So my only 2 'BNIB' purchases haven't gone too well. I bought a Speedy 9300 around July '12 & a JLC Reverso Duoface Bleu around July '13. I really liked most things about the Speedy but the case thickness & the overall 'fit' when worn on the bracelet (it was comfortable enough on a rubber strap). I ended up selling it, mostly due to the height of the case & the 'top-heaviness' when worn on the bracelet. I was able to get the JLC Reverso delivered from the LV boutique last summer, I immediately returned it as the blue dial just wasn't as pictured IMO.
So over the last several months I've been researching my next purchase(s) ad nauseum. I've been a big fan of Omega however their move to thicker watches has me looking at other brands. My problem is that I can't seem to find the 'perfect' watch(es), perhaps I'm too picky?
My goal is to find the 'perfect pair' to go with my current pair of Omegas. Why only a pair? Mostly because I'd like to be able to wear them frequently (to use a car analogy, I don't believe in garage queens). I'd also like for at least one of the pair to be a white dial.
I think my biggest problem has been trying to figure out what combination to go with.
I'm certainly partial to the ever-elusive 'all-around' dress-casual type of watch, i.e. the DJII or Aqua Terra. Ideally, I'd like one to wear at work (I dress business casual); I'd like the other to be a bit more sturdy to be worn as a weekender/travel/vacation watch. I'd also like that both watches have a bracelet option.
I initially was going to go with the now-discontinued JLC Master Calendar (with the power reserve) as the daily work watch. However, I've read about a couple of people having issues w/ their MC's & JLC taking forever to service & return the watch (particularly when covered by the original warranty). I'm now considering the DJII with white dial/smooth bezel/baton markers as the the daily work watch. The thing holding me back from ordering the white DJII is that I'm afraid that the 'white' dial may end up not quite white enough for my liking. I'm concerned that the DJII just won't look as white as it appears to be in showroom conditions. I'm also wondering if the watch would become 'boring' after awhile.
The other problem I'm having is deciding which watch to pair with it. I had considered the Rolex GMTII BLNR to the perfect weekender/travel/vacation watch to pair up w/ the JLC MC (& more recently the DJII). I first saw the BLNR in a local AD sometime last year & instantly liked it. However when I tried it on again a few weeks ago I was a little disappointed as it was a bit more 'bling' & bit smaller than I had remembered it.
What are factors holding me back? I've been disappointed by watch purchases in the past as IRL they haven't looked quite as good as they do in pics...case in point, the JLC and the Omega 2503.33 (the white dial w/ the blue hands/markers). It turned out to be much more cream than pictured on the internet. Another factor is that I don't like losing money on resale (I'm not near as savvy as the many who report losing very little if any on resale). Finally, I think I'm a bit too picky. For example, some of the watches I've considered:
A different JLC Reverso...however I can't seem to find one that has a good fit as my wrist is more round than flat; also most don't have a bracelet as an option
JLC MUT; again not available on a bracelet & may be a bit too dressy for my needs
Rolex Polar Exp II; I;m concerned that the bezel may not be quite hardy enough (I've read many posters on TRF stating that their bezels have been scratch-magnets).
Rolex Exporer; a bit too small & doesn't have a date. Also, the mini-minute hand would drive me crazy.
GO PanomaticLunar; the white dial is way too cream for my liking, I like the gray dial more but am afraid that the watch is too thick.
GO Senator Observer; again, the white dial is way too cream for my liking, I like the gray dial & the thickness is just right. However this time the watch is a bit too big at 44mm.
A blue Aqua Terra; I'm concerned that I'll get bored with it. Also, I think I'd prefer the BLNR to the AT (I realize that they're different type watches).
VC Overseas; I've been tempted to blow the budget for this one (even pre-owned). However my big concerns with this watch are my questioning the durability of the bezel (WRT scratch-resistance), concerns about VC's poor service history, & my wondering how well the design will hold up over time (I question the latter as IMO the bracelet on the previous version now looks awful)
JeanRichard Terrascope; love the cushion design but find it a bit too big
Panerai 512; not available on a bracelet, I suspect I may get bored of it over time.
IWC Ingenieur 3229; love the design/size/weight, however I think it's a bit overpriced for the movement.
I've even considered custom-ordering a Dornbluth. However I was recently disappointed to learn that Dirk no longer will take enamel dial orders & no longer has a bracelet option.
I've been able to try all the above watches several times, most recently during a trip to LV several weeks ago.
