Grail watches ON HOLD: my watch journey, collecting philosophy & when dreams remain dreams
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- Опубліковано 4 жов 2024
- Ever wondered why some grail watches remain dreams rather than acquisitions? Join me on my latest UA-cam video where I dive into my personal watch collecting philosophy. From the allure of the Patek Philippe Aquanaut to the self-imposed limits that keep my passion grounded, I share insights on why sometimes, it's better to admire from afar.
This isn't just about watches - it's about the journey, the restraint, and the joy of the chase and I hope it inspires you to reflect on your own horological journey.
#WatchCollector #Horology #GrailWatches #PatekPhilippe #Rolex #bremont #lange #FPJourne #panerai #jaegerlecoultre #audemarspiguet #vacheron #WatchCommunity #WatchEnthusiast #LuxuryWatches #WatchJourney
Your way of telling is a very relaxing to listen to. Almost like a audio book. Keep on the good work!
Thanks very much.
@@watchenthusiastlondonanother insightful video.
Quick point … it’s pronounced Audemars Piguet (pee-gay) and not (pee-kay)
Best wishes from Singapore
What a pleasure watching and listening to your videos.
Discovering your UA-cam channel has been a delightful surprise. Ordinarily, I refrain from commenting, but your videos possess a particular charm, a cozy and soothing quality that I deeply appreciate. Your storytelling is sensational and highly amusing; listening to your narrations is an absolute pleasure. You should take great pride in your work. It's evident that you have a unique talent that brings joy to many. You seem like the perfect person to enjoy a cup of tea with and engage in a deep conversations.
That’s a lovely thing to write. Thank you.
Your videos are so thoughtfully produced. Your craft of storytelling is as profound as your watch collection.
I too want an FPJ CB, and like you I hesitate to pay over list price for it, and therefore I'll probably never have one.
By a complete fluke almost ten years ago, I managed to find a s/h Octa Automatique RDM - the first automatic watch made by FPJ - sitting unwanted in a watch shop in Amsterdam. It's like a French mirror-image version of the Lange 1. This was a few years before prices went absolutely crazy, and I really couldn't afford to buy one now.
Sometimes, the right watch finds you.
Just stumbled upon your channel recently. I must say, please do not ever stop doing what you are doing here. It is really great!
When dreams should remain dreams. Wonderful philsophy. Thank you so much for sharing. Always a delight.
As always, inspiringly thoughtful!
Yours is such a thoughtful and rational voice in this space of watch collecting, often tied up in hype, specs and other people’s opinions. Yes, you are able to collect at levels most can only dream of, but still your attitude and philosophy is a breath of fresh air for all. Thank you for all of your insight and openness in these videos. It’s a journey indeed!
🙏
Just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to make these videos. They are thoroughly enjoyable.
a very thoughtful collecting journey indeed. Thank you
Excellent video and narration. I love how honest you are with your thoughts, struggles and decision making around the hobby. So good!
Thank you 🙏
Your taste, reasoning and writing are really enjoyable!
Love your videos. I think we have a similar outlook; each purchase becomes 'harder' as you need to consider its position in your whole collection and to avoid overlap with similar themed watches. Wearing only one watch at a time, each new watch will carry an opportunity cost as it takes away wrist time from the other watches.
Yes… I do wonder whether I have a “saturation limit” for watches. In theory, my purchases should slow down 🤪
Thank you. This video essay got me to thinking what I really enjoyed about watches. For me the discovery is more valued than the name on the dial or price. Sadly I have felt the uneasiness of finding yourself with the wrong watch in the wrong place. Great video look forward to the next☮️
Truly enjoyed your watch journey. Watch collecting can easily become an obsession that can rather easily put you in the poor house if you don’t show some degree of restraint. 😊
🎯💯
Absolutely! 🙈
Another interesting story, impeccably presented in a language, which is just a joy to listen to. Phrases like "..a silent conversation that occurred between my ears [..which..] never progressed beyond the rhetorical", are the gems, which by their occasional sparkles, while the story is told, make the listening even more captivating. Obviously, the thoughts presented are the "main course", especially if one had similar thoughts silently passing "between one's ears" (c) ;) For example, during the "rampage phase" of my watch collecting, looking at how I have been adding watches to my collection, my friend urged me to remember that "there is no hard bottom in a swamp". It certainly had a stabilizing effect, but the "final cure" is nowhere near, and probably will not even happen to me, because as a physicist, I always be fascinated by the fact that a complex mesh of tangible 3D objects (gears, springs, etc.) gives you a glimpse into an intangible 4th dimension - time (well, "space-time", to be precise, but let me save it for another stream of consciousness :). As always, thank you, and cheers!
