stealth timepiece....which one is your favourite ?!

Jun 11, 2020,05:57 AM
 

i've been always intrigued by the notion that 'only' the wearer knows what it is and for the rest it is a normal timepiece !


in that sense i think there are few which are quite good stealth timepieces in my view...

1) 5101P is a killer...though it gives a way a few hints on the dial + salmon dial is a cherry on the cake - the tourbillon is well known only to connoisseur's eyes !




2) how stealth can a watch be ?! a very serious face (some may even say boring)...Langematik Pour le Merite hides a monumental movement with 636 link fuse & chain mechanism, arguably one of the best Lange's if i may say so !




3) While the regular 1941 Gronefeld is a bit flamboyant to show it all on the dial...IMHO the Hodinkee edition is a very well thought out configuration...with simple dial but the gorgeous steel movement on with remontoire!



it is very hard to choose a personal favorite but as an engineer...Lange PLM appeals to me a lot - even on the movement side i think it is STEALTHY due to the typical glashutte three quarter plate design !

what do you consider as 'STEALTH' timepiece and which one is your favourite ?

share your thoughts....


Best,
mahesh.,


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Patek all the way! Oh, my… What a watch!

 
 By: halgedahl : June 11th, 2020-06:15
Admittedly, the other two have simpler faces, and may more obviously fit the "stealth" theme you suggest. (And, of course, as you allude to, the print on the Patek's dial rather gives away what is going on.) But still… (I'm turning this into a which watch... 
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in deed 5101P is a stellar timepiece !

 
 By: mahesh : June 11th, 2020-07:07
not far I would say the Laurent Ferrier Galet Classic Tourbillon is a stealth too, very elegant & classic dial but doesn't give up more than that !! ...  
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That LF is definitely a stealth watch [nt]

 
 By: Watchonthewrists : June 12th, 2020-01:32
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+1 on this LF! [nt]

 
 By: amanico : June 12th, 2020-03:29
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Hidden beauty

 
 By: colton_d : June 11th, 2020-06:41
I remember first being introduced to the idea of a stealthy timepiece as preferable to a 'showy' complication on this very site! I feel Patek embodies the idea of a timepiece being understated to all but the wearer. My favourite contemporary piece which e... 
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in deed Colton...that Lange is seriously stealthier !

 
 By: mahesh : June 11th, 2020-06:58
it packs every thing including perpetual calendar which by itself is a huge complication !! Best, mahesh.,
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That's a lovely Patek. The Credor Eichi II in pt, as well as any white metal Simplicity are kings of this.

 
 By: Spangles - Dr. Tabby : June 11th, 2020-06:56
White metal vintage dress watches do very well as their smaller size leads to more stealthiness. ...  
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that is beautiful guilloche...true that !

 
 By: mahesh : June 11th, 2020-07:11
i would consider the 'essence' of Eichi II is the dial...the main attraction, if so would it be still stealthy ?! i do think, it is very elegant and the minimalist of all - with those hand painted porcelian white dial ! thanks for the wrist shot. Best, ma... 
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true...but unfortunately not many does it !

 
 By: mahesh : June 11th, 2020-08:24
the LF Galet Classic Tourbillon & Lange 1 PC Tourbillon are such. there used to be a Reverso Tourbillon too... ...  
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Of course I have to choose the 5101P

 
 By: WatchAl : June 11th, 2020-07:53
Elegant and sleek design with a hidden tourbillion, 29mm in width. Could be worn anywhere, only a true purist would be able to recognize the masterpiece on your wrist.
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i think the H version of Gronefeld is a very good one, hiding the remontoire on the dial side the salmon dial !

 
 By: mahesh : June 11th, 2020-08:26
5101 is a remarkable timepiece in deed but I agree from a value perspective Gronefeld is miles ahead !!
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What makes a stealth timepiece

 
 By: Cookies : June 11th, 2020-08:18
Stealth is about evading detection. There are many ways to which this is achieved: Camouflage Small size Thinness Being signature-less Does not have an easily found price-tag Being from a brand people perceive as being "cheap" Looking old and crappy On my...  
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that in deed is a good set...i love the JLC & the Citizen

 
 By: mahesh : June 11th, 2020-08:28
i do agree with most of your definition of stealth but pt 6 & 7 are too hard ;-) thanks for the pics...esp. the JLC dirty dozen is a gem ! Best, mahesh.,
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Here is a JLC

 
 By: Cookies : June 11th, 2020-08:44
Took this pic in Singapore. Sadly the shop is no longer there ...  
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You beat me!!! [nt]

 
 By: amanico : June 11th, 2020-08:48
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You groomed me for this role

 
 By: Cookies : June 11th, 2020-09:05
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;) [nt]

 
 By: amanico : June 11th, 2020-09:20
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Wow...that’s a marvelous example ! [nt]

 
 By: mahesh : June 11th, 2020-10:11
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Good call...

