2,246 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 2, 2001
Several weeks ago I was able to purchase a ref. 3878 Spitfire Chrono. This is the ardoise dial model introduced last year. Having worn it every day since its arrival, I can report I have fallen in like.
Wait, Dick. You mean fallen in love, don't you?
Well, no. I have fallen in like. For reasons I can not explain, while I like the watch just fine, somehow the passion we often feel for a given watch is missing.
I have wanted an ardoise dial for a long time. Between Captain Ardoise’s (Richard S.) frequent posts and Bob Bunnik’s pictures which always heat me up, an ardoise dial has long been on my "have to try" list. And this is a beauty. I wish my photographic skills could capture the color changing sunburst look of the dial rather than the somewhat flat gray I see in my pictures. The dial in real life is so much more alive than my photo shows!
The 3878 pushes a lot of my buttons. In fact, there is nothing about this watch I do not like. There are so many great features!
+ The shimmery, sunburst reflective, ardoise dial
+ lovely contrast between ardoise dial and brown strap
+ I love arabics. Better yet, these are applied arabics that look so alive!
+ I am a sucker for two register chromos
+ The triple date provides a nice balance
+ Red second hand and date marker provide interesting contrasts
+ Superb legibility
+ What a cool reverse!
So what’s the problem? To be honest, I just don’t know. I like each feature. I like the total package. I’ve been happily wearing it and haven’t felt any desire to take it off in favor of another, nor have I felt any desire to let it go or "change" it into something different. So here we are – friends, but not lovers.
All I can do is ask.... Have you ever fallen in like with a watch?
3,234 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 23, 2002Montreal, Quebec,
Canada
Hi Dick, I know "exactly" how you feel!
After I acquired my much-anticipated St-Ex UTC I was thrilled. I was looking for an IWC solution for my travels (you know that I travel a little) and thought this would be a great alternative to the "P" 88 that been my companion for many years.
What's not to like...................
- UTC easy-set function - Beautiful Brown dial - Limited Edition - 44mm - Amazing case-back engraving
However, every time I wore the watch I felt 'underwhelmed'.
Result.....................I moved it out of my collection after just a couple of years :-(
Same thing happened to me with the Vintage AquaTimer. I liked everything about the watch including the fact that it is a bit different from most dive watches. It has a display back and an in-house movement, looks great and runs almost perfectly. Yet in the end, I just didn't bond with it the way I had hoped so it is no longer with me. The heart wants what it wants.
Great post, Dick. Oh, and I call "dibs" if your feelings don't change and you decide to move it on. :)
461 Discussions and CommentsMember since Sept. 7, 2008
I "love" your question, Dick! And I know how you feel.
It made me wonder which watches I love, which watches I like, and which watches I dislike. Fortunately for me, I do not like or love all watches. I love simplicity and a balanced design (dial, case, movement should be in harmony). Less-is-more.
I like my CFI but do not love it. There is a lot to like about that watch, the bracelet is fabulous but there was no spark. Rationally a great watch, shockproof, perfect bracelet, antimagnetic but ..... it does not create a WOW.
Needless to say there are also watches that create a WOW. ;-) Watches such as the Jubilee with its beautiful six bridge movement as well as the Port Pisa. I would trade my 5001 without hesitation for a Jubilee (if it's the right metal of course). Weird, isn't it?
Peter
PS: BTW: your ardoise spitfire is one of the nicest spitfires I've seen!
3,742 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 22, 2001
Great photographs Dick. While I cannot get inside your head and understand just exactly what the missing element of emotion is - in this case of like over love....
After reading your post, I started to think about how I have felt about recent watch purchases. Certainly, there's that itch, the need to get it, the excitement, then it arrives and okay, it's here, blah. Certainly, not the "knock you down, head-over-heels" kick to gut of love I felt from a 5022 Perpetual of certain dial color, or a watch with profile of "The Man" engraved on the back -
Have we just been around the block too much? Have we partied and feasted just a little too heavy - and the only way to get "that high" again is to go bigger, and rarer with each new watch... Toubillons, repeaters, calendars, platinum, ceramics, titanium alluminide.....
2,246 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 2, 2001
Ardoise Wrote: Have we just been around the block too much? Have we partied and feasted just a little too heavy...
You may be on to something here, Richard. I have only owned hundreds of watches, with probably way more than 50 IWC's (haven't reviewed my history lately). There are only so many Jubilees and Pisas and Portofino Moonphases in the world to get ga-ga over.
Ironically, being mostly retired now, I'm actually LESS likely to buy super-expensive pieces, and the "basic" models are climbing more than fast enough.
As people respond, I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who sometimes feels this way.
5,026 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 9, 2006
I need a new speed reading class. I read the headline as if you had fallen in a "lake", not "like".
