SOTC23 3/3 Quo vadis?
If you read my previous post on the state of the collection 2023, the question now is: where is my collector's journey going now?
The one watch style that has always been on my plan, but I haven't found the ideal watch for it in a long time, is a moon phase watch.
There are some cool offerings that appeal to me from Certina (Quartz, but Chronometer Certified) and Longines (Master Collection Chronograph/Moon Phase), but so far it's never been love at first sight.
After a visit to Bucherer in Lucerne, I was able to try on the GO PanoMaticLunar in all colors and the love was enflamed with the green one.
Completely out of current budget (but easily financially feasible for me, just not "mentally"). This will now be my 40th birthday watch (in 3 years).
Current rumors say that I will also receive a gift from my family at the end of the year: a Rado True Square Skeleton in Plasma! The watch has been on my radar for a long time, my wife loves Rados, but I don't own one myself. I was forced a purchase ban with the statement: "the watch probably still comes this year in my collection" possibly at Christmas or on my birthday (shortly after).
One watch I was able to try on at Watch&Wonders is the Oris PropilotX Kermit. Wonderful watch that surprised me very much. Kermit is already a favorite of my son (we sing the Rainbow Connection every day to fall asleep). This would also be a watch for my collection, especially if the PanoMaticLunar should not be purchased (it is a large amount of money after all, you never know what will happen in 3 years).
Perhaps someone is wondering: and where is Rolex? Until now, nothing from Rolex has ever completely convinced me. A blue Datejust 36mm was long on the plan, but it was more a "social pressure" that wanted to get me to buy. The only Rolex that I currently find irresistible is the Yachtmaster 16622 or the newer 126622, but none comes into question in my current collection and the current budget. But you never know 😜
As long as the Oris Aquis Upcycle is in my collection, the Yachtmaster will probably be out of the question.
That would have been my SOTC23 now. Thanks for reading! 🍻Here again all the parts:
Interested in watches since birth, collecting since my youth.... aggressively collecting since I became a father. Infecting my son daily with my hobby :D
https://www.watchcrunch.com/Mr.Santana/posts/sotc-2069-38965
GO panomacticlunar was one of the finalist for my wedding watch. Just a tad too thick as a dress watch for my liking.
GO panomacticlunar was one of the finalist for my wedding watch. Just a tad too thick as a dress watch for my liking.
It works well with my wrist but i had to try it on. It was a concern first
Here is mine. Took me 4 months to find one that I really like!
What about JLC Master ultra thin moon? Or GO senator panorama date moon?
Here is mine. Took me 4 months to find one that I really like!
oh, this is really beautiful! 😮
GO panomacticlunar was one of the finalist for my wedding watch. Just a tad too thick as a dress watch for my liking.
Go Panomatic (esp. the green and that strap) seems more like a dressy everyday watch vs. an actual dress watch to me. It's my next big purchase for a milestone.
Here is mine. Took me 4 months to find one that I really like!
Oooh, I love that pattern . . . kind of looks like a gas giant planet storm.
What about JLC Master ultra thin moon? Or GO senator panorama date moon?
I very much like the dial layout reminiscent of A. Lange design language (they are, after all, historically related). The green dial, after initial skepticism, has also completely convinced me and the watch fits perfectly on the wrist
What about JLC Master ultra thin moon? Or GO senator panorama date moon?
Tried all three of them IRL, went with the Senator. But really like the Pano as well...perhaps one day :-) That or the VC Fiftysix...or the GO Seventies....or....
That GO is beautiful! I think you’d like the offerings from JLC also, but no large date on them. I like your other plans - I have two Rado ceramics and my wife has one, it’s a beautiful material, you’ll like it.
For my “quo vadis”, I’m trying to support local (to me) watch makers, so I’ve got two on order. From Tsao the Balt-Pilot Worldtimer in titanium with a meteorite dial (picture from their website):
From Maryland Watch Works, a shop that completes movements for many other small brands, their first release of their own brand E. Stohlman, with the Earl. A very cool retro style day/date. This is a picture of the prototype I took at a recent watch fair:
Towson Watch Company is working on a Tides watch. No pictures yet, so a placeholder here, the Cadet field watch that’s already in my collection:
From the ‘majors’ I’m on the wait list for a Snoopy. Promised this year from my AD, but we’ll see!
Happy second half of ‘23 all!
the Tsao looks awesome! since i have relatives in grenchen and biel/bienne, the "local watchmakers" are quite many for me. they actually live about 500m from the Rolex factory 🍻
I live more in the lucerne region, so many ADs here 💸
Greeting from Bern!
