Next Purchase? (12K-20K USD)

To help choose which variation for each of the above choices, I have setup a temporary IG story which you can use to cast your preference:

https://www.instagram.com/stories/simonsayswristwatch/2932727290338536159/

They are all cool, but the Habring is the only standout watch of the lot. 

JLC if you want an all-around that’s dressy. 

I do agree...  I am also due for a proper independent.  It's also the most likely to come to me first but let's see what the rest of the crowd thinks.  What's your favourite variation?  Silver or Salmon dial?

I used to see myself as a "dress watch" guy few years ago (pre pandemic) where we all needed to clock-in into the office.  Working in the "banking and financial" vertical, a dress watch was more adequate for the work environment.  Over the past 3 years (with WFH), my collection grew more sporty with few chronographes and steel sport watches.  JLC could be a nice dressy addition to my Omega CK 859 Re-Edition and my Montblanc Héritage Chronométrie Ultra-Thin for sure.

Again, not knocking the rest, would gladly own at least the JLC. Salmon, no doubt, it is the dial color that put them on the map and I am a big fan of owning the flagship colors. 

Hey dude, 

If you’re considering the Zenith Chronomaster Sport, you should get in touch with @SoyWatch. He’s got an unworn example for sale at a killer price!

Small wristed dude here (< 7 inches)...  36mm looks more refined on my "small-ish" wrist.  41 gives a more "sporty / casual" look.  Fluted bezel, jubilee bracelet and the new fluted motif dial calls for a more dressy / flashy look than casual / sporty in my humble opinion (at least on my wrist 😅).

Have to agree, I have tried on each and because the DJ, especially w/ a fluted bezel and jubilee, 36 wears very much like a dress watch. When I was looking for a two tone piece, I almost went with a similar config, but with the gold motif dial. It is an awesome watch that will stand the test of time, but I still want the Habring. 

Why not add a Parmigiani to the collection:

Go dressy with the Toric Chronometre...

Or go sporty with the Tonda Tondagraph...

Or you could go for the JLC Polaris Memovox...

I'm gonna need a lot more information to make that choice.  What's your favorite type of watch?  What do you already have?  Is this a big purchase for you, or just average?

For me, I'd probably choose the Zenith because I think I'd have the most opportunity to wear it.  But maybe you spend more time in suits than I do, or maybe don't have any dress watches.

Anyway, this is a great choice to be making, enjoy.

Hi Simon!

I think the JLC would be a better fit for your collection right now. The moonphase complication is not something you have currently. Your only leather strap is the GS GMT? You currently already have a chronograph in the speedy. Yes the Zenith is nice, but does it bring something extra to your collection and will it just make the Speedy collect dust? You do have a Rolex as well in the Airking.  You have a great mixture of sports watches and slightly dressier watches.

The Rose Gold one you should be able to find on discounts here in HK as there are discounts for the silver one. For the value, I think this one really can't be beaten. The gorgeous clear caseback with the gold rotor, not overly thick, great looking movement and something that isn't so ubiquitous (DJ) here in HK. It's something you can slip under the cuff and it doesn't catch the reflections like crazy as the fluted bezel, it won't be too distracting for a normal work day, making it more versatile.

The DJ really is nice though, but if you put it beside your GS, would you unconsciously compare the finishing of the two watches? Or if you look at the blue textured dial with your Laureato, with the polished middle bracelet, is there some similarities and overlap? Both are slightly dressy watches and may serve similar functions. Hahaha I say get this after the JLC 😜 Based purely on what you have already and what would generate more of a 'wow' factor here in HK 😂. 

Have you looked into a laine/kudoke or garrick for an alternative dress watch option to habring? Kudoke uses habring movement ;) a breguet tradition is in the budget too. A gold glashutte original or a lange saxonia is nice too.

In your propositions, the JLC in steel. 

here are my suggestions, more casual/sport and versatile :

Tonda PF micro-rotor , 21000CHF wich is around 21500$

Moser Pioneer Centre second , 13900CHF which is around 14000$

Both independant watchmakers, pretty confidential and sure they do awesome watches (don't you think ??)

That ice dial Zenith Chrono Sport.... Does that really exist? I thought it was only white dial or black dial variants...! Got real Platona vibes going there. 

Hi,

Wow you have really done your homework (ie: factoring in my SOTC, etc), I'm genuinely impressed!  True, I still don't have a moonphase yet and that's something I would like to tick...  I do have a couple more watches on leather strap beside the GS SBGM221, I also have my Omega CK 859 Re-Edition, my Montblanc Héritage Chronométrie Ultra-Thin, my Zenith El Primero (that originally came on a brown leather strap), the Omega Speedmaster Pro Moonwatch (bought an OEM black strap + clasp), etc.

That JLC has been under my radar since 2016 when I have tried it a the Hong Kong Airport JLC AD on my way to a business trip (when we used to travel all the time...).  Agree, it's not as common as any Rolex that we see here in Hong Kong all the time (MTR, taxi drivers, etc).

Thanks again for you very well informed feedback.  Cheers!

Hi!

Yes this exists as a special domestic market release from Yoshida in Japan (https://watch-yoshida.co.jp/products/71/19812) with reference 03.3104.3600/54.M3100

Hi,

You can always a glance at my IG (https://www.instagram.com/simonsayswristwatch/) for a rough idea of my collection 😉.

That would be an upper "average" purchase for me.

I already have 2 chronographs (Omega Speedy Pro & Zenith El Primero) both of which you can see on my original #welcome intro post.

I do have a couple of more dressy watches (Montblanc Héritage Chronométrie Ultra-Thin, Omega CK 859 Re-Edition, Grand Seiko GMT SBGM221, etc).

Hope this helps.  In all cases, I still believe there's almost no wrong decision to make with any of these options.  Cheers!

Wow that is really nice. No wonder it didn't pop up on the Zenith website from the UK. 

That dial is definitely the winner 💪

Merci pour ces 2 propositions alternatives, very well thought.  One of my closest friend here in Hong Kong is a big fan of Moser (he is also a proud owner of a Moser).  I had the chance to try different ones quite few times over the past 2-3 years.  I don't know why but I'm still hesitating to get my hands on one...  The Tonda is indeed interesting especially that I currently don't have yet a micro-rotor watch.  Thanks again for the feedback!

Love the Parmigiani suggestions by @ChronoGuy for a unique choice. Just way above $10k. 
 

The JLC is a stand out dress option but I also really like the JLC Polaris for a more sporty vibe. Maybe even the new green dial. 

I'm getting a Habring2 next January, already put down my deposit just waiting to get it, so that would be my choice, it's far more unique than any of the others with only 200 pieces made each year. 

You can go for the chrono sport, which was the first one that caught my eye, if you want to go into a more casual everyday wear direction, and this will only set you back around €8000 so you'll have plenty of $ to spare for your next watch.

I am thinking - JLC Polaris green dial boutique exclusive with the new Calibre 899 - 70 hours of power reserve. Under USD10k

I would go with the JLC in Gold.  can never go wrong with gold.

I really think the Habring 2 is a great choice after the JLC. 

💯

Well, as some of you already know, this happened last week…. So I got my answer as it came to me first 😅