To be honest, I rarely have buyers remorse, but there are some references I clearly prefer over another. Wrist time delineates which is love and which is like.
Several weeks ago I was able to purchase a ref. 3878 Spitfire Chrono. This is the ardoise dial model introduced last year. Having worn it every day since its arrival, I can report I have fallen in like.
Wait, Dick. You mean fallen in love, don't you?
Well, no. I have fallen in like. For reasons I can not explain, while I like the watch just fine, somehow the passion we often feel for a given watch is missing.
I have wanted an ardoise dial for a long time. Between Captain Ardoise’s (Richard S.) frequent posts and Bob Bunnik’s pictures which always heat me up, an ardoise dial has long been on my "have to try" list. And this is a beauty. I wish my photographic skills could capture the color changing sunburst look of the dial rather than the somewhat flat gray I see in my pictures. The dial in real life is so much more alive than my photo shows!
The 3878 pushes a lot of my buttons. In fact, there is nothing about this watch I do not like. There are so many great features!
+ The shimmery, sunburst reflective, ardoise dial
+ lovely contrast between ardoise dial and brown strap
+ I love arabics. Better yet, these are applied arabics that look so alive!
+ I am a sucker for two register chromos
+ The triple date provides a nice balance
+ Red second hand and date marker provide interesting contrasts
+ Superb legibility
+ What a cool reverse!
So what’s the problem? To be honest, I just don’t know. I like each feature. I like the total package. I’ve been happily wearing it and haven’t felt any desire to take it off in favor of another, nor have I felt any desire to let it go or "change" it into something different. So here we are – friends, but not lovers.
All I can do is ask.... Have you ever fallen in like with a watch?
Dick L.
whichwatch at roadrunner dot com
After I acquired my much-anticipated St-Ex UTC I was thrilled. I was looking for an IWC solution for my travels (you know that I travel a little) and thought this would be a great alternative to the "P" 88 that been my companion for many years.
What's not to like...................
- UTC easy-set function
- Beautiful Brown dial
- Limited Edition
- 44mm
- Amazing case-back engraving
However, every time I wore the watch I felt 'underwhelmed'.
Result.....................I moved it out of my collection after just a couple of years :-(
Cheers,
Nad
Great post, Dick. Oh, and I call "dibs" if your feelings don't change and you decide to move it on. :)
Best regards,
David
It made me wonder which watches I love, which watches I like, and which watches I dislike. Fortunately for me, I do not like or love all watches. I love simplicity and a balanced design (dial, case, movement should be in harmony). Less-is-more.
I like my CFI but do not love it. There is a lot to like about that watch, the bracelet is fabulous but there was no spark. Rationally a great watch, shockproof, perfect bracelet, antimagnetic but ..... it does not create a WOW.
Needless to say there are also watches that create a WOW. ;-) Watches such as the Jubilee with its beautiful six bridge movement as well as the Port Pisa. I would trade my 5001 without hesitation for a Jubilee (if it's the right metal of course). Weird, isn't it?
Peter
PS: BTW: your ardoise spitfire is one of the nicest spitfires I've seen!
Last edited: 11 February, 2013 - 14:29
After reading your post, I started to think about how I have felt about recent watch purchases. Certainly, there's that itch, the need to get it, the excitement, then it arrives and okay, it's here, blah. Certainly, not the "knock you down, head-over-heels" kick to gut of love I felt from a 5022 Perpetual of certain dial color, or a watch with profile of "The Man" engraved on the back -
Have we just been around the block too much? Have we partied and feasted just a little too heavy - and the only way to get "that high" again is to go bigger, and rarer with each new watch... Toubillons, repeaters, calendars, platinum, ceramics, titanium alluminide.....
Regards,
Ardoise
You do not love the CFI????? Man, I know there are a bunch of guys who wish they had gotten one!
Thanks for the nice comment about my Spitfire. It is comforting to know that I am not the only on who somtimes feels this way.
Dick L.
whichwatch at roadrunner dot com
I have multiple watches which I won't let go and have similar feelings for.
You may be on to something here, Richard. I have only owned hundreds of watches, with probably way more than 50 IWC's (haven't reviewed my history lately). There are only so many Jubilees and Pisas and Portofino Moonphases in the world to get ga-ga over.
Ironically, being mostly retired now, I'm actually LESS likely to buy super-expensive pieces, and the "basic" models are climbing more than fast enough.
As people respond, I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who sometimes feels this way.
Dick L.
whichwatch at roadrunner dot com
To be honest, I rarely have buyers remorse, but there are some references I clearly prefer over another. Wrist time delineates which is love and which is like.
Bill
LOL! Too funny! If I had been anywhere near a lake, I'd have been wearing this one!
Dick L.
whichwatch at roadrunner dot com