Horological Meandering

Greetings to all!

I was back home for the past week, and to celebrate (and in observance of my recent addition of a Lange Datograph to my set of watches) we were able to gather five of the "NorCal Gang of 6" for a luncheon on Friday.  The sixth member was sorely missed, primarily for his good cheer but also for the pieces he would have contributed to the occasion!

The theme started as a "Dato lunch" but at the suggestion of one of the members turned into a "chrono lunch."  There were some pieces that I failed to photograph (a pretty JLC Reverso flyback chrono, a fabulous vintage Minerva, and my own VC Overseas chrono that has received plenty of coverage previously, among others) and some pieces that the attendees didn't bring due to space limitations (e.g., a great VC chrono).  That said, I think we did pretty well!  As usual I brought the most modest selection, and was blown away by the other pieces on display. 

Apologies in advance for the quality of the photos: as we've all learned time and time again, restaurants tend to be terrible places for watch photography, and in this case there were some odd reddish lights that made things tough (in addition to the usual overhead halogens).  Enough excuses -- let's get started:

A very nice early Roger Dubuis piece:

Already a classic, the JLC Duometre, this time in YG:

Kari, anyone?  Number 1 in a series of 11 Chronographs -- this one with a unique 45-minute register (as opposed to the standard 30 minutes)

My hack photography doesn't come close to revealing the beauty of this movement:

Perhaps the surprise of the day: the GO split seconds chrono -- great pusher action, clean functioning, and relatively affordable vs. the ALS Double Split

Movement side of the GO.  Maybe not as awe-inspiring as the Dato or DS, but very pretty in its own right

A very early DeBethune piece with a Venus movement.  Another wonderful surpise to see.  The owner related that at the time, DeBethune didn't even have their own boxes!  He also persuaded DeBethune to add a deployant buckle later.  The central guilloche on this watch later inspired some conversations with Kari on what became the production version of the Observatoire:

Ho Hum, a couple of Pateks -- gorgeous!  See the large group shot later for a third example as well...

On to the main attractions: the ALS chronos.  First, the 1815

Dato time: one of 10 Pisa Datos -- I for one wish that this had been the "standard" look for the PT Datograph, as it's gorgeous

Pisa Dato and 1815, side by side:

Time for the heavy artillery: the all-conquering Double Split.  I had never seen or handled this watch before in PT, and it's absolutely awesome!  I was delighted to be able to wear it for a bit, and didn't find the weight a problem.  In fact, it almost made my Dato seem dinky by comparison.  Definitely very high on my list of wants!

Some different views of the movement, which one attendee likened to "a city under glass:"

One last solo look before moving on (can you tell that I loved this watch?)

PT DS and Dato side by side -- quite the combo...

The three Datos in attendance, as modeled by Tahoeblue, my favorite wrist model:

On to the group shots -- the five Lange chronos in attendance:

Most of the chronos present (some were already being put away by the time of these final photos -- note the third PP)

And the display sides!

Hope you enjoyed this a fraction as much as I did -- great friends, great discussions, and great watches made for a wonderful time. 

Best,

Gary G

 

All the " heavy trucks " Chronographs were here, at the exception of a notable one: The V.C ( Les Historiques, Malte or Patrimony, simple or with a perpetual calendar, one would have been at its place, here ).

The K.V Chrono is suprising, not about the finish, which is what we expect from Kari, but fromthe design of the dial, really cool, unusual, almost playful?

Love a lot.

Aaah the Dato Pisa... The avis rara, the phenomenon, " to see one and to die " .... Actually, I much prefer it in black, or with a silver dial if the case is colored gold.

To me, the Dato is Black, or it is not. The color of its dial is part of the D.N.A of the watch, but I'm a big fan of this icon, born in 1999.

The Duometre is always a pleasure to admire, and the metal or the color of the metal doesn't really matter, a Duometre is a Duometre, and as you said, already a classic.

The usual susp(atec)kts are here, and at their place in this gathering.

