re: Another OT watch thread: first luxury watch

The Rolex looks nice.

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Rolex Milguass with black face and orange lightning bolt second hand

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Oddly enough the correct name for the Milgauss second hand is Thunderbolt. They weren't on the original 1019 Milgauss but started with the 6541. Some of the first 6541s were delivered with the straight 1019 second hand.

The 6541 is one of my 2 Rolex grails:

#2 is a tropical dial (faded from black to brown) 6541 Milgauss. The honeycomb dial and Thunderbolt handset make it so cool, also it is very rare. Probably pushing $250k at auction for a specimen like below.



#1 is a Zerographe. They are beyond rare. I would have a hard time choosing between the black dial with "California" numerals or a white dial, especially one with the radiation burns on the dial like the one below, if only it had stopped at 10 past 10. Figure $400k-500k at auction for either depending on who is bidding.

JLC Reverso

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JLC Reverso

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The Reverso in its many iterations is a watch I like very much. Despite being originally designed as a sports watch in the '30s it always strikes me as a perfect gentlemen's dress watch. The reversing face can reveal a display back, another face of a different color, and enameled caseback or a solid one that can be engraved simply or elaborately.











One thing about the Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso besides being able to properly pronounce the name of something you wear is despite its rather small face size the rectangular nature can give people with small to average size wrists fits and definitely is a watch that needs to be tried on. The long lug to lug can easily to too long for many being too close to or hanging over the edge of the wrist. I have a 7" wrist but it is very wide and flat and most Reversos just fit. To complicate it more the strap had a piece, in the end, to make sure it flows away from the lugs so it can't turn down immediately which means aftermarket straps look odd on them as well as making for a poor fit on some smaller wrists. Outside of that they are great but one should also consider the Cartier Tank Francaise.

I was really surprised that my friend had to pay >$9k over retail for an ‘unworn’ YG Daytona. He tried through ADs and they were talking 18 months with no alotted production date. He wanted the green dial and they simply couldn’t promise they’d ever make them just like that again. They certainly are a modern De Beers with their aura of exclusivity.

I tried to talk him into the WG with a steel dial:

But it just didn’t have the look he was going for:

What is your budget? 5k, 10k, 15k?

Rolex submariner is a great classic choice, as is the datejust. Split the difference with the Yachtmaster. I have it with blue dial, but be warned-- the platinum bezel is a scratch magnet.

Omega- > don't own Aqua Terra, but its a gorgeous watch. I do have a seamaster planet ocean with the 8500 coaxial movement and its a great watch (but a different style than the A-T, more of a beefy dress diver... tone it down by going 42mm instead of the 45.5)

IWC-- don't own an IWC, but if you go that route, the Portuguese is an absolute icon. I recommend the blue numerals though, thank me later

Good luck with your choice. Check out the watchuseek forums for other great recs

Omega Seamaster Diver 300

You could always mix it up and get a hulk sub or gmt master. I got an air king a few years back and love it. Also have an Omega seamaster coaxial which is solid too.

Thanks a ton, there are many good choices in the Swiss watch world