Thank you 😊
@@watchenthusiastlondon The pleasure is mine, it is not that often when you can listen, to a person, who gives you a thought or two, to nibble on :) Listening to your story I realized that my turning off from the AP, despite I had been looking at the Royal Oak long and hard, was not dissimilar to your feeling towards Patek. I changed my mind, when I realized how popular this particular model in the mass "culture" circles, where every rapper and his dog flashes an AP. So it was a sort of a "Scapa Flow moment" for my fascination with Royal Oak. Looking at JLC these days, the moon phase ultra thin. For now it looks like the ONE :) Cheers!
This is a fun video, it's always interesting to hear someone talk about their "gateway" watch, the nostalgia they have for certain brands or models. And, most importantly, WHY they feel the way that they do about certain pieces.
Really enjoyed this video. Only the second one I have watched from your channel but will look through the previous videos.
I mirror your view, replace Lange with Breguet however, Breguet do not covet the same 2nd hand premium Lange do. Similarly, I have never purchased the Breguet tradition (my grail watch) after watching your video I may now understand a bit more why!
I still (despite having Rolex, Breguet, etc) mostly wear my Tag Kirium (which I purchased around 2005) understated, relatively cheap, not even an automatic, but has a certain charm that as my income / buying power grew, I feel more attached to than ever.
Thank you… reading this confirms that I’m not alone ! Grateful for you sharing. 🙏
rich and self aware... a very refreshing combination mate! subscribed!
Thank you. Welcome.
A lovely presentation of your thoughts, intentions, and passions. Thank you for sharing.
That’s kind. Thank you 🙏
You are so right about Lange watches being more obscure to regular people but that makes them more special in a way
💯🎯
Thank You for Your train of thought ... always interesting to follow other peoples journey, especially with such a succinct and professional presentation and a voice that soothing :-) ... while I can relate, I myself gravitate more to FEW pieces but signature ones and I do see again more and more the allure of precious metal.
Regarding precious metal, increasingly I do too 💯
Lots of admiration for your thoughts. I found a lot of truth and honesty in your words, which reflect in similar journey I experience at the moment. Thanks for sharing this video.
Excellent. Delighted I’m not the only one !
Love your content and presentation-fabulous.
Great video and on point.
I’ll say I owned the Chronometre Bleu, loved it and then fell out of love with it.
Perfect on the wrist but sometimes grails lose their luster.
I’ll also share that I swapped an Everose Yachtmaster for an Aquanaut with a buddy at a RedBar meetup and we forgot to switch back at the end of the event. The SS Aqua is perfection on the wrist and remains a grail for me.
Much better on the wrist than my now gone Nautilus.
Thanks for sharing
🫨
Found myself in simultaneous multiple dreams when it comes to this hobby. Thoroughly enjoyed the reflection, glad affirmations is everyone's true grail.
I hope to have the same problem you have in the future. Being able to buy any watch you want !!!! Congrats
Sometimes the journey is better than arriving
I think we all look forward to one of your philosophical episodes, and I can certainly relate to the enjoyment or at least appreciation of watches that I will never own. In my case not because I can actually buy them. It's more of a perhaps. But these pauses encourages me to enjoy the ones I do own and lets face it...there is only so much wrist time to allocate to each of them. Was so happy to see this pop up on my subscriber feed today!
Brilliant. Thank you for sharing.
I like to think of it a bit more like art. You can see it, appreciate it, but you don't need to own it to experience it. You get a great deal out of just learning and appreciating the craft and artistry that goes into it. Not much more is needed really. If you want to purchase on occasion, its more like patronage than consumption.