I liked a lot to see that someone brought the G.O Rattrapante, a very cool piece, quite affordable if you compare it to the Lange Double Split,  with na interesting level of finish on the movement, the only flaw I see being the dial, which I find a bit desorgnized, but it is me, and only my taste.

I thought a long time about getting this G.O, as it is a remarkable Rattrapante, a quite rare complication in the fine category of manual wind chronographs.

What a feast, my friend...

Best, and thanks.

Nicolas.

 

I agree -- one of the members left his VC dress chrono at home -- would have added even more weight to the occasion.

The GO was a watch I really hadn't known before, and I was impressed -- as you say, the price point relative to the Lange DS is quite appealing!  The function of the piece was great as well.  One attendee was already trying to negotiate a purchase with the owner before lunch was over...

If I recall properly the Lange DS is not a favorite of yours, but I am now obsessed with it -- we will see if the obsession lasts until I save up enough to buy it!

The KV chrono is an "unusual" Kari piece, to be sure -- I like the dial very much as well, and am hoping for more pieces of this kind from the master.

Thanks again for your thoughtful comments.

All the best,

Gary

I was on the hunt for a Rattrapante, and mechanically speaking, the Lange DS is THE one to get.

Two years ago, I had in mind to sell my Datograph to get a D.S.

So, I decided to go in a shop to try it  once again, with my Dato on the wrist.

Honestly, I was not convinced by the huge size of the case, and didn't see myself selling my Dato for a D.S.

So, I gave up the idea.

Also I prefer the dial of the Dato, compared to the D.S... These 2 subdials, making a triangle with the big date, are a very strong design, and a beautiful one.

A pity, as I never found MY Rattrapante, and for a moment I thought I found it with the D.S.

The G.O is definitely a cool piece, and when you use the pushers, you fall for this piece, as they are very smooth, like on a Dato.

After, this is just a matter bof aesthetics ( the dial ), which is really subjective.

But I'm happy to see that some are mad about this piece... It deserves some interest and love.

Best!

Nicolas.

 

Nice report, Gary.  That's the first time I have thought of the Dato as dainty!

Best,

CaliforniaJed

That DS is stunning!  The RG example that I saw in Seoul recently is more legible, but lacks the applied Romans -- both are great, IMHO.  If they made a DS Dato, that would be mandatory for me!

Best,

Gary

That last Lange almost out me over the top. Great report and super pix

Normally I like to see food shots as well, but you are well and truly forgiven in view of this "feast for the eyes".

In your photo, "PT DS and Dato side by side -- quite the combo..." is that a deliberate positioning of the respective hands? Only you would think of this Gary.

Thanks for a wonderful post.

Regards,
Richard.

Maybe I did position the hands that way, and maybe I didn't

Sorry for the absence of food shots -- we met at what I have always considered a local watering hole, which much to my surprise was recently awarded a Michelin star...good, tasty food, but not the kind of thing that I would photograph!

Glad you enjoyed the report -- hope you'll be in our neck of the woods sometime.

Best,

Gary G

and great pieces. I got to play with a YG DS yesterday and came away very enamoured with the watch - I thought it would be unwearable for me but that is not the case, sure, it is big, but not outlandish. I was surprised at how much the second hand oscillates back and forth around the zero point when you reset it. About the movement, I find the extremely threedimensional effect quite hard to capture in pictures but it is amazing.

Thanks for the geat report

Andreas

I also found the whipping of the hands on the DS very interesting -- and cool.  There's a lot going on with that watch!

Best,

Gary

Cheers

PAt

I have two pieces in the pipeline now (a Kari and a Volker, God willing....) so I'm pretty sure that my very next piece won't be a Lange.  There's also the "brand essence" argument to account for -- I don't want to make the error of rebuilding a collection of "stuff I like," but at a much higher price point than the first time!

That said, I love my Dato -- a lot -- but would be tempted to swap it for a DS at this point.  For now I think I'll stay put, though!

