ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
1 October 2018, 02:16 AM | #1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: DC
Posts: 65
|
Two-Watch Collection for the next 10-years
Hello everyone,
I am reaching out for your advice once again to help in my desire to create only a two-watch collection that will last me for the next ten years or more. I am turning 50 soon and I have grown really tired of waiting for Rolex watches and buying Rolex watches over the past few years that I don’t really want, to possibly get the watch I do, one day. I am still waiting for my Rolex BLRO - no hurry though, this watch deserves a spot in my two-watch collection. Anyway, I want to add a classic and simple dress watch as my other watch. I am torn between the A. Lange Saxonia Thin 37mm and the Patek Calatrava 5196J-001 Yellow Gold. From reading this blog and seeing both watches in in person, I now understand many of our reader's love for A. Lange and their disdain for the Patek price creep. However, there is a feeling of horological history from Patek that I can’t deny either. For a man who only turns 50 one time, would you recommend the Patek or the A. Lange in a two-watch collection, along with the 126710 BLRO? I am torn between two great watches. Thank you :+) |
1 October 2018, 02:25 AM | #2 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Real Name: gus
Location: East Coast
Watch: APK & sometimes Y
Posts: 26,602
|
Difficult decision between the two.
I very much like the aesthetic of the ALS you reference but agree there is a bit of magic absent. However the modern calatrave has a bit of aesthetic missing for me. Between the two I would go with the als. Alternatively I chose a grand seiko which I feel hit the bullseye on its own merit. The sbgw253 has it all imho (except for the crap oem strap) and is a no excuses pleasure to own. Do you prefer no date or date on your dress watch?
__________________
|
1 October 2018, 02:40 AM | #3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: USA
Posts: 6,545
|
I would go with ALS. It’s a beautiful piece of art
__________________
Wear the watch you like, not the one they tell you to wear! |
1 October 2018, 02:46 AM | #4 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: VA
Watch: GMT Master 16750
Posts: 1,373
|
A great question with which to be plagued. I'd go for the ALS. I think the Calatrava is a stunning piece, but ALS is more of a sleeper.
My two for 50 are the 1675 GMT and Reverso Tribute Calendar. |
1 October 2018, 04:28 AM | #5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Real Name: Joseph
Location: Rockwall TX
Watch: Lots
Posts: 1,223
|
My ideal dress watch if I ever pull the trigger is the 5116 with the hobnail bezel. I really like the ALS and other Patek dress watches but the 5116 just does it for me.
|
1 October 2018, 04:42 AM | #6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: USA
Watch: Meteorite Daytona
Posts: 367
|
I was in the same position (looking for a 50th B-day dress watch) and choose a Lange. Nothing against PP just liked the styling on the Lange's better. Took me about 9 months to make my choice. If I can offer any advice, do not rush the purchase to make a certain date. Take your time, do your research and when you make your choice wait two days before you purchase, just to make sure.
Good luck and enjoy the process. |
1 October 2018, 04:46 AM | #7 |
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Real Name: Travis
Location: FL / NYC
Watch: Yes..
Posts: 33,500
|
Entirely personal but I prefer the ALS in this case.
|
1 October 2018, 06:18 AM | #8 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: U.S.A.
Watch: Always!
Posts: 557
|
PP Calatrava
|
1 October 2018, 06:55 AM | #9 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Real Name: Steve
Location: Maine
Watch: Explorer II 16570
Posts: 1,396
|
White/ivory PP would be my pick. Or, Cellini Moonphase.
|
1 October 2018, 06:57 AM | #10 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: N/A
Watch: AP, VC, Breguet
Posts: 1,581
|
I would go with ALS
__________________
The Most Valuable Commodity is Time Audemars, Vacheron, Breguet, Jaquet Droz, JLC, Rolex, Omega, Cartier |
1 October 2018, 07:26 AM | #11 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Real Name: T
Location: AZ, NV, CA
Posts: 6,490
|
Patek
|
1 October 2018, 11:04 AM | #12 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: North
Posts: 333
|
Absolutely the ALS for me
|
1 October 2018, 02:00 PM | #13 |
Banned
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Paris
Posts: 118
|
Pp
|
2 October 2018, 08:36 PM | #14 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Real Name: Jace
Location: Boca Raton
Watch: Platinum DD 40
Posts: 329
|
The definition of a classic dress watch is time only frequently without a date. So, specifically to your request of a classic and simple dress watch it it is very difficult to argue with the Patek Philippe Calatrava. They make a very simple watch seem very beautiful.