If you've been able to stay w/ me during this lengthy post, any advice? (I guess ultimately I'm trying to make sure I don't make too many expensive mistakes & have to flip repeatedly to attain a perfect small 'collection'). Should I just get both the white DJII & the BLNR?
So over the last several months I've been researching my next purchase(s) ad nauseum. I've been a big fan of Omega however their move to thicker watches has me looking at other brands. My problem is that I can't seem to find the 'perfect' watch(es), perhaps I'm too picky?
My goal is to find the 'perfect pair' to go with my current pair of Omegas. Why only a pair? Mostly because I'd like to be able to wear them frequently (to use a car analogy, I don't believe in garage queens). I'd also like for at least one of the pair to be a white dial.
I think my biggest problem has been trying to figure out what combination to go with.
I'm certainly partial to the ever-elusive 'all-around' dress-casual type of watch, i.e. the DJII or Aqua Terra. Ideally, I'd like one to wear at work (I dress business casual); I'd like the other to be a bit more sturdy to be worn as a weekender/travel/vacation watch. I'd also like that both watches have a bracelet option.
I initially was going to go with the now-discontinued JLC Master Calendar (with the power reserve) as the daily work watch. However, I've read about a couple of people having issues w/ their MC's & JLC taking forever to service & return the watch (particularly when covered by the original warranty). I'm now considering the DJII with white dial/smooth bezel/baton markers as the the daily work watch. The thing holding me back from ordering the white DJII is that I'm afraid that the 'white' dial may end up not quite white enough for my liking. I'm concerned that the DJII just won't look as white as it appears to be in showroom conditions. I'm also wondering if the watch would become 'boring' after awhile.
The other problem I'm having is deciding which watch to pair with it. I had considered the Rolex GMTII BLNR to the perfect weekender/travel/vacation watch to pair up w/ the JLC MC (& more recently the DJII). I first saw the BLNR in a local AD sometime last year & instantly liked it. However when I tried it on again a few weeks ago I was a little disappointed as it was a bit more 'bling' & bit smaller than I had remembered it.
What are factors holding me back? I've been disappointed by watch purchases in the past as IRL they haven't looked quite as good as they do in pics...case in point, the JLC and the Omega 2503.33 (the white dial w/ the blue hands/markers). It turned out to be much more cream than pictured on the internet. Another factor is that I don't like losing money on resale (I'm not near as savvy as the many who report losing very little if any on resale). Finally, I think I'm a bit too picky. For example, some of the watches I've considered:
A different JLC Reverso...however I can't seem to find one that has a good fit as my wrist is more round than flat; also most don't have a bracelet as an option
JLC MUT; again not available on a bracelet & may be a bit too dressy for my needs
Rolex Polar Exp II; I;m concerned that the bezel may not be quite hardy enough (I've read many posters on TRF stating that their bezels have been scratch-magnets).
Rolex Exporer; a bit too small & doesn't have a date. Also, the mini-minute hand would drive me crazy.
GO PanomaticLunar; the white dial is way too cream for my liking, I like the gray dial more but am afraid that the watch is too thick.
GO Senator Observer; again, the white dial is way too cream for my liking, I like the gray dial & the thickness is just right. However this time the watch is a bit too big at 44mm.
A blue Aqua Terra; I'm concerned that I'll get bored with it. Also, I think I'd prefer the BLNR to the AT (I realize that they're different type watches).
VC Overseas; I've been tempted to blow the budget for this one (even pre-owned). However my big concerns with this watch are my questioning the durability of the bezel (WRT scratch-resistance), concerns about VC's poor service history, & my wondering how well the design will hold up over time (I question the latter as IMO the bracelet on the previous version now looks awful)
JeanRichard Terrascope; love the cushion design but find it a bit too big
Panerai 512; not available on a bracelet, I suspect I may get bored of it over time.
IWC Ingenieur 3229; love the design/size/weight, however I think it's a bit overpriced for the movement.
I've even considered custom-ordering a Dornbluth. However I was recently disappointed to learn that Dirk no longer will take enamel dial orders & no longer has a bracelet option.
I've been able to try all the above watches several times, most recently during a trip to LV several weeks ago.
If you've been able to stay w/ me during this lengthy post, any advice? (I guess ultimately I'm trying to make sure I don't make too many expensive mistakes & have to flip repeatedly to attain a perfect small 'collection'). Should I just get both the white DJII & the BLNR?