Best,

Gary G

cheers

PAt

I'm very happy to see some of Kari's chronograph: I am really in love with this one, more than the even more rare (the bicompax) he created several months ago (only 4 timepieces).

Fx

...now if only I could capture a good photo of it!  I'll have to ask the owner to let me borrow the watch and get it in some favorable light -- the absence of external AR coating and the curvature of the crystal make this a bear to get a clear shot of.

For me it's great to have these LEs of various complications from Kari -- keeps things fresh, and also (if one cares about these things) may help to keep the value up as well...

Thanks for your note!

Best,

Gary

Nothing to add, all has been said, and agree that only a V.C is missing to have the most desirable existing chronos, what a party! Matt 

I too am sorry about the absence of VC -- the Patrimony, for me, is a real classic.  I had the chance to check one out in PT in Geneva in January, and it's so elegant -- really a worthy member of the level of pieces we shared as a group last week.

Best,

Gary

Gary, thank you for posting this wonderful gtg of the renowned watches, and the owners.
De Bethune Chrono is so impressive.  Never knew they made one with Venus inside.  Wow, again.  Drooling worthy piece.  Would love to see the back....
So many Lange - are you sure there were only 5 guys?  So many nice pieces and I am so envious.  Wish NoCal were much closer (theoretically, it would take just 6 to 7 hours from here, about the same as Singapore).  Hmnn.  I could to that next itme (maybe, hopefully....)

Thank you!!

Ken
This message has been edited by KIH on 2011-04-03 04:06:45

After some of the photo spreads that you have presented of your friends' pieces, it would be an honor to spend time with you!  You would most certainly be welcome, anytime.

We had a great time -- it really is more about the people than the watches, but our shared passion gives us no end of things to talk about.  Two of the attendees had recently returned from Basel, so had lots to share on that front as well.

BTW, I'm sitting at Narita right now, connecting between SFO and Seoul/Incheon...

Best,

Gary

..we will definitely have a lot to talk about through the night

Looking forward that oppotunity!

Ken

That would be great!

Best,

Gary

This isn't the best shot, but it's all I have -- maybe I will have another chance sometime!

Hope that helps, at least a little bit...

Best,

Gary

... best chrono movement ever made (as well as with Dato, old Longines, Minerva...) and I would love the modern pieces that have those vintage legendary movement inside.  The price or the case metal is not important here - even the sub 10K pieces with these movement in such great condition outside is really drool worthy for me!  Give my best compliment to the owner.  If he ever gets bored with it..... you know where to find me

Best,
Ken

By the way, the DeBethune and the GO Split are both owned by the same tasteful fellow!  Someone who obviously knows his watches...

I will pass along your kind thoughts.

Best,

Gary

.. To read your posts Gary!

What an interesting GTG! An amazing display of chronos!

There is not a single one I believe not worthy in this group. Each have a very special place. Your group here always have the best on show!

I've also been very impressed with the GO rattrapante. It really is the next best thing from a DS. In fact, I find it better wearing than a DS. But for me, a Dato is enough.... One day in a long time from now perhaps...

Even upon further reflection, I really liked that GO, as did other members of the group!  I'm sorry that I didn't get a photo of the vintage Minerva, as it was also very cool.

I never cease to marvel at the good taste of my friends -- I'm saving a fortune by having lunch with them and trying on their watches

Best,

Gary

So you finally could find your own answer about whether the Double Split in PT is wearable or not ! Thanks for the pictures.

Cheers,

Mark

...that you are right -- the PT DS was easier to wear than I thought!  It helped that the hole in the strap was at exactly the right point so that the fit was neither too tight nor too loose -- I have one PT watch (a Speake-Marin) that weighs at least as much as the DS, I think, and I always seem to be between holes on the strap!

Best,

Gary G

Beautiful gathering Gary!

And you said five guys?! That's a lot of watch for 5 guys!

I can say that chronograph is one of my favorite complication and to see all those beautiful chronographs all together is pure pleasure

Thank you for sharing Gary!

Best,


Sam