This is a really good video! It was very thought provoking and I’m glad you made it! In that spirit:
You care entirely too much what other people think. Be that the amount of people who wear Rolex, the “club” PR construction of Bremont (and the fact that the brothers failed in their goal, but that’s a deep conversation about what counts as “in house”) or indeed about Lange.
I honestly couldn’t care less what other people wear or how popular it is. For example one of my collection focuses is GMTs, like yours! I have one of every main 4-5-6 digit references and a few variations. I buy and wear them because it brings me joy (not to mention I inherited my 4 digit one from my dad).
I’ve commented on your previous video about the dangers of wearing watches in London. I’ve worn my Royal Oak with just a T-shirt in places the daily Mail etc sensationally call “no-go” areas. I’m really glad to hear you’re acknowledging that it’s an anxiety, as is what other people think of your collection truth be told.
Your philosophy of collecting the iconic pieces (or as I put it “start outwards and work your way in”) is very very good! I honestly think that’s the best and intentional way to collection. Iconic pieces are iconic for a reason.
I’m reminded of John Mayer when he talked about Jay Leno’s car collecting. “He could turn up in a fire truck and it would be okay because he’s Leno”. Just like John wears a submariner or steel Royal Oak or even a Tudor and people don’t think he’s wearing “something everyone else does” because he knows.
Oddly enough the aquanaut is to you what the chronometre Bleu is to me! I love it, I appreciate it but I don’t think I’d ever actually get one. A resonance? Absolutely! A octa Luna? Possibly. And that’s okay.
Thank you again for this video and I hope you make another soon! Maybe we’ll cross paths sometime (like at Redbar!)
Really enjoyable thanks
You’re welcome.
Cb as your first fp from the boutique? Wish you the best of luck! Could be a very long wait..
So I’m gathering… 😏
@watchenthusiastlondon please read my comment below.
As much as I would wish that you can get one at retaill, per my multiple conversations with the boutique I was pretty much told that is not going to happen "as my first watch" (SAME story for Elegante 48....these two watches now go only to 'established clients' and still with a long waiting time. I get your philosophy....
......but *life is too short* and I work hard, so I bought the CB as well as the Elegante 48 on the secondary market last month, ....SPECIFICALLY, after my latest conversion with the boutique.
Best of luck in your search
@@CaptainRolexare you pleased that you bought them both and have they lived up to your expectations ?
I think you’d enjoy taking a look at something from Jaeger LeCoutre’s doumetre line, their finish work is amazing for the price point
Will do. Thank you for the suggestion 🙏
Agree with it all.I love not being a Rolex wearer.I’m more in the low 2/3 grand area and would love a zenith,reverso or speedy but cant justify the price..so its Longines,super sea wolf,code 41 and others and I’m happy and so are the people that view them.
Brilliant video. Candid, thought-provoking, insightful.
Thank you 🙏
Great story as always. Love all your videos.
Thank you for your video. I enjoyed listening to your thoughtful commentary.
I suffered a similar price-sensitivity as well as a similar enjoyment from inexpensive watches as I do expensive….and ended up finding a lot of enjoyment in modified Seiko watches.
I’m sure it’s a phase….but it’s an enjoyable and cheap one to be in….and is pretty much guilt-free!
💯🎯
The dream itself ❤
I just found this channel and to be honest I wish I documented my journey like you did. My watch journey started early with a casio in middle school, then a Tag. Then there was a big gap before I spent my first internship paycheck on a GMT. Then it was years before I started expanding my collection and I also quickly decided to stick with the most iconic models from each brand, with the added filter that I must be able to see myself wearing the watch at least one day a week on average for at least a year. Over the course of about a decade, I basically went through the usual grails with a long phase of large number of basically every omega vintage model I could find. I also ended up not wearing the Nautilus and RO at one when they became hype beasts. I've since gifted some to friends and family since and find myself indulging in buying way cheaper but interesting watches that I know I will enjoy for only a short while and then gift away.
