Horological Meandering

Like many of you, I have been browsing the internet too often during these challenging times and needless to say, there are some lovely watches out there that make compelling purchases. Sometimes though as much as all the alternatives scream 'buy me, buy ...  

Not taking price into consideration, I would select the Kikuchi... with a black dial Just my gut feeling. I am planning a trip to Japan in 2021 and will be keen to discover Kikuchi over there in due time.

The black dial is also very nice but my personal preference is the cream dial. Unfortunately, I am only due to be in Tokyo in 2022 for the Patek Exhibition which is perhaps too long to wait. Kikuchi Nakagawa only produces ten watches annually so these Mur... 

I think the dial, case, lugs and those very fine hands do it for me. The most attractive for me personally among these three. Even the movement looks right for the case and is really nice to look at.

Thanks for your feedback. You know my wrist well. How do you think the 40mm Alfred will fit on my wrist?!

Again - with watches, nothing is perfect until you actually have it on the wrist, which would be a challenge during this time where everything seems to be off limits, but if we're going purely by measurements, I think it would sit pretty well - with a pin... 

that 47mm lug to lug will be a comfortable fit for me. I have managed 46mm lug to lug but never 47mm yet! To be honest, I am currently leaning towards the Murakamo. Yes, it is an auto and it would have been nice to view the movement but the dial and hands... 

Love that grenage dial and the hands!

that dial is impressive. and the hands are very Voutilainen, probably because Kari used to be heavily involved in the company.

I think a lot would depend on one's wrist size. I know 39mm and 40mm seem to be popular sizes these days but I also know there is a growing market for 36mm and 37mm and I believe more manufacturers will be producing watches in these sizes in the years to ... 

Good luck in choosing.

I can see the UJ is pretty popular here and for good reason too. I think it is a great way to join you the UJ family as many of its other pieces in precious metal are priced at a different level.

The black polished case must be a sight to behold. And those hands! I wouldn’t purchase it yet though. I’ve heard that Nakagawa might be introducing his own movement.

I shall email Kikuchi san now to ask him about this. The raised numerals Sublime hands ...  

When you hear back

the Murakamo will always be using the Vaucher movement. Any movement developed in house will be for a different model.

For the clarification. Between these three, I would still go for Kikuchi. The Patek is too small, and the Jurgensen is too big. Also, the Jugensen dial is a bit flat to me. I like their guilloche work, but not this. The Murakamo is an exercise in case fin... 

and yes I agree that the black polishing of the whole watch is quite something. Let's put it this way - years ago when I first met Rexhep Rexhepi, he kept on elaborating on the black polishing of his Akrivia watches. At that time I failed to appreciate wh... 

Apply the same type of optical finishing to his cases?

that he does use optical finishing to his cases.

but I was actually comparing the Patek, Murakamo and Alfred which are 33,37 and 40mm

which makes my decision to choose one of them even more difficult.

The PP is small, but the proportions are sweet. I would wear that one, even if my wrists are a little larger than yours.

The Patek is a classic for sure. Simplicity at its best and some may even say 'too simple'. But then again, I think it defines discreet elegance.

How about tossing the Patek 5196P into the mix? I would choose that one over the 3960 even despite the limited edition nature of the 3960. Just a thought. Cheers, John

I was wondering who might eventually suggest the 5196P It is a lovely watch but the lugs are too flared for my wrist so even though it is 37mm, it is a tad too large for me. Yes, I know, I need a new wrist!!

it is actually the main priority for me now irrespective of how beautiful a watch is. And thank goodness with my small wrist, the number of watches that would fit comfortably on my wrist is reduced tremendously or else I would be robbing banks to finance ... 

Except I only have one vintage piece because although vintage pieces have so much character and are wonderfully small relatively, I tend to worry about their reliability. Some are ok, some are not. My 1943 Patek is currently in Geneva for a service that w...  

and then I have to decide whether or not to keep it

I don't like the Urban Jurgensen for its dial color, hour hand, the lugs and foremost its size which I find far too large for a basic dress watch. This leaves the Murakamo and the 3960G. Between those two I would pick the Murakamo w/o any doubt as the 396... 

May I congratulate you on your 3998P! I have a good friend who wears his 3998G proudly which for me is the most attractive watch in his large collection so I can imagine your 3998P having a similar impact. The 5022P is a good looking watch but I once owne... 

....and beautiful watches, all three of them. My view on each: Patek: + gorgeous case (hunterback) + strongest brand - a tad too small (but white color makes it bigger) - subdial cuts into "6" Nakagawa: + beautifully elevated (3-dimensional) numerals + be... 

I am actually in full agreement with you especially about the size of a dress watch. There are still brands unfortunately that only make dress watches at 40mm and above and although there are people with larger wrists, I do believe that a dress watch shou...  

Just to throw out some more ideas: Laurent Ferrier also has some very nice Breguet numeral watches although the size is a bit large. I'm assuming you already considered them, but I really like Breguet's enamel dial watches like the 8787.

Yes many would opt for the 7787 at 39mm but the straight Breguet lugs make the watches wear large. So yes, the 8787 at 36mm would definitely be a contender. For the time being though, I am quite partial to the Murakamo too - you know my tastes well! The B...  

The case, hands, and dial is exquisite. But I would ask him to use the better quality Vaucher movement and put on a display back. (It's the same movement but highest grade from Vaucher)

the case back has to be solid even though I too would love to view the movement. But I have to say this - the polished case is like no other probably because of the black polishing. The Vaucher movement is finished to a higher level than in its original s... 

And maybe is also more versatile than the Kikuchi ??? May wisdom strike you soon !

comes so well disguised Ron! Thank you for your feedback. I am leaning towards the Murakumo as I am pretty certain that it will be a better fit on my wrist not to mention I love the raised numerals and three dimensional hands.

for sharing my sentiments. Few watches excite me these days but the Murakumo does. And that is the difference between this and the other two watches.

already knows. For me it works the same, many options have been weighted , a very energy consuming proces, and then finally there is the conviction one needs. I hope the wait wont be to long ! All the best.

which for me personally is not long as the order for my Gronefeld Remontoire last year will take two years and my RW Smith five years (It would have been four had I not extended it for one more year!)