ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Roll the Lex · 15 May 2015, 01:24 PM

So I just came back from NYC and visited several places. If you are a WIS, you must go to madison/5th avenue! I didn't take any pictures (all the pics below are for reference and from various sources from the internet). I went thinking I would flip both a TT sub-c and an Explorer I for either the WG sub-c, a Patek 5711 5712, or the aquanaut. I was set on that as being the plan and it was just having to choose one out of the 4. Here's what happened:

Day 1)
Rolex- It was a quick, quick stop. The smurf, the wg sub-c, the holy grail? Beautiful but not enought to flip both watches + cash. I'm in the camp that it looks too much like steel. I can appreciate the yellow tone, but it's not doing it for me. But it's still very pretty. The Hulk caught my eye, again. Got to see the platinum Daytona there as well. The RG Daytona with black dial?

The YG sub?

They were totally out of the BLNR. Oh, the 36mm RG DD with the chocolate dial with the diamonds and rubies- pure sex.

Wempe- saw the RG 15202 and some of the ROCs. Staff politely ignored me.

Day 2)
Tourneau shooting/robber (was going to go there, but luckly I had other things to do)

Day 3)
Grand Seiko- ver, very nice & welcoming staff, allowed me try everything on. Get a 3yr warranty vs. 1yr warranty, get a free wolf winder if you buy.

Tried these on:

Impressions? Build quality is spot on, can go toe to toe with the Swiss. Very, very good stuff. Funny thing is that on the internet, my eye always goes straight to the "Seiko" on the watch and a part of me is thinking "it's a Seiko." In person, completely different story. Spring drive movement is not so pretty, the hi-beat movement was actually good looking- I had always thought a gold rotor was a must with a clear caseback- not so much anymore. The snowflake is made of titanium and is ridiculously light. Love it. But it's too big for me at 41mm. I see a lot of Explorer I vs. GS threads- before I'd say Explorer I all the way. Now... oooh that's a tough one. I love my 214720 and would recommend it to anybody but after trying the hi-beat it got me thinking maybe I should add one of these to the collection.

Then I tried the Tourneau that got robbed- it was after 10am but nobody was in there and the doors were locked, so then I walked up Madison Ave. to...

FP Journe- 721 Madison Ave- My advice is do not got here. DO NOT GO HERE. Seriously. Just don't, avoid it, go as far up as JLC, Panerai and that's that. I thought I'd take a quick peek just for fun. The salesperson there was very welcoming and gave me a hardbound book of the boutique exclusives. He even invited me to attend some event in Chicago where Mr. Journe would be there. I love the setup of the boutique- the front half feels like you're in a museum and there are 2-3 watches in each glass case, the back half feels like a clubhouse with couches and coffee tables. I saw and got to try on this (official policy is no pics allowed):

I don't know what else to say. This picture does not do it justice, not by a long shot.. It's a platinum case and the shimmering part where the numbers are white MOP. It's a boutique exclusive. I love MOP but this MOP looked way, way better than anything I've seen before. I'm not one to take pictures in a store. But this moved me enough to try before the salesperson informed me this was against policy. In person that MOP is just pure sex. Then you flip it over and have the RG movement? Done. The strap was blue as well- just the right shade. Holy grail? Holy S&*t. Mind was blown.

JLC- a few blocks south. Got to see the JLC moonphase with a gray "sunburst" dial. That was OK. I did get to try on the JLC MUT PC in WG. The SS was not in stock. The salesman recommend RG and totally agreed with him. Tried it on and... DAMN

I thought this was plain, didn't like the movement design. But trying it on totally changed my view on this. The movement didn't rock me like a FP Journe but I can't complain either. It's slim, it fits my wrist, it's just classy. Funny thing, thought the rehaut was plain- used to seeing "ROLEX" on it

Tiffanys- Patek is on the 2nd floor- No 5711, no 5712, no aquanaut (except for the dual time) in stock. Did get to try out a 5146 with the gray dial. Shocker here for me, but I kinda prefer the JLC MUT PC over the 5146.

By then I had to return to work and was unable to go anywhere else.

