Horological Meandering

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' quality.
My list not in order of merit........

1) Lange Dato

2) Lange PLM

3) Richard Lange PLM

4) Lange Anniversary

5) Patek 2526

6) Journe Resonance

7) Journe Tourbillon

8) Roger Smith Series 2

9) Kari Observatoire

10) Dufour Simplicity

11) Dufour Duality

12) Patek 5101P

13) Credor eichi

14) JLC Gyro tourbillon

15) Kari Decimal Repeater

Please continue for me
*CL

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 watches (and the Moonstruck),  MIH watch, Freak, Perpetual

Best

Andreas

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 the PLM and RL PLM.....
Hope this helps
*CL

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...

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

Very good one
*CL

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 you mean buyers are getting "value"?)

- Lord Arran's complicated watch

- Ludwig Oechslin designed watches built by many different watchmakers

- Greubel Forsey

- Beat Haldimann H2(not sure whether to include H1 but it's up there in my favorite list)

- H. Moser perpetual(such an efficient use of space on the dial)

- AP's recent chronometer watch

The list can go on but I think I am getting lost because I don't really understand the criteria. Afraid that it would read more like complicated watches impresses me or chronometers that I like rather than watches I considered intellectual(eg. JLC tourbillon, AP's EOT etc)

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 will not have such appeal on me, that include Turbograph but then Patek 5959 has that appeal to me.
So as you can see, it's a bot what moves you intellectually. They are definitely not kick ass progressive and uber complicated pieces.
Just looking for those pieces that resonate with fervent collectors in a very intimate way.
*CL

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 overly complicated. Something not conservative, and yet not so "in your face". Something that is not commonplace, and yet not something that is seen once a year type. Something that shouts "I m into watches" and yet not convey a message of a watch snob.

It's the UN le 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 watch with a strong intellectaul appeal and a watch that makes sense to be in any serious collector's
collection, especially the version one. The basic fact that its styling is so bad and crass that I think it is actually excellent
Something about it just speak to me as it starts to fade away from the limelight
Thanks for bringing this piece up.
Lovesss*CL

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.

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 very simple stuff, just plain shirt, old jeans and some old beautiful sneakers. Sometime he has a very simple used jackets, he looks really cool. He sports a YG Rolex submariner on his wrist and I must say it totally exude such wonderful charm .
A confidence level that requires no others validation. I like it
*CL

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 with khaki pants sporting early 90s YG dayto...daily corporate crap is some much easier, with conservative pateks or VCs.

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 ones)

I don't know if I am responding correctly, but those are ones that touch my intellectual "switch" (if there is such a thing in my head, when I see them.

Thanks for the list, I will go study them
*CL

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.

.... 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 worthy.

Interesting thread, BTW: thanks!

Cheers,
pplater.

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.........
It is an icon of our time and it makes us know it is possible if we want to progress
I find it a very inspirational piece and always use that as a benchmark of not getting complacent.
Lovesss*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 that 'before the Dato comes into the scene, a chronograph is just another chronograph'? That's a bit hard on a plethora of great chronos, don't you think? Pateks, Breguets, Rolex, Zenith, Omega, to name just a handful. The big date? Done before. The jumping minute? Hmmmm.

Please don't misunderstand - it is a drool-worthy watch and on the top of the 'must have one some day' list, but it does stand out as being the 'odd one out' in your original list, given your premise.

Anyone else want to chip in here?

Cheers,
pplater.

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 it and gets me to think and be active, hence really is an "intellectual" piece, the feeling I get from the Dato is more that of a "pinnacle of craft" (no wonder that Dufour seems to like the Dato). Of course it was a great achievement to create it and I appreciate the aspects of modernism in its dial especially, but as a wearer the Dato puts me more in a mode of passive admiration: I come away from staring at the beautiful Baroque movement very happy but not necessarily smarter. So I guess I would agree with pplater.

Best

Andreas

This message has been edited by donizetti on 2010-10-31 05:06:12

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 seemingly overlooked Hybris Mechanica Grand Sonnerie, the Resonance, the Duality, the Lange PLM, the DB15, La Tradition Tourbillon, AP Chronometer, arguably the Patek annual calendars - is it a poor substitute for a perpetual? or is it an optimal solution which is a good cost benefit balance, if there's such a thing when it comes to watches?

Excluded from the list would be 1000 year moon watches. When would this ever be useful? If the watch never needs to be serviced for 1000 years and runs continuously? Is that possible? Would that matter to tens of generations assuming the watch stays in the family?

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

Designed with total "theatricality"  in mind from the get go.

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 old pocket watches - but that's kinda the point... ;-)

 

Cheers,

pplater.

[photo credits embedded in photo URLs - right click to view]

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 prove, that this was the case with the Dato.

The one from soldier to his misstress is No 1 Intellectual watch for me
Cheers
Damian

. . . Reverso tourbillon, Vyskocil and Glashütte chronometers, Patek 5105, RM002.

Visceral appeal is another story . . .

..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 enthusiasm for watches manifests itself - on an intellectual level - in pretty irrational ways.

But making an attempt...the watches that appeal to me intellectually...on first thought it would have been highly complicated pieces...then on reflection, a fine execution of the simple 3 hand watch is what appeals...ahhh. Too hard, therefore, excellent question, CL.