Restore or new?
Hi there, dear watch-community.
I'm going to graduate from university in june next year. After that I'm probably going to start working straight away.
I bought this beautiful Audemars Piguet 25589BA around a month ago at an auction for a really good price and initially intended to sell it for a profit - however I absolutely fell in love with it and now I plan on keeping it forever. Since I initially only wanted to flip the watch, I don't really have an occasion to connect the watch with. Should I do a full-service with a polish + a new handmade strap for my graduation? I feel like that would really give it a new life (one beginning with me) and make it basically brand new. But it would probably cost between 1 to 3k.
Or should I buy a brand new Nomos Club Sport 37 with a petrol green dial for my graduation? It's about 3k and I could wear it basically for any occasion and also to work (Since I want to work in sales, a gold watch isn't the smartest choice to wear every day). It's also rated for 200m and I wouldnt need to baby it. I tried it out at a nearby dealer and I really like the look as well.
So would you guys add the story of my graduation to the watch I already love and adore or would you give the opportunity to a new piece? I would love your input.
First, congratulations for your graduation! If I were you I would chose the first option: a service on the Audemars Piguet. It is at the "level" of such event as your graduation. The Nomos is nice too but you will have plenty of other occasions to buy it in the future. (in my opinion of course)
Keep your money, keep your watch.
Keep your money, keep your watch.
wait... So neither or the AP? 😅
I like that AP, I'd just pimp it out. Nomos is a fine watch brand, but in comparison, it's meh.
note to self, start a youtube channel called pimp my watch.
Personally I would restore the AP just because it’s going to be a lot harder(more expensive) to get back once it’s gone.
The Nomos isn’t going anywhere. They invested a lot of resources into that new in-house movement. They’re gonna make as many as possible.
You’re commemorating a milestone in your life so you want it to make you feel special. Go with which one makes you feel the most special and not which one is the most practical.
(Which it kinda sounds like the AP is special to you but don’t feel it’s practical but you should totally keep it🤣)
Congratulations on graduating for next year! I bought myself a Tudor BB58 for my graduation present!
Out of your options, I’d say get the Nomos as you’ve already stated that it could be better at wearing for work/everyday life. It’s not too flashy but it’s very good quality and is very reliable.
You could then keep the AP how it is and make it a special occasion piece, like going to events or conferences? That way you would have a great two watch mini collection that can basically do everything?
That’s my take on it, but I hope it helps you!
Congratulations on graduating for next year! I bought myself a Tudor BB58 for my graduation present!
Out of your options, I’d say get the Nomos as you’ve already stated that it could be better at wearing for work/everyday life. It’s not too flashy but it’s very good quality and is very reliable.
You could then keep the AP how it is and make it a special occasion piece, like going to events or conferences? That way you would have a great two watch mini collection that can basically do everything?
That’s my take on it, but I hope it helps you!
Haha I already have 4 watches even now 😅
The BB58 is a great piece btw great job 👍
I considered the BB54 for a while but changed my mind to the Nomos since I wanted something more stealthy. Love the bezel-action of a good dive watch though 🙏
Wow beutiful ap personally i eould buy the nomos
wait... So neither or the AP? 😅
I'd keep the AP. I personally have no love for Nomos, so I ignore my feelings on that. If you want a pre-emptive service, go ahead, but if it is running fine, that's very voluntary.
I apparently don't think the way others here do. I don't care about self-rewards or having commemorative stories to hype up possessions. I can't relate to any of this. I'd rather keep my money than be giddy for a day or two.
Keep the AP and do the service. And congrats on the graduation🎓
Congrats! Keep the AP! It will forever remind you of the moment you are in now 🤙
Congrats in advance🥳
For an office watch the AP would be more useful for me because of the date function. That said, if the Nomos had a date i would go Nomos only because a vintage watch may not survive the rigors of daily use(?)
I would reserve the AP for special gatherings and use the Nomos for a daily work watch.
+1 on @PoorMansRolex's worldview.
If you're just rolling in money, and it doesn't matter one bit what you spend on knick-knacks, then...
If, on the other hand, you are a normal human being, with normal financial pressures, then save your money. Every $1 you put into something like the S&P 500 will double every 7 years.
Another way to think about it is, if you put $500 into the S&P 500 each month, by the time you're 60, that $240k in contributions will be worth $1.3M in inflation-adjusted / real terms!
When you're young, it's easier to be frugal and live an ascetic lifestyle. :)
congrats! Get the AP serviced by someone who knows what they’re doing and buy a used nomos.
Step 1: don't polish it, ever.
Step 2: receive congratulations from us for graduating! 🎊🎊
Step 3: ???
Step 4: also get the Nomos, too.
I dont plan on ever selling the watch so resell value is not something I worry about. The model is not super expensive though because it's a 33mm so even with a polish I wouldnt loose a ton of money.