Now coming home... I have no idea what to do. Right now that FPJ and the JLC MUT PC are messing with me. The Rolex RG Daytona and the 36mm RG are standouts from Rolex for me. The GS hi-beat is tempting... ARRRRGGGG!!!

thomaspp · 15 May 2015, 01:29 PM

Nice report!

I like the MUT a lot. Perpetual calendar hmmmm....

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

subtona · 15 May 2015, 01:33 PM

Thanks for sharing.

Where did you try on these grand seiko?

I didn't think they were for sale in the USA ?

salem65 · 15 May 2015, 01:50 PM

Grand Seiko, Grand Seiko, Grand Seiko...
You get any pics inside the Patek boutique at Tiffany's? I am dying to go there one day.

Hairdude1 · 15 May 2015, 02:33 PM

Love that Journe, where is this event and when?? Thanks in advance

zama · 15 May 2015, 06:07 PM

Journe would be my pick

Roll the Lex · 16 May 2015, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomaspp

Nice report!

I like the MUT a lot. Perpetual calendar hmmmm....

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It really is a lovely watch and a pretty good value

Quote:

Originally Posted by subtona

Thanks for sharing.

Where did you try on these grand seiko?

I didn't think they were for sale in the USA ?

They have a few ADs around the US and there is a boutique in NYC (not sure if there are others in other cities)

Here's the website:
http://www.grand-seiko.com/store/north_america/USA.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by salem65

Grand Seiko, Grand Seiko, Grand Seiko...
You get any pics inside the Patek boutique at Tiffany's? I am dying to go there one day.

No I didn't. It's very nice in there. In addition to their current line up they also have some historical pieces on display. Nice place. Staff were nice to me, not so nice to a friend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hairdude1

Love that Journe, where is this event and when?? Thanks in advance

Can't remember the exact details- I think it's in June? If you really want to go, PM me and I can try to get details.

GradyPhilpott · 16 May 2015, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subtona

Thanks for sharing.

Where did you try on these grand seiko?

I didn't think they were for sale in the USA ?

They've been for sale in the US for several years now.

http://www.grand-seiko.com/store/north_america/USA.html

texex91 · 16 May 2015, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roll the Lex

Now coming home... I have no idea what to do. Right now that FPJ and the JLC MUT PC are messing with me. The Rolex RG Daytona and the 36mm RG are standouts from Rolex for me. The GS hi-beat is tempting... ARRRRGGGG!!!

Journe is very cool as well as JLC of course. If you REALLY want to screw up your mind, go try on a Lange...it will work it's way into your dreams at night

PJ S · 16 May 2015, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subtona

I didn't think they were for sale in the USA ?

Hang on a mo'....you've been on here for over 4 years, racked up nearly 13K posts, and you expect us to believe you were clueless about Grand Seikos having been officially on sale these past 5 years?

Yeah, yeah...pull the other one – it plays Jingle Bells!

tigerpac · 17 May 2015, 01:48 AM

Who'd you deal with at Journe, was it William?

Love that boutique. Pics don't the pieces justice as you've said.

subtona · 17 May 2015, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

They've been for sale in the US for several years now.

http://www.grand-seiko.com/store/north_america/USA.html

thanks Grady

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJ S

Hang on a mo'....you've been on here for over 4 years, racked up nearly 13K posts, and you expect us to believe you were clueless about Grand Seikos having been officially on sale these past 5 years?

Yeah, yeah...pull the other one – it plays Jingle Bells!

haven't noticed them in any AD's, i guess i am used to walking by the Seiko counter…always have been curious about the GS.

That and also haven't noticed any GS boutique on the usual horology walk in midtown up 5 ave and across 57 st…

always room to learn something new

FTX I · 17 May 2015, 04:03 AM

I've been there early this year. Very nice indeed.

mps354 · 17 May 2015, 06:08 AM

Love that journe

Vipes · 17 May 2015, 06:09 AM

Looks like you had a nice time in NYC. I really like the GS hi beat but the bracelet is sub par compared to the rest of the watch. I still may add one sometime in the future, though. I agree with you on the JLC MUT; the movement finishing is not nice enough but I guess it would be more expensive if it were. I would wait and try on the Patek Nautilus before making a decision.