I am a huge fan of Lange but their very simple models do not do it for me. I love the Saxonia annual calendar and the Zeitwork is a true grail for me. Exclusive of the classic dress watch restriction, if I had to choose between the two brands I would probably go Lange. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk |
2 October 2018, 08:39 PM | #15 |
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Real Name: Brian (TBone)
Location: canada
Watch: es make me smile
Posts: 78,135
|
I prefer the aesthetics of the ALS.
Have you considered a Cellini? |
2 October 2018, 11:34 PM | #16 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Midlands, UK
Posts: 4,978
|
This is precisely what i'm planning at 50.
I am also torn between a PP and ALS. I love Lange, but Patek is the pinnacle isn't it. Currently i wear a Jaeger Lecoultre, Mater Ultra thin Moonphase. Its a beautiful watch that gets you close to classically sized, under the cuff dress watch. In answer to your actual question. PP Cal. Problem there is, i would choose the JLC. Sorry! |
2 October 2018, 11:51 PM | #18 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,944
|
I personally prefer the ALS to the modern Calatrava. While Patek is still Patek, the modern Calatravas seem to lack some of the historical charm that I enjoy so much with the vintage ones.
The Saxonia Thin is one my personal short list for a watch collection as well.
__________________
Current Rolex Submariner 126610LN || Cartier Tank Americaine |
3 October 2018, 01:32 AM | #19 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New York City
Watch: Rolex Daytona
Posts: 111
|
Both the Calatrava 5196 and Saxonia Thin are undeniably great watches. Both have very nice movements though the Saxonia movement is more modern and you get to enjoy it with the clear case back. Both are quite understated, particularly the ALS.
Another ALS that has captured my attention lately is the Saxonia Automatic. The 380.028 with the blue dial is quite attractive and there's quite a bit of horological magic packed into the movement. |
3 October 2018, 01:36 AM | #20 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: USA
Posts: 4,406
|
Gonna go with the PP.
|
3 October 2018, 02:01 AM | #21 |
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,405
|
|
3 October 2018, 02:10 AM | #22 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 3,411
|
I have a Lange Saxonia (the automatic, not the thin). I was deciding between that watch and a Calatrava when I was in the market for a simple dress watch. While the lure of becoming a "Patek" owner was tempting, I couldn't resist the clean aesthetics of the Saxonia. It's an amazing watch line from Lange. I think that and the new BLRO makes for a great duo if you want one of your two pieces to be a proper dress watch.
|
3 October 2018, 03:49 AM | #23 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: London
Watch: 116710BLNR
Posts: 7
|
Both ALS and PP are great, but why does the Piaget Altiplano get no love?
|
3 October 2018, 04:02 AM | #24 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: CT
Watch: Sub
Posts: 357
|
Patek
|
7 October 2018, 12:30 AM | #25 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Real Name: Jace
Location: Boca Raton
Watch: Platinum DD 40
Posts: 329
|
|
7 October 2018, 12:31 AM | #26 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Real Name: Jace
Location: Boca Raton
Watch: Platinum DD 40
Posts: 329
|
Quote:
JLC makes amazing dress watches. I can’t argue at all. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk |
|
7 October 2018, 01:17 AM | #27 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Canada
Watch: Me
Posts: 1,168
|
I can't chose between those two they are both very classymeither would be perfect.
I just turned 49 and right now I plan on getting a 36mm Day Date for my 50th.
__________________
1771036 Stupidity is doomed, therefore, to cringe at every syllable of wisdom Heraclitus of Ephesus |
7 October 2018, 12:14 PM | #28 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: manila
Posts: 2,541
|
Undeniably hard to choose between the two. I would get a Patek in celebrating a milestone. Good luck!
|
7 October 2018, 01:48 PM | #29 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Real Name: John
Location: Texas
Watch: 14060
Posts: 3,434
|
Of the two you mentioned I like the 5196. Have you considered F.P. Journe? The Chronometre Souverain dial is a little busier but it is a beautiful dress watch.
|
7 October 2018, 01:58 PM | #30 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Real Name: Chris
Location: Austin
Watch: 6 digit Rolex+APRO
Posts: 1,561
|
5196 would be my choice. ALS gets a lot of love, and rightfully so, but Patek has been around a long time and is a safer bet if you ever need to sell it.
The 5196 also shares the 324SC movement from the Aquanaut and Nautilus. The Calatrava is to dress watches what the Rolex submariner is to dive watches. It is a timeless and classic design. |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|
*Banners
Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.