 
 By: Brandon Skinner : June 11th, 2020-08:59
The Moser iWatch takes the prize
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I will play differently.

 
 By: amanico : June 11th, 2020-08:47
Here are my favorite Stealth. ...  
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Very very stealthy indeed

 
 By: Cookies : June 11th, 2020-09:10
These are guaranteed to pass through all customs un-noticed. Excellent means of alternative investments.
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Absolutely! [nt]

 
 By: amanico : June 11th, 2020-09:20
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How 'bout a 3 hand Dufour Simplicity? [nt]

 
 By: MikiJ : June 11th, 2020-10:17
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That is a heavy weight champion my friend 😜

 
 By: mahesh : June 11th, 2020-10:23
I would also add his Duality to it but then it is even harder to see one !
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Hard to choose but if I’ve to choose only one....

 
 By: mahesh : June 11th, 2020-10:13
Then the geophysic is my way to go ! Longines is gorgeous one too. You my friend never cease to surprise!!
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My speciality. ;) [nt]

 
 By: amanico : June 11th, 2020-10:14
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Don't forget the Haldimann Tourbillon

 
 By: Brandon Skinner : June 11th, 2020-09:02
...  
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+1, another good one! [nt]

 
 By: FabR : June 11th, 2020-09:38
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Very true....how could I miss this !

 
 By: mahesh : June 11th, 2020-10:14
it probably is the stealthiest of all. Thanks for sharing
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100 [nt]

 
 By: Watchonthewrists : June 12th, 2020-01:38
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Great selection, Mahesh! The Patek is just amazing, and there are quite a lot of other choices in the "stealth watch" category, one of my favorite of all as a watch lover...:-)

 
 By: FabR : June 11th, 2020-09:33
In this category, I simply include those top-quality watches that "we" love, but that (nearly) all other people have no clue what they are...So let me add one of my favorite Pateks to this list, which outside of the watch enthusiast community, can literal...  
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That indeed is a grail

 
 By: mahesh : June 11th, 2020-10:17
I agree Fab, most will not recognize it - only a trained eye will appreciate it. Thanks for sharing the wonderful wrist shot !! Best, Mahesh.,
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Oh my God!!!!

 
 By: MTR : June 11th, 2020-09:46
This Patek is a dream!!! My personal stealth watches: Moser Perpetual Purity IWC Minute Repeater: Moser Henry Double Hairspring: Cheers Thomas ...  
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I just realize Moser naturally falls into this category with its simplest dials...

 
 By: mahesh : June 11th, 2020-10:21
probably one of the most simplest perpetual calendar dial across all brands ! Thanks for chiming in....with a chiming IWC 😜 Best, Mahesh.,
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Thank you dear mahesh! 🙏

 
 By: MTR : June 12th, 2020-23:47
Your KILLING 5101P is starting to make my completely extinguished fire (I sold my 5146G without any hesitation to get my grail IWC MR!) blaze again for PP. Sincere thanks for that. All the best for you Thomas
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The IWC is just so ...honest!...

 
 By: pplater : June 14th, 2020-00:43
The perfect marriage of form and function. Well picked! Cheers, pplater.
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Thank you for your kind and warm feedback, dear pplater!

 
 By: MTR : June 14th, 2020-03:55
Yes, also for the reasons you mentioned, this IWC MR is my personal #1... Cheers Thomas ...  
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Patek 3939 minute repeater - small, simple, sublime

 
 By: Spartacus : June 11th, 2020-10:23
I must say I find it unnecessary and annoyingly distracting to see the the word tourbillon and especially the serial number on the dial. Who cares about the SN?! Images from Hodinkee and Sotheby's. ...  
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Totally agree

 
 By: Spartacus : June 11th, 2020-10:32
In fact I was editing my post to express that thought while you were replying. Brilliant minds think alike.
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Indeed! ;)

 
 By: amanico : June 11th, 2020-10:33
No message body
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Gorgeous, classy

 
 By: mahesh : June 11th, 2020-10:33
True it is...there is no need of anything to be printed on the sub-dial. Thanks for sharing ! Best, Mahesh.,
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richard lange pour le merite all the way! [nt]

 
 By: Soul_wolfin : June 11th, 2020-10:55
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Indeed a great timepiece....

 
 By: mahesh : June 11th, 2020-11:00
Such a complex mechanism with fuse
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That 5101P is certainly a cool stealthy but my favorites are...

