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My late submission
Sorry for the late reply to this thought provoking thread. Even though being late, I just feel like to add my picks.
John you have a nice list, which contains quite a few of my all time favorites - you know what they are, though you won't find all of them below. 
The following watches have both intellectual and pure art appeal to me:
- Vianney Halter Goldpfeil
- Vianney Halter Antiqua
- Vianney Halter Trio
- Vianney Halter Opus 3 (credit to HWRT and APRP as well)
The following watches have both intellectual and philosophical appeal to me:
- Dufour Simplicity
- Dufour Duality
Romantic but also intellectual moons:
- Lange 1815 Moonphase (original)
- Moser Perpetual Moon
Two Resonance watches, very scientific yet very romantic:
- Journe Resonance
- Haldimann H2
More Haldimann:
- Haldimann H1
- Haldimann H8
More tourbillon, and fusee chain:
- Journe Tourbillon (original)
- Lange PLM (original)
Modern Chronometers from my favorite modern watch brands A. Lange & Journe :
- Lange RL
- Journe CS
High Tech:
- De Bethune Dream Watch One
- URWERK 201
- Richard Mille 021
Intelligent Design:
- Journe Centigraphe
- Moser Perpetual 1
- UN Moonstruck
- MIH
- Ochs und Junior Settimana Junior
- Linde Werdelin Oktopus Moonphase, with or without the Reef
- Zenith El Primero Striking 10th
Finally, a watch that is hard to categorize by itself but certainly has high intellectual appeal to me -- and it happens to be the first watch in John's list. Let me just name a special category for it -- Beauty and Beast :
- Lange Datograph
💰437 Marketplace Listings for A. Lange and Söhne›A. Lange and Söhne 1815 · 2 for sale · 4350 discussions›F.P. Journe Centigraphe · 2 for sale · 605 discussions›
Watch of intellectual appeal.....
I'm curious what watches do you think possess 'intellectual' appeal? I have my list, feel free to add on or share with us your list so we can all think about it Why am I interested about this topic? I think such watch appeal to me due to its 'intellectual...
Not 100% sure I get
what you mean by "intellectual appeal? nyway, here are some watches that I have "thought about a lot". Maybe those lists will overlap. 1 - Journe Resonance. Tops the list for me 2 - Breguet La Tradition 3 - Many of the works of Oechslin: Trilogyy of time ...
'Intellectual appeal' meaning...
it appeals to you more on an intellectual level, less so of the visual appeal. For example, the resonance movement on the Journe Resonance, the groundbreaking movement on the Dato, the conceptualization and execution of the Simplicity, the fusee chain on ...
I agree with this list...
more than with the OP's list. I suppose I equate "intellectual content" with advances in horological engineering. If that is the case then: - Seiko Spring Drive - JLC Master Compressor Extreme LAB I think that the OP has something else in mind...
Agree with most of your list..
Especially your Lange Journe Dufour Voutilainen and 5101 I have a few to add: GO Senator Chronometer De Bethune DB15 (ok I'm biased!) Laurent Ferrier Gallet Classic Haldimann H2
nt
Not sure I understand the guideline actually as some of the watches on your list seem more like well made rather than 'intellectual'. But these appeal to me - Jean Daniel Nicholas tourbillon(seems to be very very well made, more than intellectual. Maybe y...
the term 'intellectual' in this case can be interpreted
quite loosely..... In this case I'm more of seeking watches that make us think, watch that create a significant value / influence in the horological world, other than another tourbillon or MR or another rare limited edition. Some very complicated watches ...
My 2 cents, including VAT.
I am going to just say one watch, something not in the stratosphere in terms of price, but not cheap either. Something that is a achievable Grail, something not purely ACHI, and not something fm the big conglomerates. Something visually arresting, and not...
Yes...I totally agree that UN Freak
belongs to the 'intellectually appealing' category But I disagree slightly that it is not an 'into your face' piece. I personally think its styling is very much 'loud' in a very crass manner.....screaming for attention. Nevertheless, it is DEFINITELY a wa...