Your story about your relationship with your first Rolex is so relatable. Had a very similar experience with my Omega Seamaster Titanium Chronograph until I discovered independent horology in 2010 and buying my prized A. Lange & Sohne followed by a Breguet
Stumbled upon this video. Possibly the best watch journey video I’ve seen on UA-cam. Subscribed.
Thank you.
I did this with a Datograph. It wears better in the minds eye, and as a 'someday' for myself then an actual acquisition. Why? Because it's incredible but also a bit silly to wear in all but the rarest of occasions. I have about 10 watches from Lange to Patek to Omega and Tudor .. and you know what I grab every day? The bog basic Tudor GMT. Watches are for wearing... and I'm going to buy what I wear -- regardless of the status or what I can afford.
I feel like it would makes this hobby less exciting if you just get them all, without any further consideration. I don't have the same budget as you do, I'm more on seiko budget but I promise myself to not get any other Seiko since I already own one. It's not about their watch, they're great at making entry level watches but it's to make my collection more colorful with different brands and watch categories. My grail watch is Omega Seamaster 300 heritage, that'd mean that I won't ever pursue other luxury diver watches or other Omega watches.
It's interesting take by you who has the budget to get them all but hold yourself back from doing so. Good on you to have a self regulation! Thanks for sharing your story.
Thanks for sharing. Appreciate that. 🙏
indeed top 1 concern on getting an expensive watch is not that its not available but that its a target in today's world. also highly respect for NOT buying over MSRP in secondary market. share the same sentiment. if only all shared the same, watches would be reasonable priced.
Excellent video, I have taken to wearing a Montblanc Minerva 16.29 for the exact same reason. The 16.29 is completely camouflaged as a regular MB, but turn it over and its magical.
Brother from another mother! I wear the white gold Villeret 1858 Ref 106166! Greatest watch I’ve ever owned and I don’t think anything will ever match it.
Love that blue dialed JLC. Great video.
Inspiring perspective!
What’s yours ?
@@watchenthusiastlondon Starting to evolve in your direction. Will only buy if I don't have something similar, and only if I will wear it.
Very nice narrative and story. I gradually focused on 1960s sports icons (5513, 321, Autavia and some/many of their siblings) as they make my childhood memories surface. Powerful emotions. A 2024 Patek can't do that. Within the collection structure today, I do have a top 3 on my wishlist. I don't need all 3, but it needs to be an exceptional condition one, and sometimes an opportunity can slip away. But then there is also 3 unattainable ones, that I will never buy (Rolex 6542, Omega 2915, Rolex 5517 - all over 100K), but seriously thinking which exact ones are your unattainable ones, identifying them, in a way helps completing - specifically - the structure of those you own, and those you dream of. Both are important as they make acquisition strategy sensible and clearer. Illumination !
Love your videos and I couldn’t agree more with the more recent London situation.
Totally agree your view on change in buying behavior especially due to the surge of watch crime. In fact I was being robbed in Brussels just few days ago and lost my tudor black bay pro. Honestly I really don't know if I am going to buy another luxury watch again. Not because I can't afford but I don't want to wear anything which may make me become a target. It is really sad to lose this hobby due to this reason. Anyway great content as always.
Sorry to hear. It’s got to the stage where it’s no longer about being unlucky / in the wrong place at the wrong time… Sad.
Thank you for the kind comment. 🙏
Your tone and cadence always make me feel like I’m listening to a Neil Gaiman audiobook. So relaxing. Really interesting to hear this perspective on collecting, especially as someone whose most expensive watch was $500.
Not sure who he is, but I’ll take it as a compliment. Thanks for tuning in. 🙏
Great video thank You make sense
Pleased to hear. You’re welcome.
Would like a Rolex can't be doing with the b.s from AD. Has for a grail watch it got to be a Rolex 5513 with the 369 dial wow now that a dream 😂😂😂👍
New to the channel. Very good narration in addition to cinematography. I think you are discovering everyone has a budget. I started in high school with a Seamaster after watching a James Bond. Progressed to a two-tone Sub in my 20s. Then Apple Watch for years (sorry). Now getting back into it. Got a Speedmaster, a GS, Hamilton, aspiring to a LANGE 1. I see how/why you’re avoiding PP, AP, VC. They’re unjustifiably expensive. Entry point for VC is doable at least from their website, and as you acknowledge, so is the Royal Oak in steel. PP is off limits, as are many models from all these makes. FPJ and Blancpain are doable entrywise. This is primarily due to buyers from the one place in the world where there is money. They are buying everything up. Same reason why Rolex shops have no product. But who wouldn’t want a 5270J Grand Complications added to his Grail list?
