Evolution of a watch collection…

[zama]

I feel for some of those beauties lost from the collection over time....... Nice pick up on the Pelagos from one flipper to the other not sure how long it will stay, but some fun in the meantime.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by cop414

Looks great Gus!

Thanks Tim my friend

Originally Posted by red1108nyc

Congrats buddy Gus! A fun and practical piece!

Thanks buddy Fred. Agree a little fun for the collection.


Really nice piece in person and an easy fit into a collection

[subtona]

Originally Posted by zama

I feel for some of those beauties lost from the collection over time....... Nice pick up on the Pelagos from one flipper to the other not sure how long it will stay, but some fun in the meantime.

No regrets however the Pelagos may already be gone... The girl has taken a liking to it and laughs when I tell her I bought it for me not her ... It officially never even made it into my house ...
She's been eyeing the 5170... I may have to throw in the white flag here

[JohnAndrew]

Originally Posted by subtona

In the box

Very, very sharp!

[ucsdmuiron1986]

Loved the post about the evolution of the collection, over time! Which ones get the most wrist time?

[Surefire]

Very nice sir! Thank you for sharing.

[SUB14]

Congrats Gus, great collection and good story on the evolution!

Nice to see you can "limit" yourself to a nice 4-6 watch collection. This is really the best way to go in my opinion, but I find it very difficult to choose the right watches when there are so many great choices! I'm a big fan of the Sub, GMT, Explorer and Milgauss (both old and new). But also of Patek, JLC, IWC, Omega and Panerai watches haha!

[ILuvSubs]

Thanks for documenting the journey of your collection and your latest incoming. I've been umming and ahhing over the Blue Pelagos. She looks like a beauty! Congrats!

[brmeyers]

Congrats Gus, that's a beauty, hopefully "you'll" get to wear it ...LOL

[davidflo]

What are your thoughts on Royal Oak vs Nautilus ?
Why did you stop liking the Aquanaut?

[beachbum]

Great Post and journey Gus!

[subtona]

Originally Posted by davidflo

What are your thoughts on Royal Oak vs Nautilus ?
Why did you stop liking the Aquanaut?

This should help

Originally Posted by subtona

Pros
1)5711 will accommodate a smaller wrist better due to the shorter lug transition to bracelet
2)5711 has usable water resistance
3)5711 has a quickset date
4)5711 has a screw down crown
5)5711 has crown guards.

Pros
1)15202 is nearly identical to the original
2)15202 uses the original JLC movement
3)15202 fits a larger wrist better than anything I have owned.
4)15202 uses a color matched date wheel (much appreciated.) (1 of the few and minor changes from the original)
5)15202 the case finishing is magnificent.
6)15202 was Gentas first in 1972

Cons
1)5711 the movement has had some reliability issues (and is boring imho)
2)5711 does not use the original 2 hand movement (purchased by AP)
3)5711 the loss of the monocoque case (to provide a see through case back) is for me the most egregious departure from the original, not just for the aesthetics but because it altered the intent of the original design which only had access to the movment via the dial side. (The 15202 also included a see through case back but due to their design the intent of the case construction remains true imho)

Cons
1)15202 has a spring loaded clasp, not as foolproof as friction imho
2)very small crown is difficult to use (unintentionally pushes in while setting the date) which is amplified by the lack of a quickset date.
3)15202 WR does not recommend swimming. No screw down crown. (Although There is conflicting information.... This does not inspire confidence in this wearer.)
4)15202 the original style slimmer hands are considerably less visible in low light compared w the 5711 (5711 had very good low light visibility)
.

Imho as far as looks they are both magnificent and timeless, either could be chosen on looks without fault. For me it came down to practicality as a watch I could get a lot of wear out of and not have to be too concerned with. The 5711 is more equipped for this task, the case finishing hides routine marks better than the AP whose meticulously angular finishing, while beautiful was painful to see marked up in my experience with both my 15202 and SS Diver


PS on a completely personal point of view the Patek blue is just perfect

[subtona]

She's not giving the Pelagos back but lent it to me for a family pic :)


Just a note, seems most pelagos pics misrepresent the blue, it is not as bright as it looks, it is more refined and subdued in person.

