What time is it? Watches and horology

https://www.instructables.com/id/Gunmetal-Nerf-Paintjob/

yup - no matter how pretty it looks there’s no way I would consider that price. And deep down I think you’ve got to earn a patina, so suspect I’d feel slightly like a cheat if I ever got one. At least that’s what I’m telling myself.

This is genius. Problem solved :)

OK hivemind, hoping for some help here.

A pal of mine is after a recent-ish (i.e. post 90s) Rolex Oyster P / Air King / or even an Explorer (though they don't seem to exist second hand).

Where would you guys suggest he buy? Is there a reputable dealer he should be going to, one which often has stock, or is this somewhere a Chrononext would come in handy? And what's the consensus on papers? Worth it? I know with Omega you can get replacement papers but not sure about Rolex.

What’s his budget? This side of the millennium the prices haven’t exactly plummeted. Eg there’s a blue dial air king from 2003 on Chrono24 with an asking price of £3500. It’s not superlative chronometer certified, it doesn’t have solid end links, no papers and it’s been polished. At that point I really think it makes more sense to find the extra £500-600 for a brand new OP from an AD.

If the budget starts with a two you’re into vintage territory, 1980s or earlier.

Thanks bud, definitely closer the two than the three, so vintage seems to be the way. If anyone has any suggestions, he's reading the thread.

The Black Bough guy gets nice vintage Oyster case Rolexes in on a fairly regular basis, there’s a 1960s Oysterdate on there at the moment:

https://www.blackbough.co.uk/found-in/watches/vintage-watches/

I would definitely trust the condition of anything he sells. @inchpincher’s linen dial Air King Date is a very nice example.

Some of the Chrono24 prices are very optimistic, if you do go that route then consider making a much lower offer. Chrono24 holds money in escrow so you have a chance to inspect once you receive it, but if you’re not totally sure what to look for it could be riskier.

Hoodwinkee Vs Grand Seiko

Just had an email to confirm my attendance, forum get together?

Don't put Black Bough up, that's my not very secret favourite place to keep tabs on vintage numbers coming in! The owner created his own book available for sale on there too so the pair definitely know their stuff. Absolutely beautiful 16014 they sold a while back now, patina was perfection. It's on their YouTube if people wanna look it up!

I liked this OP, if your a fan of blue but it's small at 34mm.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F233324983040

Freshly service by Rolex though.

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That's lovely, suspect it'll be too small as he's a big lad. Loving Black Bough too, @Regal, that Oyster is beautiful.

Me too - but not sure if I can make it now :(

Provisional dibs for @Regal please if you can’t

Yes please if available, think I was too slow with registering.

Beautiful Movoda if anyone likes patina and small pandas

Disclaimer... I know nothing about the watch. Just found it

(Movado Datron
£1,950
https://chrono24.app/movado/movado-datron-hs360-panda-automatic-vintage--id12313932.htm?SETLANG=en_GB&SETCURR=GBP)

I rsvp-ed but not sure how to transfer the ticket. Have pm-ed you.

It was actually Alex Barter's book launch that Regal and I went to at Sotheby's, it really is a cracking read, put it on your Christmas lists.

@D-Dog I'm 6ft5 and quite slender but I often wear a 30.5mm '77 Oyster Speedking daily as well as my dress watch. Only other watch that gets any wrist time is my Alkin

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Noted!

It's funny you mention that as I popped in to Harrods today and I thought they had a 36 OP in the cabinet, but then noticed no double batons so concluded it was a 34mm but I looked a great proportion, wish I'd tried it now as I'm 6ft 2in, with slender wrists.

Yeah pretty sure that big watches for big people is nonsense. I think a 34mm looks good on me and I'm a big lad.

Embrace the smallness!

Def try the 34. The modern OPs look a bit larger than they are. For me the 36 was the right size but the 34 has the classic vintage Rolex vibe, especially in black. It’s really nice.

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big watches for big people

Tbh given that most of those comments are from the US, I assume the wearers are more

Than

In which case it's a bit more justified as you don't want your watch to look like it's clinging on for dear life with wrist rolls rising up either side.

If you're within a normal BMI I think your clothes have more impact on pulling off smaller sizes

All this talk about appropriate sizing and I got a call for this and in all honesty forgot I put my name down and couldn't resist picking it up. Fits better than I thought on my puney wrists but is high case wise. This in 39mm would be mayhem.

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Nice work @D-Dog - Are you keeping it?