Glad you found my channel. Welcome aboard. 😊
Time to go outside your comfort zone. Maybe let someone else choose something for you.. sometimes I've been given things I wouod NEVER buy myself, but slowly discover I really like them
Well, if you’re happy to gift me a watch, I’d happily accept… 😉
It is better to travel than arrive!
Your channel is such an honest and refreshing touchpoint in a hobby that has become increasingly untrustworthy and ugly in the past few years. Thanks for that.
My current dream setup for watches as of right now would be: a Sinn 856 UTC for every day, a Nomos Clubsport 39 in smoke as my baby and an Apple Watch Ultra 2 to trash around for anything fitness. And to be clear: I'm open to wearing two watches at the same time like the Sinn & the Apple Watch on a hike for example.
Love the Sinn 856 UTC. Not seen it before. Thanks for sharing. For a while, I tried wearing an Apple Watch. Got fed up of having to charge it so frequently…
An excellent video. I’m glad I stumbled across your channel given your insightful discussion. Fortunately I have a small wrist and limited funds which excludes many watches that I would otherwise love to have in my collection and that lets me ignore them. I’d like an IWC Portugiser Chronograph (especially the new white gold with polar blue dial) and I deliberately avoid going into their Bond St boutique just in case they fit my wrist. I have an obsession with blue dials too! I have no problem wearing my Explorer 36mm in London though - it slips under a shirt sleeve and is largely invisible - but sometimes don’t wear my Planet Ocean in case some idiot criminal thinks it’s a Rolex.
happy for you, i aspire to be able to afford anything i like as well
🙏
I think I can safely attribute my watch collecting journey to you. As I have OCD propensities, I’m not sure that’s a good thing, but there it is. I find your attitude to the Aquanaut quite interesting - still can’t work out whether you admire it, but it doesn’t speak to you; or is it inverse snobbery because of the predictability of owning a Patek? (I had similar views towards possessing the ubiquitous Rolex, but have now succumbed: 2-3 more models, and I’m done with Rolexes…).
A pleasure to listen to, as always.
Would you do a collection video?
🤔
Great video! I’m not sure the last time you contacted your local boutique, but the CB is no longer a piece FPJ produce. If you still aspire to own one, grey market/auction is currently the only option.
Oh. It was recently… that’s not something they told me, although my expectations were well and truly “managed”…
Still in production per my very recent visit to the boutique. However, it was reduced from previous 150+ per year to around only 50 per year.
As such, it will be available only to well established, existing, long term clients (and they will still have to wait "years")
i.e, together with Elegante, it is virtually impossible to buy as *a first watch* for a new aspiring FPJ owner, who wishes to purchase from FPJ at MSRP.
"Able to afford pretty much any watch I choose"
Would love to know what you do for a living Mr W. E. London - so I can follow in your footsteps!
Spot on,thanks for sharing.Totally agree on PP,after my experience with their service center in HK,I’ll never buy a watch from them again.
Oh dear. What happened?
There’s only one watch I want .. The Rose Gold Kingsman from Bremont. It’s impossible to get so it will only ever remain a dream. So, it’s not so much a self-imposed limitation as a self imposed impossibility. Though .. I couldn’t afford it even if one did rear itself 😉
Always interesting hearing your take on watches and why you choose them. Your Bremont 1918 is a beautiful piece 😍
Thank you
well, if you had a rolex gmt master II as your first, it literally could have served you for a lifetime
Aquanaut is a great watch at RRP/MSRP but a terrible value at second hand prices.
The Lange watches here really steal the show for me. I tell myself a lie that if/when I can purchase a Lange, I won't need to buy any more watches.
I’ve followed this channel since its start and I have to say that it’s always a pleasure to listen to your reasoning and thoughts.