Haha well I'm comparing a new Nomos vs just a service for a watch I already have though - naturally I would only do the service/polish at AP themselves so that's why the cost is probably comparable 😅
I definetly do understand the credibility that AP has (even though I'm not a huge fan of the royal oak) but I feel like that could also be a disadvantage because some random fan of hiphop could recognize it -> that wont happen with a nomos.
(The auction was in germany and it only had like 3 good watches though so I dont know if that will help 😅)
that 33 mm looks pretty good on your wrist though judging by your wristshot photos. It's like have a 1960s Porsche. It may be a small retro car but still with tons of personality and pedigree, and gets you into the club. In a Nomos you're getting what - a Nizzan 350z at best?
that 33 mm looks pretty good on your wrist though judging by your wristshot photos. It's like have a 1960s Porsche. It may be a small retro car but still with tons of personality and pedigree, and gets you into the club. In a Nomos you're getting what - a Nizzan 350z at best?
Thank you! I was scared initially but I was very happy when I put it on ✌️
haha that's kind of a good analogy. My dream car is actually a Porsche 964 so even there you are not far off - very much my vibe 😂
Thank you 😁
It runs really well actually - about +1min/day which is totally fine for me. But i'd love a new-looking case 😅
Trust me, the AP does not draw any attention whatsoever lol - it's neither a royal oak, nor a rolex, breitling, omega or whatever known brand 😂
Haha that’s true. Sounds like you really love the AP. If that’s the case, then it should deserve a new classy leather strap and some ‘spa’ treatment. Wear it in good health mate! 🍻
Congratulations on your graduation! Hope the all the hard work was worth it!!
Personally, I'd keep any watch which was an (enamelled dialled?) ultra thin day-date moonphase in gold (regardless of brand). It can be a pain and expensive to service (I should imagine it'll be away for a few months at the very least) but it'll definitely be worth it.
BUT it'd also make a great story one day...."I gave up an AP for a Nomos....!"
Congratulations on your graduation! Hope the all the hard work was worth it!!
Personally, I'd keep any watch which was an (enamelled dialled?) ultra thin day-date moonphase in gold (regardless of brand). It can be a pain and expensive to service (I should imagine it'll be away for a few months at the very least) but it'll definitely be worth it.
BUT it'd also make a great story one day...."I gave up an AP for a Nomos....!"
Thank you! Yes, enamel dial 🙌
I have no intention whatsoever of selling the AP. Sorry if it wasn't clear in the post 😅 It's just I'm either going to service the AP for the occasion or I'm buying a new nomos for the occasion
Thank you! Yes, enamel dial 🙌
I have no intention whatsoever of selling the AP. Sorry if it wasn't clear in the post 😅 It's just I'm either going to service the AP for the occasion or I'm buying a new nomos for the occasion
Ah, apologies for mis-reading your post!
Ah, apologies for mis-reading your post!
oh no not at all. You're not the first one to misunderstand that. I think I didn't make it clear enough. 😅
If you have no other watches get the nomos and service the ap later. If you have other watches then service the ap.
I second the opinion keep the watch and don't service unless needed. If you don't know when it was last done a good watchmaker could have a quick look but you'd be very unlucky to find it's due.
Absolutely, 100% the AP! Make it "yours" to commemorate your milestone. And congrats on that milestone! 👍😎
haha I'd have to decline on selling it 😅😂
I do have some money invested 👍 The money I would spend is money I would get through selling a different watch (hopefully). So I still have savings 👍
Heck, if the money is from moving another watch, if the AP is in fine working order, by all means get the Nomos or whatever your heart desires.
No polish. Just service and new strap will do.
No polish. Just service and new strap will do.
Haha it's somewhat all about the polish for me. So either everything or nothing 😅☝️
Get the Nomos, but keep the AP for the future. Save up enough money while working (with the Nomos) so that you can eventually spend the cash to restore the AP too. I feel like if you restore the AP now you would want to baby it a lot (I definitely would) so why not just wait for a bit?
Get the Nomos, but keep the AP for the future. Save up enough money while working (with the Nomos) so that you can eventually spend the cash to restore the AP too. I feel like if you restore the AP now you would want to baby it a lot (I definitely would) so why not just wait for a bit?
Thank's for the tip 😁 I don't plan on babying any of my watches though and I don't care about resell value. First and foremost they are meant to be worn. I'm okay with scratches since I feel like they tell the story of how much time you spent with your watch and if I like something, you bet it's going to spend a lot of time with me ✌️
Ever since I got it, I haven't let it sit even for a day. I take good care of it and I wont wear it if I go partying, if I do manual labor of if the weather is bad - but as soon as I get home I immediately put it on and stare at it 🔥