£300,000 Timepiece

[rootbeer7]

Learned friends I have been asked (or tasked) to help a high net worth gentleman find a special timepiece. Until we meet and I learn more about him the only information I have is that he wants under the radar except to those in the know. It will be worn regularly and not put away and the budget may stretch to £300k.

Please share some dream pieces, the usual, the unusual and the left field as I'd like to offer a good range of ideas.

Looking forward to responses.

[Marciano490]

Patek 5078P.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Marciano490

Patek 5078P.

Not unusual that the first answer is the best answer.

Just sayin

[lapince]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Not unusual that the first answer is the best answer.

Just sayin

Yes the 5078P is a great watch and under the radar for sure, but for 300k I think I would do things differently, if you have 300k to spend and are not a compulsive flipper like many here, I would definitely go for a bespoke piece, having a watch that no one in the world had or will have is really a special feeling, and as much as resale in Roger Smith or Voutilainen watches might give you a bath, who knows what the future holds flr those pieces, not that I want to sell mine one day, Inwant my son to have it when I am gone, but who knows in 20-30 years...

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by lapince

Yes the 5078P is a great watch and under the radar for sure, but for 300k I think I would do things differently, if you have 300k to spend and are not a compulsive flipper like many here, I would definitely go for a bespoke piece, having a watch that no one in the world had or will have is really a special feeling, and as much as resale in Roger Smith or Voutilainen watches might give you a bath, who knows what the future holds flr those pieces, not that I want to sell mine one day, Inwant my son to have it when I am gone, but who knows in 20-30 years...

I hear you arnaud. Of course brand always comes into play but I honestly think the 5078 stands on its own quite well particularly with the black dial.

I was trying to find out what a KV MR would cost and came across this. Was this inspiration for your hunter caseback?

http://www.ablogtowatch.com/voutilai...iece-unique-2/

[Star Ferry]

Personally, I think going into watches (for the first time) with the intention to spend that much is a recipe for disappointment

Start with parameters like water resistance, brand, etc. and work from there. Maybe someone is dead set on spending 300K but the best watch for their lifestyle is a 5711 they could source for under 35K

My dad used to collect Patek and now only has a GMTII LN and a fitbit. They say life is the toughest teacher, right?

[lapince]

Originally Posted by GB-man

I hear you arnaud. Of course brand always comes into play but I honestly think the 5078 stands on its own quite well particularly with the black dial.

I was trying to find out what a KV MR would cost and came across this. Was this inspiration for your hunter caseback?

http://www.ablogtowatch.com/voutilai...iece-unique-2/

Yes this one and the case of the MP7, about the price not sure, I would imagine around 250k but just a wild guess, might be more around 300-350k, I can ask him if you want to buy one

[breitlings]

Pan Am white dial GMT or white dial sub. Maybe a Paul Newman Daytona or more modern a Breitling Mulliner Tourbillon...

[ELITEVIDEOGAMES]

bespoke Roger Smith?

[kunlun]

Originally Posted by ELITEVIDEOGAMES

bespoke Roger Smith?

Perfect answer.




Another is the AP Royal Oak Tourbillon platinum



Perfect daily wearer, under the radar but so nice to those in the know and fits the price range at around 225k.

[PJ S]

Originally Posted by kunlun

Perfect answer.

Only if the buyer shares the same view, and is content to wait 2½ years, at least, before he receives it.
Even the Credor MR that I mentioned, is 12-18 months in all likelihood.

[meganfox17]

Just a few weeks back , a Chinese working colleague of mine , a serious watch connoisseur and Endocrinologist wore this watch while examining patients at the outpatient department of a Malaysian Government hospital from 8am to 5pm in the presence of the attending nurses and other doctors. Surprisingly no one made any passing comment or noticed what was on his wrist the whole time until I happen to bump into him at the carpark after work.

It was one of those jaw dropping moments I would never ever forget and I almost fainted when I saw what he was wearing

https://youtu.be/fe1UeymzfHs

[lapince]

Originally Posted by meganfox17

Just a few weeks back , a Chinese working colleague of mine , a serious watch connoisseur and Endocrinologist wore this watch while examining patients at the outpatient department of a Malaysian Government hospital from 8am to 5pm in the presence of the attending nurses and other doctors. Surprisingly no one made any passing comment or noticed what was on his wrist the whole time until I happen to bump into him at the carpark after work.

