Deeply irresponsible, but after trying every modern and vintage Calatrava under the sun I couldn’t get away from the 2508. The balance of the design is something else. Had to sell a few other pieces to fund it but I think this one may stick for life. Let’s see!
Just arrived. A few people asked for a photo, so here you go. I’m no menswear model so hope this will suffice.
First impressions: very good. Pretty classic but the strong dashes of teal and purple in the tweed add extra character and should make it quite versatile. Sizing and fit feels consistent with other Drakes jackets I have known and loved.
Aqua Lung Ultra Slim. Not my fanciest watch but the one in which memories are getting made running around with the kids, at the beach etc. 60g on rubber, great power reserve and WR, impossible to scratch, keeps time like an atomic clock and would probably withstand an atomic bomb. No idea why it’s so overlooked.
My memory of the 90s is a blur, but from a collecting perspective it’s turning out to be an unexpected oasis. Perfect proportions for me, an interesting mix of understatement and character, and not bad value too.
L-R:
Patek 5038, aka the 3940 dressed up for Berghain. Limited edition positioned as a “sporty” alternative with the same movement, layout, and 36mm size. Not sure about sporty but, as someone who admires the Patek classics but finds them too reserved for daily wear, this has the right level of eccentricity while still being understated from afar. And super legible. I love this thing.
Lange 1815 Up/Down 234.021, dressed down on a blue strap. For a 39mm gold watch it somehow goes with everything, and is deeply satisfying to wind. This is cheating on the 90s as it’s the larger second gen from 2013, but I’m probably going to swap it for a first gen at some point.
Lange 1 stealth (101.025). Newest addition, on my daily rotation alongside the 5038. I don’t think I can add much to the millions of words already written about why the L1 is quite nice.
GP Laureato 8010, one of an estimated 700 steel examples. Smaller and thinner than the modern Laureatos, comfortable and understated. I feel like I tried every integrated bracelet under the sun before finding this.
Any other 90s fans out there?
Still in the honeymoon period. I think a little sunlight suits it!
Very little info about this late 90s model beyond a post by Allen Farmelo. https://www.beyondthedial.com/post/curating-the-collection-how-the-vacheron-constantin-reference-92239-000p-4-cooled-my-passion-for-watches/
It’s now competing for wrist time with another grey dial platinum piece (I guess you like what you like!) so will see how it fares in the coming months. But it’s such a fun watch to wear…
I got lucky! Not many of these floating around where I am, so I asked a couple of dealers I trust if they could keep an eye out — one had literally just had a stealth come in and hadn’t listed it yet. It’s only day 1 of ownership but so far it’s tied for my favourite ever piece…
In the process of buying a pre-owned platinum Lange. The dealer would ordinarily give it a light polish but I got to them before they got around to it. There are a few visible scratches to the bezel and buckle, which they’re happy to touch up if I want. They are a really well respected dealer and I assume they know what they’re doing.
My instinct is to leave it unpolished — I will hopefully wear it a lot and inevitably give it new scratches anyway — but am I just falling prey to polishing paranoia? What would you do?
Mulling over a couple of options and wondered if any long-time L1 owners have views. I prefer the platinum reference I’m looking at, and the weight seemed fine in the boutique, but wonder if the heft will become annoying over time compared to a white gold model.
Thinking of pulling the trigger on this but curious for any views…haven’t owned a GP before and not super clued up on the pros/cons of this reference beyond the basics. Advice gratefully received!
I can’t justify keeping two yellow gold dress watches competing for the same wrist time…one must go!