Have you ever looked at the parmigiani watch brand? I’ve never really had a grail watch until I saw their tonda PF
I have… the Tonda was the one that caught my eye… beautiful. Oddly, when I got hands on it didn’t meet my expectations. Have you been ‘hands on’?
@@watchenthusiastlondon Unfortunately I don't live in a country where they have a dealership, so I haven't been able to see it in person and to be honest it is a bit out of my price range. What part of it was lacking? To me it seems like a perfect "one and done" watch.
However I am looking to purchase a Dornbluth & sohn, but i have yet to choose which quintus model i want to configure.
@@Nivdeifyit was really strange. I held it and wore it briefly in a shop in Cannes. Prior, I was excited about it… and yet it was such a disappointment. Hard to explain why (it could have been the lights in the shop) but it felt cheap. Can’t be certain on one short experience but I was so disappointed because I wanted to love it. 🤷♂️😔
14 well-heeled men at a stag do. 13 Rolexes and one Bremont, and it made you feel special. Jesus wept!
🎯💯💪
Let's all be honest with ourselves, shall we? The Aquanaut is as dull as dishwasher.
Wow. What are your watch grails?
@@watchenthusiastlondon A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Perpetual “Homage to F. A. Lange” in 18-carat honeygold. Now, that's a watch to actually get excited about.
@@airstripone2419that’s a beautiful watch and a bit of a technical wonder, but it’s large & not hugely wearable IMHO.
Have you ever considered a watch by Roger Smith? Seems to me to be the apex of British watchmaking and follows in the wonderful tradition of Daniels' craftsmanship. Might still have to wait a while for it but he involves the buyer in the process and they can truly be a part of bringing a beautiful timepiece to fruition.
Yes, I have considered Roger Smith… couldn’t quite make up my mind on which of the watches to I most liked… really ought to go to see him and try on first hand.
You're a quintessential Englishman and make me wish I had gone into finance instead of my current job haha!
Me too, I'm in healthcare, I could cry when I open my payslip each month 😩
It's a crying shame that you feel unsafe wearing the things you love. I live in Manchester and refuse to let these scumbags sway my decisions. My closet friend on the other hand , whom coincidentally has the same GMT master 2 as yours in his collection, which he bought in the 90s, simply refuses to wear it. It upsets me greatly. Like you i can take great please from more value watches. I have a UK limited ediition Squale 1545 dive watch, its the least costly of my watches at about £900 but i love the damn thing. I do have an eye on the Saxonia Thin. Which i would say is my Grail.
I love your videos, I'm sure they help you rationalise this hobby of ours. I look forward to more videos.
Agree with what you say 💯
"If I buy this watch, when will I wear it?" has killed most watch purchases for me before they even start. The problem is I have so many watches that anything I might want to buy already has a analogue in my collection thus making the purchase redundant. Then there's the fact that every watch purchase from basically the beginning has been a lie to myself. _If I buy this watch I will wear it all the time and for years_ yet my satisfaction always has an expiration date and I find myself eyeing the next one. That alone stops me frequently, knowing it won't change how I feel. What I need, really need, is that one watch that satisfies all considerations and that I never lose interest in and frankly, I don't believe it even exists.
😂 Very funny and sadly all too true ! Thank you... but that’s where I am right now, although you may have just nudged me further along my journey…
While buying watches is a hobby, it can still be a dangerous one when you dip your toes in, £200 seems a lot at first and then £5000 seems 'affordable' and so on. As watch enthusiasts, numbers become very relative because it is easy to look at the most expensive watches like the Dufour or the highly desirable PP and then think that £15,000 is not too much for a JLC Perpetual Calendar Moon, Rose Gold, house movement and the length of the power reserve.
Collecting watches has become more popular and looking at overwhelming collections trivialises putting a lot of your salary in this.
If you really live in London, walking around with a PP on is tempting fate.
Sad, but true IMHO. Especially in short sleeves… 😔
Pole Position !!!
Timing is everything… 😉
F.p. journe is maybe my favourite "brand". But never going to buy one. Rather buy motorcycles for "low" prices, which I can afford. But if had money why not Journe. Just art.
