Patek Philippe

No message body

Quite interestingly, during the turn of the century, the Calatrava was only 33mm. Have our wrists grown to such an extent or has it just been more fashionable to wear watches that cover the entire wrist?! 

although I do like the micro-rotor of the Vaucher (Parmigiani). I just wished the movement could have been modified and finished to the same level as the hands and case but I guess that is the compromise given the price delta.

I have noticed one thing. Irrespective of how beautiful a movement might be, the dial of the watch is at least as important because that is what we see all the time when the watch in on our wrist. So if there was ever a choice of a beautiful dial with an average movement or an average dial with a beautiful movement, I will always choose the former. Of course, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder but I like to think that for you and I, the Murakamo is beautiful.   And as the movement is not visible, as long as it keeps good time and is reliable and is pretty enough in its micro rotor form, I am a happy man 

Regardless, the dial and hands are perfection.

Do you know if the 3 dimensional Breguet numerals are hand painted and then lacquered? If so, looks a bit like Urushi lacquer but I am not certain since I do not know the ins and out of this watch 🤷‍♂️

from a company called Gilwatch in Geneva. The numerals are printed a few times via pad printing to give them extra height so no urushi lacquer here. The hands are make by Yuki Precision in Japan. Basically, Kikuchi Nakagawa clearly discloses who does what to achieve the end product.

No message body

It has been done so well, it does look like urushi lacquer but not!    The dial is mesmerising  nevertheless.

hat you like and that is not refinished, you can send it to Patek for a full servicing. When it returns , the movement will be spanking clean and gorgeous.

Admittedly I was actually considering this very Ref 96 in platinum which seemed to be in good condition and is quite rare I believe in platinum and Breguet numerals. But I had to be honest to myself - 30.5mm??  That is pretty small compared to 36.8mm and no matter how large a 30.5mm wears, that is more than a 6mm advantage.  Yes there is something of course with owning a vintage Patek, I have one from 1943 which I do cherish but it has to fit the wrist.  

Also, the example you showed seems to have some issue. If you look at the signature, the accent is gone, indicating that the dial has been washed and cleaned. And , if possible, get one with raised enamel signature. 

I know little of vintage watches to be honest but I do know many collectors prefer the original dial rather than a cleaned or restored dial. I am weird as I like my things to look as new and perfect as possible so perhaps vintage is not the direction I should be going.  Also, I had little idea that US25,000 was cheap for a Ref 96 because that particular dealer is not known for selling things cheap.  But I must thank you for enlightening me to this fact so I have an idea what getting into vintage Pateks will entail.

and George Daniels Millennium, which will you choose? . The Millennium will look like vintage but don't you think it is much more flavourful? I am okay with properly restored dial by manufactiurer but not okay with service dial that has been restored. I believe your example is a platinum piece which is rare and should cost much more if all parts are original. Most good vintage dealers are never cheap and I understand why. They have put in a lot of effort and skill in sourcing out authentic pieces and educate the collectors. If you compare them to the traditional dealer who simply buy and sell modern pieces or gray pieces for a quick flip, then you are missing something interesting here. A good vintage dealer is always also a collector and an otaku. There is so much to learn from such people. They are like historian

I rate anything made by George Daniels very highly and the Millenium in 37mm is for me the perfect wristwatch. I personally would even rate it higher than Dufour's Simplicity as the dial on the Millenium is THE dial.  Yes it is an automatic but I think anyone who understands the work of George Daniels will appreciate a Daniels.



One of the 47 Daniels Millenium in yellow gold




The best? For me yes.

that the Millennium were made by Roger himself? So, when you ordered the Series 2, you already have a better version of Millenium. The only difference is Millennium has history and Series 2 does not. If Millennium is just another well made Omega, we may not be that interested. I point this out to show example why some people are very much in love with a good vintage watch. Personally, I would like both Millennium and Series 2

Daniels enlisted Roger's help to make the Millenium but he had a hand in it too. I know the Series 2 has Roger's improved version of the co axial escapement but the point is that the Millenium watch has a nicer dial, is 37mm compared to 38mm of the Series 2 and has the Daniels name on it which for me means a lot.  I was keen on the Anniversary watch for example but it is 40mm which is too large for me.  I know there are many vintage collectors around but for me I like the watch to be in tip top mint condition so I would buy a Millenium watch if it was in great condition only. Just me 

As for me, I will have Millennium in any condition . Actually, if you ever see a nice example of Millennium, it is only because it was polished and cleaned up. You can get a lousier condition and have good watchmaker clean up for you. Same theory for the vintage pieces. Yes, the Anniversary is too big, plus it doesn't really make sense. One might as well stick with the Series 2. Maybe you can commission Roger to create a dial that resemble Millennium? Come to think about it, all these Time only watches are over $200k now. Pretty crazy.

to collect my Series 2 but I doubt if he will oblige as he is so busy with his current projects. I would a Millenium watch in white metal - I believe only 5 were made in white gold.   I am quite happy actually to own a vintage watch (although the Millenium is only 20 years olld and for me does not qualify as a vintage watch as they should all still be in as new condition since it is hardly a watch one would wear daily) and have a fully refurbished by the brand even if it means replacing the dial which seems a big no-no to vintage watch collectors.  Many would prefer the 'battle scars' in tact but I prefer otherwise hence my focus on new watches in general.  I hope you find a Millenium watch in the near future as it is arguably the only watch that I would sell my entire collection for.

a Millennium, I will let you know .  Then maybe you can sell me your Series 2 :

if the height of the watch is too much! That is of course if you are interested 

It is a rare beast. I saw one in ACM and it sold super fast... as fast as a Dufour

so let's see how I feel when I wear the Series 2.  I was less than convinced when I tried it on in London last year but things can change 



Possibly too thick for me?! Time will tell

Many will take it off your wrist if you even hesitate . I think you will get use of the thickness after a month

I figured it was a safe bet when I placed my order years ago so the way I see it, it is a win win situation. If I love the watch (noticed I said 'love' not 'like'!), I get to own one of the most coveted pieces around. If I do not, then, it is hello Voutilainen and Akrivia! 

I like your two other back up choices too

instead of the Akrivia but that 42mm case with with the small lugs wears too large on my wrist.

all of them if it is 38mm.

and maybe 40mm if they kept the short lugs!  With the large movement size, theoretically, they could do a 40mm case. I did mention it to them when I met the owners but they felt that a 42mm would be more robust for the movement size.

No message body

Hmmm, you don't think the hands and numerals look a bit similar apart from the fact the Murakumo has 3D hands, its numerals are black in colour and the dial is in cream instead of white?!  But you are the Patek Ambassador afterall so one would expect you to defend Patek's honour