 
 By: Mike H : June 11th, 2020-11:12
... actually two that you might have already seen somewhere one day... obviously not that ordinary for the ones who are in the know ...  
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how good i'm - i was expecting this ;-)

 
 By: mahesh : June 11th, 2020-11:35
personally though the PP PC a heavy weight champion in its own category...i thin the LF Tourbillon Enamel in steel is a serious stealth watch actually i post your LF (pic by nico) in one of the responses above. it is a marvellous piece. thanks for sharing... 
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Thanks for mentioning, I did not see Nico's LF photo before you mention it

 
 By: Mike H : June 11th, 2020-17:45
As for the other one, thanks for your kind words my friend. I can only agree that the Wonder Watch is a heavy weight champion, however what I meant is that only a well-informed eye can differentiate a 3448 from a less prestigious annual calendar (of cours... 
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+1 [nt]

 
 By: mahesh : June 12th, 2020-00:42
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Wonderful 3448 ... [nt]

 
 By: COUNT DE MONET : June 11th, 2020-11:39
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Thank you Count ;-) [nt]

 
 By: Mike H : June 12th, 2020-03:26
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Patek

 
 By: @lberti : June 11th, 2020-12:47
Very beautiful and serious one.
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A never ending and amazing story.

 
 By: @lberti : June 11th, 2020-13:01
I particularly love the dial colour of the gondolo.
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I agree, PP’s salmon dials are gorgeous [nt]

 
 By: mahesh : June 11th, 2020-13:36
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God I love that Patek.... [nt]

 
 By: jleno : June 11th, 2020-15:56
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+1

 
 By: mahesh : June 11th, 2020-23:09
in deed a great timepiece, but comparatively underrated in market probably due to the case i think.
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stand-a-lone yes, but it didn't have the effect as other anniversary models of PP.

 
 By: mahesh : June 12th, 2020-21:48
if i'm right, current market price is lower than its retail price.
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LOL! [nt]

 
 By: amanico : June 12th, 2020-23:43
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It's difficult to fathom . . .

 
 By: Dr No : June 11th, 2020-16:36
. . . a candidate more apt . . . . . . than the original Omega tourbillon cased in steel. Only one made. ;-) ...  
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that is a BIG BOY !

 
 By: mahesh : June 11th, 2020-23:11
i love the dial and indeed a true stealth !! any idea why Omega didn't proceed with this model ? thank you for sharing the pictures. Best, mahesh.,
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Omega produced a handful of 30I tourbillon movements . . .

 
 By: Dr No : June 12th, 2020-08:22
. . . that were released to the general public. Most were cased in yellow gold or sterling silver; only one in a jumbo steel case. Can't remember off the top of my head how many were sold, but it's under twenty. Art
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Thank you Art - i love this Omega...serious one !

 
 By: mahesh : June 12th, 2020-10:58
& I like the way the tourbillon is kept unexposed...adds to the allure.
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Yeeees! Excellent, Don Turo. [nt]

 
 By: amanico : June 12th, 2020-00:03
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Great one, Art [nt]

 
 By: Brandon Skinner : June 12th, 2020-07:47
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Now that’s true stealth... NT [nt]

 
 By: Mr.Gatsby : June 14th, 2020-00:30
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All three are great choices Mahesh

 
 By: sham1 : June 11th, 2020-21:54
as they all hide their real self behind a discreet dial. I would choose the Gronefeld Remontoire Hodinkee from your selection because it is the only one that fits my wrist and also I consider the movement of Gronefeld one of the most spectacular looking m...  
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that 3939 is gorgeous, very subtle in white metal & i love the breguet numerals too.

 
 By: mahesh : June 11th, 2020-23:13
i wish there was no mention on the subdial...but as you say, it is a grail ! Thanks sham. Best, mahesh.,
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All beautiful and amazing watches

 
 By: Watchonthewrists : June 12th, 2020-01:36
I consider this T30 also a Stealth watch . (Pic by SJX) ...  
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very true...it think in a way it is the most 'Un-Journe Journe' if i may say so...

 
 By: mahesh : June 12th, 2020-07:02
the key aspects of Journe have always been the Journe hands in combo with an assymetric dial... T30 (& in a way T10 too) is totally out of that. The only thing that shows out Journe here is the crown. i believe even the 'hunter case back' is unique. T30 f...  
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A marvellous topic, mahesh...

 
 By: pplater : June 14th, 2020-00:23
...and, as a collecting 'theme', a personal favourite. The Patek and the LF tourbillons are both magnificent watches but you have to wonder why (however discreetly) the word 'tourbillon' has to appear on the dial. Is it a 'just in case' thing? From memory...  
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‘LOL’, as the youth might say!... [nt]

 
 By: pplater : June 14th, 2020-00:37
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;) [nt]

 
 By: amanico : June 14th, 2020-01:14
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