Horological Meandering

We all think carefully about watches to wear to significant events. So what would your wear to meet your head of state? And in particular, what watch would be appropriate for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth?

A

. . . probably . . . 

. . . this . . . 

... you have to know your place. You can't upstage any of the Royal Family and there is a definite pecking order. Would a white metal be more understated or is coloured gold acceptable?

Andrew

. . . meeting the Queen, my instinctual response is that vintage is most appropriate.  Choice of metal would be secondary.

. . . along with a t-shirt and shorts.  Don't tell me it's the same in Australia!  

If my meeting was to be at, say a dinner where conversation could ensue, I might opt for something that could evoke discussion -- such as a Gruebel Forsay (had I one....) or a Haldimann (but not a H9! ...or H10, H11, see Andreas' current posting on AHCI) or an Antigua, a MB&F, or ... name something of high horology that is likely to attract attention.   On the other hand, if it was just going to be a handshake meeting, then it probably hardly matters at all, but I'd probably feel more comfortable wearing something more on the formal/dressy side.  I wouldn't worry about upstaging the royalty/head of state; most are used to folks in gold/diamond watches, good clothes, fancy jewelry.  Basically, I'd choose one that made me most comfortable that day.  BUT, one huge caveat:  if I was meeting royalty/a head of state in a country where there was a current watchmaker, then it might be nice, if possible, to wear that watchmaker's art:  say a RGM to meet the US President, or a CvdK in Holland or a Speake-Marin in England, etc. etc. etc.   This message has been edited by SethRL on 2011-10-24 17:09:25

And a companion for Chairman Mao. Are there any other versions of these watches?

Thanks for the great suggestion.

A

...waving Robespierre watch but no luck.

Hope the tour goes well, does this mean you get a shiny new desk?

...but the arm came off.

 

Cheers,

pplater.

...Robespierre Edition is that it stops dead when placed face up....

 

How appropriate to meet a head of State with my own.

 

Tschuss all the way!

Stephen

An excellent choice, stylish, subtlety, and substance.  

Cheers bro

Stephen

as they probably would not know   I'd wear something not loud though.

Most people don't care about or know anything about the watches we wear. But it means something to us and they are usually carefully chosen for the day or occasion. It doesn't really matter if no one knows.

I wont tell you how I choose my underwear, but I can promise it is done with some thought.

"If a man speaks in the forest and there are no women around to hear, is he still wrong?"

A

 

...definitively, yes...

Best,

Gary

about the underwear that is....

...if you can borrow one somewhere or unbeknownst to me have one stashed away, by all means a Roger Smith Series 2 -- solid dial version, yellow gold.  Or a Daniels Millenium watch.

Failing that, I'm thinking dressy but not flashy or too complex.  So, Jules Audemars Extra Thin, yes; Jules Audemars Equation of Time, no.  Voutialainen Observatoire, yes, Voutilainen Decimal Repeater 10 with the open dial, no.  Much as I love him/them, nothing by Vianney for the Queen.  Anything by Dufour OK -- even a Grande Sonnerie (he gets a special pass on the complexity bit because the watches are so subtle and he is, after all, Dufour).  A nice solid dial VC repeater would be OK -- you will be the only one that knows you have a super watch on, which will make you feel good but isn't at all pushy.  Classic vintage Omega, yes; FPJ Dead Seconds Tourb, no (sorry...).

To me colored gold is just fine (of course, that's pretty much what I wear).   I visualize Her Majesty as a YG person, but who knows -- lots of other metals in all of those tiaras and crowns, but I'm assuming she'll be dressed a bit more modestly for this meeting.

As mentioned elsewhere in the thread (and reflected in my first sentence above) something from the appropriate country of origin always makes a good impression, I suppose.  Of course, you could then show pride in local production by going with Eva Leube -- violates my sobriety advice a bit, but is legitimately local!

If I were meeting President Obama, I might or might not try to score a RGM for the occasion.  My sense is that it is more important for him to "buy American" than it is for me.  I might actually wear the JLC MUT that my wife bought for me specifically because it carries something of her with it -- dressing for the memory of the occasion and to pay tribute to her belief in me rather than for the royal/presidential interaction itself.

For Putin or other despots, definitely Patek.  In China, probably VC.  Hugo Chavez, don't know...

Fun to think about!

Best,

Gary G

Thanks for entering into the mind game, Gary.

 

Unfortunately I had already ruled out the FPJ Dead Seconds as well. L

 

I agree that a Daniels pocket watch or a Roger Smith wristwatch would be appropriate as well as a classic, preferably two-hand, dress watch under 38mm (ideally around 34-36mm).

 

Possibly the steel Constellation or how about the YG Breguet La Tradition?

 

I hope you get to meet the POTUS one day, as the JLC MUT deserves such an occasion.

 

Regards

 

Andrew

Shows wonderful taste and restraint, and doesn't call undue attention to oneself -- a lovely watch and completely appropriate to the occasion.

Thanks for the wish on POTUS -- I did surprise myself when I ran the thought experiment you proposed on myself! In the end it wasn't about the watch, but more about including my wife in the occasion and "sharing" the honor with her in a small way. It is all about the people...

Best,

Gary

Actually, there is another option with which she might be familiar. If a Harrison, Tompion, Arnold (the original English Arnold..) or Daniels are out of reach, then perhaps this little number will suffice -

Will we get photographs of our HoMe mod graciously condescending to interrupt his busy moderating schedule to afford an audience to the Queen of Australia? Will you ask her for a joint wrist-shot?

 

Cheers,

pplater.

A joint wirst shot would be nice. That would be a coup . IMHO, a white metal or yellow gold dress watch would suit the occasion. This message has been edited by AndrewD on 2011-10-24 22:55:30

Something from the crowned brand...

5517 SAS.

Best,

Nicolas.

This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-10-24 20:50:40

One of the smallest movement made.Not much bigger than a matchstick head.

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