Trying On Grail Watches: Lange, Patek, AP, RM

1WatchMan · 2019-08-16T14:29:13Z

1WatchMan shares his experience trying on grail watches: A. Lange & Söhne Datograph, Patek Philippe 5070, 5270, AP ROO JPM, and RM005, sparking a collector's dilemma.

1WatchMan

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

30 replies6209 views6 photos

1WatchMan shares a common collector's dilemma: the sleepless night after trying on several grail-worthy watches. His post details a spontaneous visit to a dealer, showcasing a range of high-end pieces from A. Lange & Söhne, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Richard Mille, prompting a reevaluation of his collection plans.

30 collectors discussing this on the WatchProSite forumJoin the Conversation →

You know what I mean: your brain working non-stop trying to assess all the options, pros and cons the whole night.

And why? - I ask to myself - I'm very happy with my current collection and have a few plans for the near future, so why do I need to continue watching around and complicate things? Well, we all know the answer to this question.

I'm enjoying a weekend trip with my wife, and during her "shopping time", I planned to visit a watch dealer which seemed to have quite an interesting stock.

Please, have a look with me. Sorry for the very poor pictures but I took them very quickly not to bother the kind salespeople too much.

First, I tried on this gorgeous Lange Datograph in RG. Objectively, it would be a great addition to my collection, considering the brand, the movement and the color of the metal. It's also my wife's favourite...

Second, I tried this 5070 YG. I must confess that this version is not for me, but I can say that now I understand why this reference is so beloved. I really look forward to seeing other versions in the future.

The third and fourth were these two beautiful 5270Gs, with old (001) and new (018) dials, respectively. Initially, I liked the 018 more, but the I believe I prefer the 001 on the wrist, with its dark hands and markers. Definitely two watches to die for that make me reconsider my entire collection 😱

And I didn't want to leave the store without trying on a couple of sport models. Again, not looking for any, but couldn't resist to try.

First I tried on the famous AP ROO JPM in Ti. I always wanted to see one in person and it's definitely one of my favorite ROOs, no question. Very special.

And last but not least, a RM005, which you might have already seen in the background on another picture. I've seen a few RMs in the past and I somehow admire the brand, but always thought these watches were not for me... until I saw this RM005 today on my wrist, OMG, I love it.

The good news is that I cannot afford most of these watches now, so I should sleep tonight like a baby after a long day. The bad news is that my brain has already started thinking about alternative options... 😅😅😅

Thanks for reading and good night 😜

About the Richard Mille Automatic Ref. RM005

Richard Mille RM005 Automatic

The RM005 represents Richard Mille's automatic offering within the RM 005 series, produced from 2004 to 2012. This reference establishes the foundational automatic complications in Richard Mille's catalog during the brand's early production years.

The 38mm titanium case houses the RMUL1 automatic caliber, providing 55 hours of power reserve. The watch features a skeletonized dial construction with sapphire crystal and fixed bezel. Water resistance extends to 50 meters, and the watch is fitted with a rubber strap.

This reference appeals to collectors seeking Richard Mille's automatic movement technology in a titanium case format. The RM005's eight-year production run and skeletonized dial execution position it as an accessible entry point into the brand's automatic offerings from this period.

Specifications

Caliber: RMUL1

Case: Titanium

Diameter: 38 mm

Dial: Skeletonized

Water Resist.: 50m

Crystal: Sapphire

Key Points from the Discussion

The original poster clarifies his wrist size (17.0cm-17.5cm) to provide context for how the watches he tried on fit him.
A contributor identifies the Patek Philippe 5270 as 'pure perfection' and a personal grail, recalling a seminal moment in their collecting journey upon trying one on for the first time.
The original poster expresses that while the A. Lange & Söhne Datograph is a strong contender, the Patek Philippe 5270 or 5970 are his ultimate grail watches, but acquiring one would necessitate letting go of another meaningful piece from his current collection.
The original poster notes that while he found other Richard Mille watches 'excessive,' the RM005 felt different and surprisingly light on his wrist, leading to an unexpected appreciation.

The Discussion

destrodan

Aug 16, 2019

That's some serious hardware.

The 5270 does haunt me too. Kind regards, Dan

destrodan

Aug 16, 2019

That's some serious hardware.

The 5270 does haunt me too. Kind regards, Dan

1WatchMan

Aug 16, 2019

Yes it is, and specially the 5270 😅 [nt]