Hi guys,
In need of your advice!
I have been dabbling in the $2-3K pre-owned bracket for a bit and feel that my next and last watch for a long time ought to be more interesting in terms of history and/or complications.
Strict criteria:
Moonphase and bracelet would be icing on the cake, i.e. bonus, not a must. $15K is the hard limit, and I'd prefer to spend less.
Poking around old listings turned up some day-date moonphases and perpetual/annual/triple calendars from the 80s and 90s, e.g. IWC Romana 2050, AP RO 25594, VC Triple Calendar 47050. Less expensive and fragile than vintage and produced before the price hikes and diameter explosion, could the period be a sweet spot for me? Were any outstanding or significant calibres or pieces made back then?
One of the pre-owned options that has caught my eye is a ladies' AP RO perpetual calendar from the late 90s, which obviously hasn't been the hottest topic. It houses the cal. 2141/2806 and measures 33mm wide, 10mm thick. Any thoughts on the movement? Would it wear too tall and beefy, robbing the RO of its elegance? Would a perpetual calendar be a pain to set and maintain? On the vintage side, I have been contemplating a UG Tri-Compax. But, prices keep climbing, and I'm not sure whether they will stay up there forever.
Thanks for the input and recommendations!
In need of your advice!
I have been dabbling in the $2-3K pre-owned bracket for a bit and feel that my next and last watch for a long time ought to be more interesting in terms of history and/or complications.
Strict criteria:
- $15K or less, pre-owned or vintage, in mint to excellent condition
- 33-36mm across
- 44mm or less lug tip to lug tip
- 10mm or less in thickness
- No date window
- Enough water resistance to withstand the magnificent downpours and awful humidity here - 50m to be safe?
- Robust enough to withstand frequent wear
Moonphase and bracelet would be icing on the cake, i.e. bonus, not a must. $15K is the hard limit, and I'd prefer to spend less.
Poking around old listings turned up some day-date moonphases and perpetual/annual/triple calendars from the 80s and 90s, e.g. IWC Romana 2050, AP RO 25594, VC Triple Calendar 47050. Less expensive and fragile than vintage and produced before the price hikes and diameter explosion, could the period be a sweet spot for me? Were any outstanding or significant calibres or pieces made back then?
One of the pre-owned options that has caught my eye is a ladies' AP RO perpetual calendar from the late 90s, which obviously hasn't been the hottest topic. It houses the cal. 2141/2806 and measures 33mm wide, 10mm thick. Any thoughts on the movement? Would it wear too tall and beefy, robbing the RO of its elegance? Would a perpetual calendar be a pain to set and maintain? On the vintage side, I have been contemplating a UG Tri-Compax. But, prices keep climbing, and I'm not sure whether they will stay up there forever.
Thanks for the input and recommendations!