Love this video. Keep up the good work. Can you even get a chronometre bleu without entry level purchases?
I think it IS the entry level… (at least, I think it certainly used to be)😳
Will let you know, in time to come!
@@watchenthusiastlondon Just goes to show how out of touch I am with this brand 🤣 all the best mate hope it arrives sooner rather than later!
Huh, did i nearly miss another watch audiobook
I really enjoy seeing your views. But you have never said, why the watches you like are always some expensive fancy ones. I have a Citizen pilot watche that costs CHF 150 and I like it way more than many Rolex watches. I will maybe upgrade to the a-a13 quarz, as it just looks so much nicer, than any watch I habe seen
I do have some expensive fancy watches, however I also have some that aren’t. If you watch other videos I have made, you’ll find reference to them. By way of example, I did a review of a Timex a few weeks ago : Discovering the Timex Marlin Jet: A High-End Collector's Take on Affordable Space-Age Elegance
ua-cam.com/video/NdllGkrKtR4/v-deo.html
I tend to feel that it’s a ‘mood’ thing, as to what I choose to wear. And I sometimes surprise myself.
May I know what you do for a living to afford these timepieces?
These days I run a UA-cam channel 😉
“A Patek would bring about unwanted heat whilst out and about in London.” Oh get over yourself! Great review though.
Soon all automatic calibre will use this type of calibre ........
A Rolex GMT Master II for 6 weeks of salary? Times have changed or your first job was one heck of a job haha.
I paid £1,745 for mine in 1990…
How many years does FP journe have left in his career? If you like the chronometre blue you should buy it now! Consider the premium as an exit watch from collecting. You will find that you actually saved money and wore the watch you wanted most.
Interesting. That’s the second time I’ve heard the phrase “exit watch”. You might well be right, but for me, the story is important and the brand hasn’t embraced me in any meaningful way, which matters. Hence, I’d rather pass than pay a premium and dream on instead…
@@watchenthusiastlondon you’re not paying the brand, you’re paying the owner who had better access to it. The field is never level and sometimes you have to accept unfair reality. I waited for my GMT II( Batgirl)for 3 years before I had to buy it on the grey market. scarcity of the chronometre bleu watch is not going to get any better and Mr. Journe as I understand is in his 70s. When he stops working his watches are going to multiply in value, I didn’t buy any of his watches cuz I don’t like the hands on them. I love the movements but I don’t like the dials or the hands. I know it’s subjective but so is the whole hobby of watch collecting. I am only interested in one watch from Journe which is the Elegante and I am willing to pay the 2.5-3x the value it commands in the grey market. However, I have a long list of Pateks that I need to buy before I get to Journe. I bought a Patek 5167A in the grey market for double the MSRP and I love it. I have a neo- vintage Calatrava that’s only 35 mm and I wear it only with suits and I love it too. I will gift it to my daughter when she graduates high school. I’m looking into a world time and an annual calendar from Patek and then I’ll get to the Elegante. I love some of the Lange watches you have especially the 1815 and the Lange 1. The Zeitwerk on the other hand is a bit too thick and large for my liking as much as I appreciate the mechanics of it.I watch all your videos, your story telling is eloquent, and your thought process is admirable. Please keep on the great work you’re doing on the channel! Best of luck in your watch collecting journey and hope you wear all these watches in good health.
@@watchenthusiastlondon Your position stated another way: if you’re going to spend that much money on something, shouldn’t the company actually be interested in having you as a customer?
are you using someone else’s video???
Some of the time, yes… But mostly from websites combined with some of mine, mixed with Hodinkee, Adrian Barker and Watchfinder
i don't get the watch community's obsession with the steel integrated sports watch. They all look bland and identical.
Seconded.
This small Button auto calibre, China have them, can say copy or whatever , the Pattern right is not valid anymore
Why don't you do what we do on this side of the pond when heading into dodgy neighborhoods..... carry your firearm?
You must have a lot of money. Anyone who would waste their money on a rolex when that cash could have bought a real timepiece... Have a need to impress the mechanic who changes your oil, wear a rolex...