Extremely impressed with this Tudor offering.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by JohnAndrew

Very, very sharp!

Thank you

Originally Posted by ucsdmuiron1986

Loved the post about the evolution of the collection, over time! Which ones get the most wrist time?

I try to give them all wrist time but lately the Pateks have been getting the attention

Originally Posted by Surefire

Very nice sir! Thank you for sharing.

Thank you

Originally Posted by SUB14

Congrats Gus, great collection and good story on the evolution!

Nice to see you can "limit" yourself to a nice 4-6 watch collection. This is really the best way to go in my opinion, but I find it very difficult to choose the right watches when there are so many great choices! I'm a big fan of the Sub, GMT, Explorer and Milgauss (both old and new). But also of Patek, JLC, IWC, Omega and Panerai watches haha!

I create a lot of parameters in what I like and don't like, what I find useful and superfluous... By the time I go through the list I eliminate most of the competition... Which ever had been left standing I try to get on my wrist to see if it works for me.

Originally Posted by ILuvSubs

Thanks for documenting the journey of your collection and your latest incoming. I've been umming and ahhing over the Blue Pelagos. She looks like a beauty! Congrats!

It is really such a beauty, especially in person

Originally Posted by brmeyers

Congrats Gus, that's a beauty, hopefully "you'll" get to wear it ...LOL

She is pretty smitten ... With the watch

Originally Posted by beachbum

Great Post and journey Gus!

Thank you

[subtona]

4 ... Final... thanks for reading.

[sgmgolf]

Very nice Gus.....very nice!

[davidflo]

Thank you very much for your answer

[thejerseyrock]

This is a GREAT thread. Thanks Gus. Ok, some comparison from experience questions. Why the trade? OR, your thoughts about these comparisons......

white dial SS Daytona vs black dial SS daytona?

PP 5711 blue vs. AP 15202 blue?

PP 5170 vs 5070

Rolex Explorer II Polar (red GMT hand) vs .... everything.

[brmeyers]

Nice continuing evolution GUS
You have really had a chance to experience a lot of legendary watches

[Nycturbovr6]

Great collection!

[subtona]

Originally Posted by sgmgolf

Very nice Gus.....very nice!

Thank you

Originally Posted by davidflo

Thank you very much for your answer

Very welcome, hope it sheds some light on questions you had.

Originally Posted by thejerseyrock

This is a GREAT thread. Thanks Gus. Ok, some comparison from experience questions. Why the trade? OR, your thoughts about these comparisons......

white dial SS Daytona vs black dial SS Daytona? = neither worked for me, the watch overall is absolutely amazing in every respect except the dials, both white and black are unnecessarily difficult for me to read (white being slightly better of the two)

PP 5711 blue vs. AP 15202 blue? See my detailed comparison above

PP 5170 vs 5070? Practical vs Sexy

They are each amazing, I go back and forth between them.

Sexy: The 5070 is truly a historic reference and likely to be smart money if you keep it clean. The 5070 is just a sexy watch for a number of reasons, I find it hard to quantify that intangible element. The unique oversized case/ Lemania movement / black numerals (creates such nice contrast) and those amazing subdials that have to be seen in person to appreciate (especially on the G version)

Practical:The 5170 is probably a fair value now vs in the future, I am guessing the value of 5170 will creep up as it is discontinued? The 5170 movement is a bit more satisfying to me from a functional perspective, in house/power reserve/ size/ durability (can't be overwound) / hacking seconds.

Rolex Explorer II Polar (red GMT hand) vs .... everything.

The explorer II is simply a perfect travel watch 2nd time zone, brushed case, fixed bezel and a relative bargain. When I travel I generally prefer a watch I will not worry about as much.

Please find my personal experience in your quote.
Thank you

Originally Posted by brmeyers

Nice continuing evolution GUS
You have really had a chance to experience a lot of legendary watches

It's the only way I can tell, I had one watch less than 24 hours and I knew we wouldn't work out
The 4 remaining are very solid pieces for me and I expect they will remain for some time. There is only a few watches that catch my eye and they are redundant or out of range for me. Specifically 5980a gray dial/5070G/ 5370P can you guess which is out of range

Originally Posted by Nycturbovr6

Great collection!

