My little gripe with "perpetual time" watches...
Sep 18, 2004 at 5:18 PM Post #46 of 58
iwcdsc.jpg

Another watch that they say rivals the Blancpain 1735 but not a perpetual movement design, rahter a mechanical winder

name is Il Destriero Scafusia
 
Sep 18, 2004 at 7:16 PM Post #47 of 58
kunwar,

Until today, I've never come across a Blancpain which has a nice design. Somehow, I like the 1735, though. Perhaps you'll find this wierd but I can't stand dials which are interrupted or half-heartedly interrupted(just look at the state of the IWC Portuguese Rattrapante below to see what I mean).

3712_011_l.jpg


However, the 1735 does well to have every sub-dial complete. Very nice looking.

Here's a watch with what is acknowledged to have the finest finished movement, ever. From what I've heard, you could look at the movement under a magnifying glass and not find a single flaw. This is the industry standard for perfectionism in watch finishing. The A. Lange & Söhne Datograph:

datograph1.jpg


datograph_mov.jpg


Even Breguets, Blancpain or Patek Philippe movements do not end up as well finished. No insult to anyone (I own Omegas) but this is where Rolex, Omega, Tag Heuer, Zenith, et cetera start to look really, really bad. However, I don't like the Datograph.
 
Sep 18, 2004 at 11:53 PM Post #49 of 58
Quote:

Originally Posted by bLue_oNioN
Sorry to sound ignorant here, but do they hand assemble that last picture you showed?


bLue_oNioN, just about everything that's been mentioned in this thread so far is 'assembled by hand'. not to mentioned crafted and finished too.
biggrin.gif
 
Sep 19, 2004 at 9:56 AM Post #50 of 58
Quote:

Originally Posted by adhoc
bLue_oNioN, just about everything that's been mentioned in this thread so far is 'assembled by hand'. not to mentioned crafted and finished too.
biggrin.gif



the datograph that was pointed out and the Blancpain each have
upwards of 300 parts in them which move or are fixed.
First they are put together once and tuned, once this is done they take everything apart and then claen it.
after this the watch is put together again.
so yeah.
 
Oct 26, 2004 at 9:39 PM Post #51 of 58
I love mechanicals. Most of mine are automatic. But; I do have a hand wound (Kienzle Atlantis), and a Russian Poljot Pilot hand wound. I also have a vintage Accutron, and a few others. A couple of quartz, for sure! But; in the past year, my passion for mechanicals has taken over.
icon10.gif


(regarding 'Perpetual'; What that means on a Rolex is 'automatic' - meaning the constant motion of the rotor that keeps it wound with body movement). Rolex does not make a 'perpetual calendar watch'. Perpetual calendar movements typically are in watches costing 10s of thousands of dollars.

So; when you see 'Oyster Perpetual' on a Rolex dial, that means; an Oyster case (pressure proof), and automatic movement.
(
rolleyes.gif
And no; I am no expert! I just hang out on a watch forum with a bunch of other WISs (watch idiot savants) that love watches, and we all learn together!)

47b4ce32b3127ccea8d3b507709c0000001610


Rado DiaStar automatic.. (Sapphire Crystal & Tungsten Carbide Case - scratchproof (except for a diamond)
47b3cc07b3127cce84ec9924b9f90000001610

47b3cc07b3127cce84ecaf3bb9fd0000001610


My 1970 Bulova Accutron Spaceview...
47b4d633b3127cceb46252546e2a0000001610


Poljot..
47b4d725b3127cceb5868b2a694e0000001610


Citizen Oxy automatic...
47b4d706b3127cceb73bb7dad1450000001610


Omega Speedmaster automatic...
47b4d805b3127cceb0b07b60af170000001610


Citizen Titanium Eco-Drive...
47b3ce02b3127cce80c2f71cdb2d0000001610


Citizen Noblia Calendar...
47b3cf23b3127cce816c3c214e800000001610


Timex Expedition...
47b3cc35b3127cce83aa497ca0ef0000001610
 
Oct 27, 2004 at 3:05 AM Post #54 of 58
Well, too late for that!
biggrin.gif
This one's mine:

25035000.jpg


I got it fairly cheap (about $1500) and it's my first "real" watch. I don't count the crap Tags I had before. Anyways, I looked around, and was originally going to spend more, but this look just "does" it for me. I think once I finish school and get back into the real world, the gold version of this, with the display back will be my graduation present to myself. After 12 years in the office world, I forgot how tough college was.
 
Oct 27, 2004 at 3:51 AM Post #55 of 58
Speaking of Omega Seamasters:
1980.jpg


I have this one with the other Seamaster band, in the automatic movement.

There's just something really nice about a machine that can keep good time.
 
Oct 27, 2004 at 1:15 PM Post #56 of 58
Actually; I think this makes a fine 'Watch Display Thread'
icon10.gif


One day, I want this Omega Seamaster GMT.... (absolutely gorgeous!!!!)

2538.20.jpg
 
Oct 27, 2004 at 2:15 PM Post #57 of 58
I admit I haven't read this entire thread, but a Perpetual Time (Calendar) watch is defined as one that never requires adjustment of the date. It will automatically adjust for 30/31 day months and will adjust itself to account for leap years. Some will even recognize that there are in fact 8 years inbetween leap years between 2096 and 2104 although some only claim perpetual time through the year 2100 to avoid this issue. All this is done with gears and represents a beautiful piece of mechanical innovation.
 
Oct 27, 2004 at 4:09 PM Post #58 of 58
Quote:

Originally Posted by jefemeister
I admit I haven't read this entire thread, but a Perpetual Time (Calendar) watch is defined as one that never requires adjustment of the date. It will automatically adjust for 30/31 day months and will adjust itself to account for leap years. Some will even recognize that there are in fact 8 years inbetween leap years between 2096 and 2104 although some only claim perpetual time through the year 2100 to avoid this issue. All this is done with gears and represents a beautiful piece of mechanical innovation.


Actually, some perpetual calendar watches are 'annual'. You still have to re-set them at the beginning of each year. One of those is by Patek Phillipe. It costs $26,000 (gold w/moon phase). And; $17,900 (gold). Some will track everything correctly for several years. But; they are all incredible pieces of watchmaking, and they are all very expensive.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top