I am referencing it to
The urwerks and mbfs of "modern" days. But I take your point on it being "crass"...I used to think of the Paul newsman dial YG bracelet dayton a is crass, but now, it is very very appealing to me.
If you use to find YG vintage Daytona being crass and
now you find it appealing, then I think we are totally at the same page There's something really appealing about such 'crass' pieces, so anti everything that it becomes cool. I have a good friend who is a very famous fashion stylist. He only wears very ve...
Sometimes it's just plain old style, but
Increasinly it is becoming difficult to find a good balance between something horologically intelligent and stylishly fashionable. So sometimes the contra-default kicks in, like sneakers n jeans n crappy t-shirt with datograph OR smart casual Thomas Pinks...
Most of my watches are :-)
Seriously, regardless whether I own or not, my picks are, in addition to your list: 1. Credor GCLH999 2. Moser Mayu and Perpetual 1 3. Laurent Ferrieer 4. Patek 3939, 5078 5. AP 15300 or 15202 RO 6. GO Senator Chronometer 7. Lange 1815 MP (the original on...
JLC Atmos?
Not a wristwatch, but what about the Atmos clock? I find it fascinating that irregular changes in pressure can be translated into the steady ticking of a clock.
Opus 1 through 10...
.... and everything on your list EXCEPT the Dato. Sure, it's a sensational watch and a beautiful, beautiful movement but you'll have to explain what distinguishes the Dato from other well made chronos to elevate it into the ranks of the intellectually wor...
Well....simply said.....before Dato
comes into the scene, a chronograph is just another chronograph. Once DATO comes into the scene , it creates that possibility of what one can do with a chronograph. The impeccable movement that make everyone drool and that BIG DATE plus the jumping minute...
Still not sure about that CL....
Impeccable movement? Yes. Icon of our time? Yes. Inspirational piece? Yes. But you could perhaps say the same of a Calatrava, for example, without those indicia necessarily identifying an 'intellectual' watch. Is it pushing the envelope a bit to be saying...
The Resonance and the Dato
are probably the "nicest" pieces in my lineup and while I love them both dearly I find they are totally different with regard to the "intellectual" aspect as far as I get it. While the Resonance just keeps drawing me in thinking about the concept behind i...
Agree with you pplater
The Dato is a beautiful movement and fantastic pusher feel, but I'm not sure it's up there with the 13ZN, the Piguet or several Lemanias as a chronograph. On the list, my vote goes to particularly the Gyro (Reverso with the cylindrical hairspring) and the...
Those of you interested in the Harry Winston OPUS 1 to 10
Make sure you check out foversta's detailed pictorial and video post of the HW OPUS 1 to 10 in our Harry Winston forum: harrywinston.watchprosite.com -MW
I think the Dato movement is the first one...
Designed with total "theatricality" in mind from the get go.
Really???... :-)
Here's a couple you might consider describing as 'theatrical from the get go', Brava - First, another Lange (although this one is from 1902!) - This one ( original completed in 1827) needs no introduction - One more for good measure - Sure, they're all ol...
Think so?
I beg to differ. I think they are more along the lines of form follows function and if it looks good it is good. I doubt that theatricality was one of the fundamental design parameters when these movements were developed. I strongly suspect, but can't pro...
Bull's eye pplater
The one from soldier to his misstress is No 1 Intellectual watch for me Cheers Damian
Omega central tourbillon above all. Skeleton . . .
. . . Reverso tourbillon, Vyskocil and Glashütte chronometers, Patek 5105, RM002. Visceral appeal is another story . . .
Central tourbillon...
..intellectual or emotional, Art? Viceral? (!) My take on the question: I don't really perceive watches on much of an intellectual level....it's completely on a financial rewards level. (joke) I'm not sure how to really respond to the OP's question. My en...
Good catch, Ben. It was, as you suspect . . .
. . . a case of instant visceral appeal. I've rationalized it since then, so at this distant stage, it's more along the lines of what I believe to be CL's intent.
Agree somewhat and will add first...