Thanks

[davidflo]

Yes, it helps. So far the Nautilus is winning for me.

How do yo rotate the use of your watches?
I have 5 and this is how I rotate them. One go the office, as soon as I'm home I will swap it. I will wear them for two or three weeks and then use another for the office another for home sometimes the weekend will change this routine sooner, other times is just I miss one of the others.

Also I like that you're sticking with 4 (~5) watches, for myself I don't think going beyond six, the reason is simple; there is not enough time to wear them.

[WatchinMD]

Great thread, Gus. A very nice story and great pictures! Love the collection, especially the 5170.

[Peterandwatches]

I love this collection and your philosophy. We probably share some similar requirements in a collection to be honest. It looks important for you to have a GMT, Chrono, and Diver at all times, and a couple fancy watches (leather strap/5711), for diversity.

They've all also been extremely classic and iconic brands/watches. I don't think I saw a Lange/FJP type piece, which are a little more out there, but forgive me if I'm wrong. It's also kind of cool that the Tudor slots in nicely there, as a companion to the Rolex. For me, JLC sits with Rolex and Patek as my 3 favorites brands, so I would need them represented, but in any event, amazing collection!

The million dollar question - can you ever be completely happy with your collection, or will you always be tinkering and upgrading?

[subtona]

Originally Posted by davidflo

Yes, it helps. So far the Nautilus is winning for me.

How do yo rotate the use of your watches?
I have 5 and this is how I rotate them. One go the office, as soon as I'm home I will swap it. I will wear them for two or three weeks and then use another for the office another for home sometimes the weekend will change this routine sooner, other times is just I miss one of the others.

Also I like that you're sticking with 4 (~5) watches, for myself I don't think going beyond six, the reason is simple; there is not enough time to wear them.

5 seems to the max for me to keep track of.
i wear them as the situation dictates, rotate during the week, mostly wearing the patek as daily's, the rolex are more for sport or travel lately.

Originally Posted by WatchinMD

Great thread, Gus. A very nice story and great pictures! Love the collection, especially the 5170.

thank you Larry

Originally Posted by Peterandwatches

I love this collection and your philosophy. We probably share some similar requirements in a collection to be honest. It looks important for you to have a GMT, Chrono, and Diver at all times, and a couple fancy watches (leather strap/5711), for diversity.

They've all also been extremely classic and iconic brands/watches. I don't think I saw a Lange/FJP type piece, which are a little more out there, but forgive me if I'm wrong. It's also kind of cool that the Tudor slots in nicely there, as a companion to the Rolex. For me, JLC sits with Rolex and Patek as my 3 favorites brands, so I would need them represented, but in any event, amazing collection!

The million dollar question - can you ever be completely happy with your collection, or will you always be tinkering and upgrading?

one day i just decided i had too much overlap, i chose 1 submariner to keep and moved the rest, that philosophy has taken hold and heavily influences my choices.

i find the 5711 to be such a perfect choice for daily wear with the suit

Explorer II has become my perfect watch for travel, hiking or outdoors activities. (the aquanaut was suited to most of these as well except the price made it impractical for me so he got cut from the team)

submariner is my running cooking and laundry watch

the 5170 is my grail attained, any time i can get to wear it i am happy… it gets a lot of use

the fp journe chrono bleu is something i am interested in but a friend has one and i feel like we would be dating the same girl

the lange are really nice looking watches but mostly i feel they would overlap with the 5170…

I guess i have found my watch zen

[subtona]

Originally Posted by subtona

5 seems to the max for me to keep track of....


I guess i have found my watch zen

Well... That lasted just a little over 3 months

[red.earth]

:-D
It looks fabulous! Congratulations...

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[jmrxtr]

great collection. love the AP, PP's and Sub. Thanks for sharing

[sensui]

Thanks for sharing your journey! A lot of us beginners can learn a lot from this. Appreciated and nice photography to go along with the story.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by subtona

Well... That lasted just a little over 3 months

Congrats Gus