Rosneathian
1471
My thoughts from a purely aesthetic point of view
Jul 29, 2021,03:39 AM
It's nice to have three such different watches to choose from. This makes for interesting reflections.
The Calatrava had become dated in the last 5-10 years, but this update is excellent. I particularly like the double clous de paris bezel. The rail track provides the right level of segmentation without which the dial might have looked plain in the way that some of its predecessors do. The pronounced applied markers are just right, as is the gentle vertical brushing on the dial. A wonderful execution all round.
I have a very serious and incurable soft spot for form watches. I have a few at different price points, though none at this level. The Galet Square is all about the case shape, and the minimalism of the dial helps to maintain that focus. Its rectitude is now a signature for this watchmaker and few at this level do it as well, as far as I can see.
The American began life as a driver's watch, if I'm not mistaken. Pluses include its Breguet numerals and pomme hands. I also like that this is all the dial offers, because the real action again is in the case shape and the axis of the dial.
Of the three I've spent the most time considering this particular LF for myself. I was - to be honest - rather bored by the PP until this update. I have never given the VC much attention.
Given this choice of three I would choose the PP. It's architectural and has a quiet classicism of its own. Its qualities are both discreet and obvious. The update is a win. The LF is an all-purpose watch and for me the least conventional of the three. I would wear it in my more expressive moments. The VC is - in my eye - a sports watch, albeit sports of a kind we don't see much these days.
EDIT: Congratulations on your choice!