Two pieces from the stable of RM. The 002 and the 009. Why these two? Well the 002 was the first watch from RM that appealed AND made me think as to how the perception of luxury as being simple watches was overturned by RM through the addition/implementat...
you make total sense but
I will add a RM001 instead of the RM002 RM009 YES!!! How I can forget that. It create a very strong emotional response when I first handle it. So simple and so GRAIL I can't say enough that I LOVE this watch VVVVVVMUCH *CL
No..RM002 is arguably more signifcant a piece over the 001
Especially if one can find the original dial plate in aluminium insted of the "carbon" type. This is so because I feel that the added complication in the 002, makes the pedigree "tighter".
Hi Bernard...what's the added complication
of the 002 over the 001. Though I like the idea of having 001 because it's their first, I must admit that it is the 002 that kinda make them known. If with my money , I will choose the 002 original version than the V2. But If I only want one RM, it will b...
Quite Clever of You. . .
I would add: 1. Anything by Vianney Halter 2. The MIH watch 3. G&F #1 4. Haldimann H1 and H8 5. Ochs und Junior Anno 50 6. Richard Mille RM 0012 Ah, I now recognize that I could go on and on; I need to refine my 'mental criterion.' Good post, John. Dougla...
First we have to give a definition of " Intellectual appeal ".
I would say that is an aesthetical or mechanical virtue which requires an effort to be fully appreciated. In this case, I would exclude a lot of watches in your list. A Dato is easy to appreciate: A quick look on the dial and mostly on the movement will l...
Agree with you in most examples except
the Patek 5196P. That itself is a redial , resize / enlarge version of something meant to be much purer. A look at the high second hand at 6 o'clock already suggests why it shouldn't be produced in the first place. It is such a beauty in term of styling b...
Well, I would be less severe than you on the 5196P, CL.
Even if I totally understand your argument about the too small movement, but we can also argue that a lot of PP watches, and specially one among my favourite, have the same problem. Take, for example, the 5102, the famous Celestial... A 43 mm watch, if I'...
well...I sounded harsh only
because I wanted so much to love that watch It can be such a perfect piece for a modern Calatrava but Patek just fail put to an icon there. If anyone consider a simple 3 handed watch at similar pricing, RIchard Lange and Journe CS easily become a better c...
I totally get your point.
I, too, when decieved, can be a bit harsh. But, once again, don't you think that the K.V and the Dufour are easier watches to apprehend their ineterest and beauty than the PP 5196 which will deserve more efforts? More " Visual " versus more " intellectual...
Hahaha...
Agree with you that Simplicity and Observatoire are easier watch to comprehend. 5196P and yes the P version , I drooooooooooooooool. So wanted it to accept it and maybe I might Thank you *CL
personally i think
that most complicated watches have a special intellectual appeal, most of the time only those that are well informed in the field of watchmaking (such as ourselves) truly appreciate the high skill and craftsmanship that it takes to make one of these watch...
At his point in time..because "branding" is so overwheming..the Grand Seiko
It is simply because Seiko has a very low brand esteem to the buyer at this point, that spending time and observation of what goes into Grand Seiko spring drive especially, and also the manual and auto time only pieces are very important. I feel it is rel...
Definitely some on your list.... but others too
For intellectual appeal, then from your list the Richard Lange PLM; Journe Resonance; Dufour Duality... In particular, Greubel Forsey and Richard Mille stand out because of their commitment to high end research that requires new thought and with that inte...
Oh yes...I was just thinking about Opus 3.
That one definitely has intellectual appeal. RM009 and the GF 24, both are a definite in the list too. These are watches that give my heart a fuzzy nice feeling Thank you Andrew *CL
My late submission
Sorry for the late reply to this thought provoking thread. Even though being late, I just feel like to add my picks. John you have a nice list, which contains quite a few of my all time favorites - you know what they are, though you won't find all of them...
Song....you know you and me share
a very very same sensibility Hmmmm....Maybe I just like the watches because I know you will like . Yah...I think that's the case Cheers my friend *CL