GO PanoMaticLunar is among my fav in the collection, love everything about the watch!
I very much like the dial layout reminiscent of A. Lange design language (they are, after all, historically related). The green dial, after initial skepticism, has also completely convinced me and the watch fits perfectly on the wrist
It would be the standout piece in your collection for sure. Hope you get it 👍
It would be the standout piece in your collection for sure. Hope you get it 👍
I see it exactly the same way! The moon phase complication is also a highlight for me in a watch collection (personal opinion). So in terms of design, budget, complication, etc. it would be a highlight of the collection. For me, almost the "natural evolution" of my collection (along with the Rado, which is less prestigious, is also priced behind the Omega and Tag Heuer and is on par with the Longines).
so everything has its balance 🙏
Greeting from Bern!
GO PanoMaticLunar is among my fav in the collection, love everything about the watch!
love yours! Hope it will be the same nice view (in green) from the "Urnersee" 😀
I loved your quote “this will be my 40th birthday watch in 3 years”. My first reading of that was that you’ve gotten 40 watches in 3 years and said they were for your birthday.
Have you looked at the Frédérique Constant moon phase complications? I think some of this look very nice.
Have you looked at the Frédérique Constant moon phase complications? I think some of this look very nice.
Well, the FC Highlife Perpetual Calendar might be an alternative. I have not tried one yet. Its price (new or used) is the same as the OG. Green is not a must. I have to check it out.😉
Gosh, I love the quirky looks of the Rado - but the Panomatic is another league. A league far higher also than a Rolex, in my modest opinion!
Gosh, I love the quirky looks of the Rado - but the Panomatic is another league. A league far higher also than a Rolex, in my modest opinion!
yes the Rado is something completely different with that style. Think to 98% that both the Rado and the GO will come in my collection. both would fit great and on the Rado I get a massive discount from the AD.
Currently I can not motivate me for Rolex.... find Explorer, Yachtmaster and Datejust very interesting watches, but price/performance I really can't go for them. I'd rather spend 7-8k CHF for a GO! Maybe that will change in the future. The prices are falling quite a bit.
A friend was visiting Vermont years ago, brought back a box full of quartz Seiko watches from a store that was shuttering, tossed all the boxes and papers, gifted me a beautiful blue dial Moonphase that was produced for the European marketplace. It featured a large moon on the top section of the dial. Never found another but brands could produce beautiful Moonphase watches if they wanted to without difficulty using quartz technology. I suppose Longines is a good option relative to value for price.
yes the Rado is something completely different with that style. Think to 98% that both the Rado and the GO will come in my collection. both would fit great and on the Rado I get a massive discount from the AD.
Currently I can not motivate me for Rolex.... find Explorer, Yachtmaster and Datejust very interesting watches, but price/performance I really can't go for them. I'd rather spend 7-8k CHF for a GO! Maybe that will change in the future. The prices are falling quite a bit.
I share your lack of motivation for the Rolex - but never say never maybe sometime you can buy one at no premium and without the ominous waiting list. Said that, the GO is still much more good looking!
Greeting from Bern!
GO PanoMaticLunar is among my fav in the collection, love everything about the watch!
Guess it is not Bern but rather lake Brienz with the Niesen in the background of that beautiful watch😜
I’m a sucker for GO. The PanoMaticLunar is outstanding. Before I bought my Senator Observer. The Pano is what I was searching for and then it was SeaQ and then…. I figured I’m going to have to get more than one. So I landed on the Observer for the simple reason it’s bigger. It’s a 44mm instead of 40mm and 42mm. I know one day I’ll have another. Good luck.
I share your lack of motivation for the Rolex - but never say never maybe sometime you can buy one at no premium and without the ominous waiting list. Said that, the GO is still much more good looking!
Well i have some connections at bucherer and beyer is a client of mine. But there are a lot of watches to get first...
Guess it is not Bern but rather lake Brienz with the Niesen in the background of that beautiful watch😜
Hahaha
Love the green dial GO PML...I just plunked some hard cash down for one this year...a few months ago when I found an AD that offered a tremendous deal on one...
There are some other choices you can pursue...even more if you are willing to take a risk on vintage...here are some from my moonphase collection within a collection...(I know the Orient is only Sun/Moon not proper moonphase but I threw it in anyway)...
In alpha order...
wow, there are some serious pieces in your collection! Arnold & Son looks spectacular! i hope i can manage to get the PanoMaticLunar around 7k CHF. Budget is not a problem, just the psychological barrier of spending so much is still there 😜