destrodan
509
That's interesting...
...I went the other way, and now consider Patek a tad lower tier than VC in the modern era (I recently sold off my Pateks and picked up a couple of VCs instead). Of course I believe they're both on par at the higher end of their ranges.
I know VC is not the popular choice as the market can attest with Patek and Rolex, but the level of finishing at the medium-to-lower end of Patek's range over the past 20 or so years has left something to be desired and has, therefore, left a bad taste in my mouth. That being said, my AD recently offered me a 5711/1A-011 and I'm thinking it through. Maybe I'll get back into the Patek world, but I fear my cautious attitude may be telling me the watch wouldn't be a keeper.
I've read H on a very rare occasion, and I do agree with you that they likely have something against Patek. Who can forget the (in)famous 'Three On Three: Stainless Steel Sport Watches With Integrated Bracelets' review of the AP Royal Oak vs Vacheron Overseas vs a Piaget something-or-other that didn't have an integrated bracelet (instead of a Patek Nautilus). It appeared to me to be an intended snub of Patek. It seemed so petty and small.
Kind regards,
Dan
More posts:
thoughts on "the two watch collection"
I recently came across an online article called "the Two-Watch Collection," which imagines what the author (Ben Clymer) would keep if he winnowed his personal collection down to just two watches. He chose the Lange 1815 chrono and the Patek 3940. I've nev...
thanks, and understood...
These are obviously incredibly personal choices; everyone will have a different "two watch collection" (or a sense that two is never enough).
Just curious if that article was before the H website became a full blown AD? :)
No question the two you have are one the best representative in their respective category. Like you, I prefer the 1815 Chrono and I have yet to find my dream PC because I intend to own just 1 of each complication to avoid redundancy but ironically we own ...
thanks, and it's really just a fun thought exercise...
I have no intention of selling off my other watches. Everything on your list appeals to me, particularly the bracelet sports watch (see my answer to someone else below). That said, I could die happy even without ever owning a world time (I don't do enough...
thanks for sharing !
interesting... Ben Clymer owns a Philippe Dufour he neither choose it nor the speedy that was a gift from his grandfather (which was eventually the story behind start of H) ! may be his thoughts were not for his own 2 watch collection ;-) Best, mahesh.,
yep, as I said ...
I don't know him and have no idea what's in his collection, which I assume is impressive. But his article did resonate with me -- but after, not before, I ended up with these two references in my collection.
i understand...your chosen 2 pcs are impeccable - my personal fav being the 1815 Chrono...one thing probably....
you should make it as 3 watch collection in this case - a beater is an absolute must, Steel or Titanium or anything that you can wear to most activity without much 2nd thought. i recollect even Roger Smith has a kind of 'only watch', the Explorer 1 - make...
It does indeed...
I won’t actually be winnowing my collection down to two watches for quite some time, if ever. In the meantime I have a couple of very nice steel watches — and a couple of plastic Garmin watches too, come to think of it.
I hear you!
For me, if I had to choose one, it would be the 3940, but that's probably just a function of having just bought it.
Somehow the last purchase is the first among equals....
A perpetual calendar is nice too. ...
Don’t credit Patek with a “defiant “ response to the “Quartz Crisis “.
They fully participated in the move to quartz movements and made a hell of a lot of money doing so. The two watches you chose for a “two watch “ collection are as worthy as any two you could pick. But your very choices prove that a two watch collection is...
Great photos, sensational!
Your choice is absolutes brilliant and easy to understand. Both of the watches can hardly be topped, and they represent Swiss and German watchmaking at its very, very best. I made my choice the other way round: a perpetual calendar from Lange and a chrono...
This is a great post.
I love your photography and your reasoning behind choosing this pair as a perfect 2 watch collection. Personally, I would also choose the 1815 Chrono over the Datograph as well. This for sure is a dynamic duo but I can’t imagine living without at least on...
Oh no...Vacheron Constantin just became a lower tier brand :) ?
So are Bulgari, Omega and Grand Seiko who appointed them as AD?
Well...I don't consider VC "low tier", but today I certainly consider it on a "lower tier" than Patek and quite a few other brands -- including VC herself in the past ;-)
And most other brands Hodinkee is proudly an AD of are also quite obviously lower tier, I think there's no doubt about that. Maybe it's just me my friend, but I simply cannot envision Patek or other top brands deciding to sell their watches on 'the H'. Bu...
Not a lot of professors can afford a 5131P and 2 Specialty PPs plus other watches :)
And I’m sure even some high white collar executive crave for those 3 PPs so congrats to you Fab. Think about why co-branding become a H-uge thing now? It’s all due to skyrocketing auction prices and people (Not you and me but many again, deep pocket ones)...
Thanks my friend...
Just to avoid misunderstandings (Italians who are self-made and not financially supported by their families are particularly proud of their rare condition.. ), I was entirely accurate when I said that I buy all my watches (and clothes, vacations, etc. etc...
That's interesting...
...I went the other way, and now consider Patek a tad lower tier than VC in the modern era (I recently sold off my Pateks and picked up a couple of VCs instead). Of course I believe they're both on par at the higher end of their ranges. I know VC is not t...
Thanks for your perspective, I appreciate it. In the end, it all comes down to what makes us happier, and to what are our parameters are when we make an informed decision...
If you chose to move from Patek to VC because in your opinion this latter satisfied certain criteria better than Patek did, then I think that, by definition, you've made a good choice. I'm not into VC for a number of reasons, but I have no doubt that thei...
Thanks for your reply which resonates with me. We all have our reasons...
...and if we can find a brand or two that put a smile on our face for the long term we should count ourselves lucky (I've been in the game for a number of decades now and have refined my value positions many times along the way). I've considered the 5320 ...
On the contrary, destrodan
Ben Clymer is probably the biggest fan of Patek west of Thierry Stern. All his dream watches are Pateks.
I don't know Ben or anyone else at Hodinkee ...
As we say in the US, I have no dog in this fight. I just liked the article.
I had a Royal Oak Chrono once ...
... and the movement was unreliable. I sold it and went with a Rolex 116500 (pictured above), and I've never looked back.
10/10 PERFECTION!!!! ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!!
WOW WOW WOW...... What can I say..... 2 pieces.... DONE AND DUSTED I so wish I could do the same........ but I have mental problems...... ...
Impecable duo!
You cover EVERY possible occasion with those two beauties. And each piece is an outstanding ambassador for their house. Enjoy your collection!
Terrific write-up and photos as usual!
I'm obviously partial to the 1815 chrono myself, and if I ever have to narrow my collection to two pieces, it will definitely be one of it.