GB-man · 17 May 2015, 06:26 AM

I loved reading it as I have had the same afternoon several times! WIS paradise! Journe, ALS, wempe and cellini at the Waldorf is a must for drool worthy pieces, but I recommend the Madison location for better service come time to buy.

malarky_hk · 17 May 2015, 12:14 PM

The Journe looks amazing, but the colour scheme reminds me of the DD platty.

15 May 2015, 01:24 PM	#1
Roll the Lex "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,842	Visited NYC So I just came back from NYC and visited several places. If you are a WIS, you must go to madison/5th avenue! I didn't take any pictures (all the pics below are for reference and from various sources from the internet). I went thinking I would flip both a TT sub-c and an Explorer I for either the WG sub-c, a Patek 5711 5712, or the aquanaut. I was set on that as being the plan and it was just having to choose one out of the 4. Here's what happened: Day 1) Rolex- It was a quick, quick stop. The smurf, the wg sub-c, the holy grail? Beautiful but not enought to flip both watches + cash. I'm in the camp that it looks too much like steel. I can appreciate the yellow tone, but it's not doing it for me. But it's still very pretty. The Hulk caught my eye, again. Got to see the platinum Daytona there as well. The RG Daytona with black dial? The YG sub? They were totally out of the BLNR. Oh, the 36mm RG DD with the chocolate dial with the diamonds and rubies- pure sex. Wempe- saw the RG 15202 and some of the ROCs. Staff politely ignored me. Day 2) Tourneau shooting/robber (was going to go there, but luckly I had other things to do) Day 3) Grand Seiko- ver, very nice & welcoming staff, allowed me try everything on. Get a 3yr warranty vs. 1yr warranty, get a free wolf winder if you buy. Tried these on: Impressions? Build quality is spot on, can go toe to toe with the Swiss. Very, very good stuff. Funny thing is that on the internet, my eye always goes straight to the "Seiko" on the watch and a part of me is thinking "it's a Seiko." In person, completely different story. Spring drive movement is not so pretty, the hi-beat movement was actually good looking- I had always thought a gold rotor was a must with a clear caseback- not so much anymore. The snowflake is made of titanium and is ridiculously light. Love it. But it's too big for me at 41mm. I see a lot of Explorer I vs. GS threads- before I'd say Explorer I all the way. Now... oooh that's a tough one. I love my 214720 and would recommend it to anybody but after trying the hi-beat it got me thinking maybe I should add one of these to the collection. Then I tried the Tourneau that got robbed- it was after 10am but nobody was in there and the doors were locked, so then I walked up Madison Ave. to... FP Journe- 721 Madison Ave- My advice is do not got here. DO NOT GO HERE. Seriously. Just don't, avoid it, go as far up as JLC, Panerai and that's that. I thought I'd take a quick peek just for fun. The salesperson there was very welcoming and gave me a hardbound book of the boutique exclusives. He even invited me to attend some event in Chicago where Mr. Journe would be there. I love the setup of the boutique- the front half feels like you're in a museum and there are 2-3 watches in each glass case, the back half feels like a clubhouse with couches and coffee tables. I saw and got to try on this (official policy is no pics allowed): I don't know what else to say. This picture does not do it justice, not by a long shot.. It's a platinum case and the shimmering part where the numbers are white MOP. It's a boutique exclusive. I love MOP but this MOP looked way, way better than anything I've seen before. I'm not one to take pictures in a store. But this moved me enough to try before the salesperson informed me this was against policy. In person that MOP is just pure sex. Then you flip it over and have the RG movement? Done. The strap was blue as well- just the right shade. Holy grail? Holy S&*t. Mind was blown. JLC- a few blocks south. Got to see the JLC moonphase with a gray "sunburst" dial. That was OK. I did get to try on the JLC MUT PC in WG. The SS was not in stock. The salesman recommend RG and totally agreed with him. Tried it on and... DAMN I thought this was plain, didn't like the movement design. But trying it on totally changed my view on this. The movement didn't rock me like a FP Journe but I can't complain either. It's slim, it fits my wrist, it's just classy. Funny thing, thought the rehaut was plain- used to seeing "ROLEX" on it Tiffanys- Patek is on the 2nd floor- No 5711, no 5712, no aquanaut (except for the dual time) in stock. Did get to try out a 5146 with the gray dial. Shocker here for me, but I kinda prefer the JLC MUT PC over the 5146. By then I had to return to work and was unable to go anywhere else. Now coming home... I have no idea what to do. Right now that FPJ and the JLC MUT PC are messing with me. The Rolex RG Daytona and the 36mm RG are standouts from Rolex for me. The GS hi-beat is tempting... ARRRRGGGG!!!

