New to watch collecting and need some buying advise

[Corey986]

So I say I'm new to watch collecting because I never thought of it as collecting.

Recently my teenager started getting into watches and he realized while I don't actually wear a watch all that often I happen to have a few from back in my going to an office daily days.

So I took out the old watches and with some googling how some were still "in style" while others never became classics like my tricolor gold Rolex (yes it was tacky when I got it but weren't we all). I sold most of them and only kept the ones with sentimental value.

Here is where I get to needing advise. I want to start wearing a watch again on a daily basis. So I want to get a new or slightly pre-owned one. I'm thinking of an PP aquanaut or AP Royal Oak. I have excluded wearing a PP Nautilus on a daily basis, too fragile and scratchable.

I know I'm in the AP forum here, but I figure the PP one will always say buy a PP.

One more thing, my son says I should just buy a new Blue Milgauss with green tint since I'm always working on old radios, computers and TVs and save the extra money.

Thanks for any help in the decision,
Cheers,
Corey

[Hairdude1]

Welcome, I would visit as many boutiques as you can and see what you are drawn too. I say boutiques as your close to NYC and they have PP, AP, Vc, Rolex, Iwc, among others and start there. You may surprise yourself and go for the Nautilus. I would bring your son along and see what he says as I assume you will pass it along to him. Happy hunting!

[mmancari]

I like the Aquanut very much. It's subtle and stylish. When you try on the watch, you'll know. I love both my Rolex and AP. Whatever you do, its best to take the time to make your decision. A watch tell a lot about a person... my opinion of course. My next watch is a FP Journe chrono bleu.

[Manofsteelpt]

So, you don't wear a watch... You've recently decided you want to start wearing a watch daily, and you're gonna just plunk down $20k for one? Interesting.

As for your choices, the PP Nautilus isnt any more fragile and scratch prone than an AP or PP Aqua. So, pick what you think you're going to enjoy wearing.

[locutus49]

Get a watch that you won't mind being dinged and scratches, and enjoyed it everywhere. I recommend the Sub with Date (cyclops). It should last many years before needing servicing. Unless you want a vintage for some reason, buy the newest modern model you can afford.

PM one of our Trusted Dealers (DavidSW, Takuya, Onlyrolexs, OCrolexguy, etc) once you try on some at the stores, to see what he can do for you price wise. Should be able to save you good money on ether new of used models.

[jem7v]

Not sure why you think the nautilus is fragile and will scratch easy. You will be sorely disappointed when you discover there is no difference with the royal oak.

[GB-man]

Well there's one good reason not to get a nautilus. They can't be had right now without a great relationship or a laughable premium. I can't blame the OP for ruling them out. I know I would.

As stated, go into the city and walk around uptown and hit the boutiques and wempe. See what stands out.

Aquanaut is a great choice imo.

[2nastie]

Hey Corey, welcome to the forums. You can't really go wrong with what you choose, be it a Rolex, Omega, AP, PP, etc. etc. However, I suggest you venture into getting a new Rolex or an Omega first especially if you image yourself "investing" in or accumulating more pieces for a collection in the future.

Whether people like to argue or not on what is the penultimate brand: AP, PP, Lange, VC are typically regarded in the grail category of watches. Similar to a Ferrari in cars as an example. You might not want to just jump into a Ferrari per say without trying the other brands first. It just changes your expectation. Kind of ruins the experience.

[Corey986]

Ok. So I did finally decide what to do. It's not like the banks are paying decent interest if you keep the cash in the bank, might as well enjoy it.

I got a Nautilus and a Milgauss, not in the same day. The Nautilus is two years old so I will need a service in about a year and it will need to be polished, it has a slight scuff if the light is just right. The Nautilus bracket is just amazing and then blue dial is so cool reflecting in the sun. I got scared from reading about AP servicing. I know PP is bad, like owning a Lamborghini, but AP sounded like owning an old 80's Ferrari where the engine had to come out every major service to change the belts and water pump.

The Milgauss was purchased from an AD in Delaware. I love how the blue and geeen look. I never thought about it but blue must be my favorite color. I always thought it was yellow :-) My weekend car is blue and I have kept it longer than any other sports car I have ever owned. So both watches match my car.

Cheers,
Corey

[sirish19]

Nice pickups, congratulations. Post pics please.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[wach16]

Welcome and nice pickups...I recently got the Z blue and I am loving it so far as well. My AP will always have a spot in the collection though

[Corey986]

Originally Posted by sirish19

Nice pickups, congratulations. Post pics please.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'll try to get some pics taken this holiday weekend. I'm hoping to make my first posted pics a themed one. I do have to admit I have taken a lot of iPhone video of the Nautilus movement more than the front. It's mesmerizing. I think it might take a little time to get a good picture of the Milgauss, may need to pull out the Nikon. When the sun hits that green crystal it is the coolest thing and I want to capture it, right now you can only appreciate how cool that one is in person.

Cheers,
Corey

[lapince]

Welcome to the forum!
I was excited about starting to wear the unworn AP 15300 Blue dial I had in my safe for 8 months, after wearing itnfor 2 hours and playing with it, Realized it had zero effect on me, while I love my 5167 and my 2 Nautilus, so I would say Aquanaut, but you know a Nautilus is not more delicate than a RO, it even has better water resistance, my favorite would be 5711/12 > 5167, but no RO, but that's just me, maybe you will enjoy a RO, I know I didn't, but we are all different.
I just love my PP's and also my AP ceramic diver in 42mm, But the RO's are really not for me, maybe they will be for you.

Good luck on your decision

[lapince]

Sorry just saw what you got, good call on the Nautilus, I suppose it's a 5711? Awesome watch for sure, I have it and while my fave is the 5712, I love the 5711. Good choice. Hoping to see pics.
You say your son is into watches, which brands does he like? Cool that the younger generation is into them as well, good kid

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Corey986

Ok. So I did finally decide what to do. It's not like the banks are paying decent interest if you keep the cash in the bank, might as well enjoy it.

I got a Nautilus and a Milgauss, not in the same day. The Nautilus is two years old so I will need a service in about a year and it will need to be polished, it has a slight scuff if the light is just right. The Nautilus bracket is just amazing and then blue dial is so cool reflecting in the sun. I got scared from reading about AP servicing. I know PP is bad, like owning a Lamborghini, but AP sounded like owning an old 80's Ferrari where the engine had to come out every major service to change the belts and water pump.

The Milgauss was purchased from an AD in Delaware. I love how the blue and geeen look. I never thought about it but blue must be my favorite color. I always thought it was yellow :-) My weekend car is blue and I have kept it longer than any other sports car I have ever owned. So both watches match my car.

Cheers,
Corey

Sounds like you did well with the "advice" you received.

I would now *advise* you to enjoy the heck out of those two great pieces.

[AK797]

Congrats on the two, altho I think you've got AP and PP service mixed up there, it's PP's potential 6 months wait time that has most of us most concerned.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by AK797

Congrats on the two, altho I think you've got AP and PP service mixed up there, it's PP's potential 6 months wait time that has most of us most concerned.

Exactly...APSC best in the business!