like this one from JLC.

Cheers,

[V]

V, you seriously have to stop showing pics of that strap. I don't know what you're trying to do, exactly, but it's starting to get a little distracting, and I think it's only fair that you should stop posting pics. Maybe you get a kick out of derailing threads, I'm not sure, but I feel that the mods are neglecting their duties here...

Ok I 'll stop.. sometime ...but it is now 8 DAYS that I haven't changed strap to my 112... My longest record by FAR

[Xyphis]

Not sure.

My rep watch list is now in my signature.

So into what category do I fit at this time?

[hambone]

My taste in watches runs the same as my taste in art. Eclectic. There are so many beautiful watch styles and it is

impossible for me to be nailed down to a specific look. Variety is the life of spice. or something like that.

[Mark Eleven]

My rep collection has changed a lot the past few years. From more than 20 reps at one time, it has gone down to only one earlier this year, and now my rep collection has increased to include more and more classics and vintages, like Speedy Pro, DRSD and 5513.

So perhaps I'm a classic type.