15 May 2015, 01:29 PM	#2
thomaspp "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: N/A Posts: 11,137	Visited NYC Nice report! I like the MUT a lot. Perpetual calendar hmmmm.... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Instagram: @watches_anonymous

15 May 2015, 01:33 PM	#3
subtona "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: gus Location: East Coast Watch: APK & sometimes Y Posts: 26,598	Thanks for sharing. Where did you try on these grand seiko? I didn't think they were for sale in the USA ? __________________

15 May 2015, 01:50 PM	#4
salem65 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada Watch: JS Watch co. 101 Posts: 1,395	Grand Seiko, Grand Seiko, Grand Seiko... You get any pics inside the Patek boutique at Tiffany's? I am dying to go there one day. __________________ JS Watch 101 ▪ Grand Seiko SBGX061 ▪ Breitling A17364

15 May 2015, 02:33 PM	#5
Hairdude1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Real Name: Alex Location: Chicago Watch: AP,PP, Rolex Posts: 37,156	Love that Journe, where is this event and when?? Thanks in advance __________________ Instagram: @Hairdude Watches in Collection 5070R, 5522A, 214270 MK1, 228238 16750, 26401, 5711, 116718, 116710LN, 116300, 16710"Coke", 372, 15300, 15703 (All Flipped) Official Member "Perpetual 30" Las Vegas GTG 2016 Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2017 Official Member 'WIS-CON' Las Vegas Int'l GTG 2018

15 May 2015, 06:07 PM	#6
zama "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Real Name: Craig Location: Sydney Watch: 4 Broken glass Posts: 5,808	Journe would be my pick __________________ Day Date 118206, Daytona 116509 & 116505, AP 25859ST Gone but not forgotten and genuinely missed..... Root Beer GMT, Sub, TT Daytona, YG DD Bark, Datejust(2 his & hers), AP RO, PP Aquanaut, Lange 1, Heuer Monza, Piaget Altiplano, GP Chrono, Seamaster, Tudor Sub, Tudor Chrono, Tudor Black Bay Bronze

17 May 2015, 01:48 AM	#11
tigerpac "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Hoboken, NJ Posts: 673	Who'd you deal with at Journe, was it William? Love that boutique. Pics don't the pieces justice as you've said.

17 May 2015, 04:03 AM	#13
FTX I "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Real Name: Flavio Location: N/A Posts: 14,654	I've been there early this year. Very nice indeed.

17 May 2015, 06:08 AM	#14
mps354 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Real Name: Mike Location: CT Posts: 9,098	Love that journe

17 May 2015, 06:09 AM	#15
Vipes "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 4,913	Looks like you had a nice time in NYC. I really like the GS hi beat but the bracelet is sub par compared to the rest of the watch. I still may add one sometime in the future, though. I agree with you on the JLC MUT; the movement finishing is not nice enough but I guess it would be more expensive if it were. I would wait and try on the Patek Nautilus before making a decision.

17 May 2015, 06:26 AM	#16
GB-man 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: USA Watch: addiction issues Posts: 37,355	I loved reading it as I have had the same afternoon several times! WIS paradise! Journe, ALS, wempe and cellini at the Waldorf is a must for drool worthy pieces, but I recommend the Madison location for better service come time to buy. __________________

17 May 2015, 12:14 PM	#17
malarky_hk "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: ... Watch: Rolex Posts: 4,466	The Journe looks amazing, but the colour scheme reminds me of the DD platty.

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