Could use help deciding a dress watch

[IAmShepherd]

Hi all, I´ve spent the past few days reading and learning as much as possible.
I´m mostly interested in dress watches and it seems that they are not as popular as others.

I´d like to buy a rep that comes as close as possible to a gen, as I know that I´d have difficulty unseeing obvious ´flaws´. I´ve narrowed my options to:

PP Calatrava 5227 RG/YG 324 Clone
JLC MUT Small Seconds DD925

Two questions:
1. Do you agree that these are very close to gen?
2. Do you have another suggestion I could look into?

Thank you!

 

[asusundevils1971]

BVF Cartier Santos medium.
Clean Factory or VSF Rolex 36mm DateJust 126234.
Those two are close to gen and are a nice dress watch.

 

[fnfalguy]

I like the santos, but also a simple tank.

 

[eBoy]

1. Do you agree that these are very close to gen?

The two watches you mentioned are vastly different in their price points. Beside any technical intricacies of the reps, you should also consider the price of the gens in terms of being a "believable" wearer.

The JLC is like €8k (+/- 1 or 2k), the Patek costs around €45k. That's quite substantial... No problem if you can pull it off. Just some food for thought.

2. Do you have another suggestion I could look into?

Have you considered a field watch instead? Some wear very dressy-ish. Hamilton has nice gens, and ZF makes very nice IWC reps.

If it has to be a real dress watch, in the traditional sense, I can't recommend anything because I don't own/wear them.

 

[eBoy]

BVF Cartier Santos medium.
Clean Factory or VSF Rolex 36mm DateJust 126234.
Those two are close to gen and are a nice dress watch.

Both are very nice and dressy-ish.

Not "true" dress watches though, at least by their very strict traditional definition.

The Santos is actually a pilot's watch (even though it doesn't look like one), if I'm not mistaken, and the DateJust is definitely a sports watch (Rolex says so).

But @asusundevils1971 is right if he meant to imply that folks effectively wear them as dressers. Because they indeed do.

Some Sunday night smart-assery from me!

 

[asusundevils1971]

The Santos is actually a pilot's watch (even though it doesn't look like one), if I'm not mistaken, and the DateJust is definitely a sports watch (Rolex says so).

But @asusundevils1971 is right if he meant to imply that folks effectively wear them as dressers. Because they indeed do.

Some Sunday night smart-assery from me!

Does this Santos look like it's a pilot watch my little blue friend.


The old five digit DJ 36mm were a sports watch especially the all stainless models. The 6 digit DJ's are now nice and polished up with a dressier clasp which is also polished. So a six digit DJ can be worn with casual clothes or a suit.

@eBoy what is a dresser?... is that German slang for men wearing frilly lingerie...

Right back at you with the Sunday night smart assery and for the record you might have Breitling and Cartier mixed up when it comes to pilot watches.

 

[eBoy]

Cartier Santos: The Impact on Aviation and Its Historical Significance - BobsWatches.com

Explore the profound impact of the Cartier Santos on aviation history. Discover how this iconic watch became a symbol of innovation and style, influencing pilots and watch enthusiasts alike.

www.bobswatches.com

 

[eBoy]

Cartier Santos: History of The First Pilot’s Watch

Then, the first Pilot’s watch was born in 1904, which was dubbed Cartier Santos. This watch comes in a square-shaped and small case size.

www.thetimeplace.co.id

 

[eBoy]

Does this Santos look like it's a pilot watch my little blue friend.

I didn't know it's a pilots watch too and was also shocked.

Right back at you with the Sunday night smart assery and for the record you might have Breitling and Cartier mixed up when it comes to pilot watches.

You're allowed to get it wrong, because it doesn't look like a pilots watch AT ALL. But it really is...

 

[Feefo]

There's some nice IWC Portofinos which are pretty decent.

 

[IAmShepherd]

The two watches you mentioned are vastly different in their price points. Beside any technical intricacies of the reps, you should also consider the price of the gens in terms of being a "believable" wearer.

The JLC is like €8k (+/- 1 or 2k), the Patek costs around €45k. That's quite substantial... No problem if you can pull it off. Just some food for thought.



Have you considered a field watch instead? Some wear very dressy-ish. Hamilton has nice gens, and ZF makes very nice IWC reps.

If it has to be a real dress watch, in the traditional sense, I can't recommend anything because I don't own/wear them.

I see... I probably still lack knowledge in this department, but both the JLC & the Patek were priced at 20K online. The 40K you mentioned is indeed quite a bit higher.

I'm definitely also in the market for a field watch/sports watch, but I've always loved the 'classic look'. I remember my grandfather wearing these types of watches all the time. And It would fit my attire as I wear suit and tie on a daily basis.

 

[IAmShepherd]

Thank you for all your suggestions! A cartier is something that has been in the back of my mind as well. I'll give it some serious thought. Is there a reason to go for a BVF vs. a gold tank solo for example?