It was one of those jaw dropping moments I would never ever forget and I almost fainted when I saw what he was wearing

https://youtu.be/fe1UeymzfHs

Amazing indeed, but OP said under the radar, hard to imagine this being under the radar, even if you don't know watches just one look at it tells you that this is a really expensive time piece

And many other answers given are amazing but many really don't fit the "under the radar" bill

[meganfox17]

Originally Posted by lapince

Amazing indeed, but OP said under the radar, hard to imagine this being under the radar, even if you don't know watches just one look at it tells you that this is a really expensive time piece

And many other answers given are amazing but many really don't fit the "under the radar" bill

I was only sharing a once in a lifetime experience when I actually held the most expensive watch ever in the palms of my hands that cost 450 000 Singapore dollars and perhaps the last time I would ever see a timepiece that cost over a million Malaysian ringgit right in front of my eyes

I know very well the OP will choose the PP. Oh, he will. Don't you worry about that. It was never in doubt in my mind as soon as I saw the numbers he was quoting. Of course everyone is entitled to offer their thoughts and opinions. It is very easy to suggest a PP but I'm a rebel and chose to be different and defiant !

The OP did mention about an exotic unusual dream timepiece but trust me, only a few ( including me ) on the forum would actually understand the incredibly sophisticated movement and complications of a watch that took 5 years to create.

Have a great weekend Sir .

[SearChart]

These two come to mind.. I've been lucky enough to handle them.

[Busyboy]

The only one I can think of
Roger dubuis tourbillion for statement
Or
Something patek...for the refined

[TK-710]

Originally Posted by Busyboy

The only one I can think of
Roger dubuis tourbillion for statement
Or
Something patek...for the refined

RD Knights of the Round Table II.

[Sam Philip]

Patek 5178G or 5204P

[GB-man]

Patek 5078P
Patek 5370P
Patek 5711P

Super clean vintage
Rolex 6538 big crown
Rolex 5517 mil sub

Honestly those are the only ones I'd consider with that budget. I have no idea what a nice big crown or 5517 goes for these days.

[texasmade]

Patek 5711P

[PJ S]

Grand Seiko SBGD202 (or 201) – https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=544825 – although might not be expensive enough, and too under the radar!
Case width might be a slight issue, depending on his wrist shape and size.

What sort of occasions will he be wearing it?
Daily at the office or more evening time while attending various functions, etc?

I’m going to ignore the case aspect, and throw out ones that may do the trick. In no particular order:

Chopard LUC Tourbillon Tech Steel Wings
Ferdinand Berthoud FB1
Gronefeld Parallax Tourbillon
Andreas Strehler Sauterelle à Lune Perpétuelle
Romain Gauthier Logical One
(Manufacture Contemporaine Du Temps) MCT S200
Frédéric Jouvenot Helios
Christian Klings
Credor GBLS998 Minute Repeater
Credor Eichi II
Harry Winston Opus 12
Chopard LUC Full Strike Minute Repeater
Akrivia Tourbillon Heure Minute
A Favre & Fils 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 Hugo
Angelus U20, U21
McGonigle
Volker Vyskocil
Christophe Claret Maestoso
Paul Gerber Model 41
Bexei (Aaron Becsei)
Julien Coudray
Bovet


Some of those will permit customisation of case material, dial design, etc, which might be more appealing, and prices aren’t all pegged in the 6 figure range either – no need to spend any more than necessary to get what takes his fancy.

[Atlantic]

5711p

[tng11]

At that budget I'd do either one of:

1. Lange 1 Tourbillion Perpetual (315,900 EUR):



2. Patek 5078P ($385,000 USD):



3. Patek 5204P ($317,500 USD):



4. AP Royal Oak Tourbillon Chronograph Squelette ($297,000 USD):

[socalwatchcollector]

Originally Posted by tng11

At that budget I'd do either one of:

1. Lange 1 Tourbillion Perpetual (315,900 EUR):



2. Patek 5078P ($385,000 USD):



3. Patek 5204P ($317,500 USD):



4. AP Royal Oak Tourbillon Chronograph Squelette ($297,000 USD):

The Lange Tourbillion is a beautiful time piece. Great choice on your options.

[jschmidtdmd]

This is an amazing problem to have! It's also a super cool adventure to be apart of! Enjoy!

[ap1]

So he outsourced to you and you to TRF, fun

Platinum and Patek come to mind

[rootbeer7]

Thank you all for some incredible answers. They have all been added to my list. PP would be my top of the list as certain models could be good investments. I'll keep you posted.

[tng11]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

Thank you all for some incredible answers. They have all been added to my list. PP would be my top of the list as certain models could be good investments. I'll keep you posted.

If investment/value retention is one criteria then it's PP, no contest, any day of the week. Most of the other pieces mentioned here, including my favourite, the Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual, will take a huge hit on resale (and no offense to you Arnaud, that KV is very beautiful, but the hit to the wallet on resale would have me stay far away.)

That said, these PP complications are on "application", meaning that they have to be vetted by PP and then some time waiting. If they don't already own a number of PPs, I would hazard a guess that being approved for one of these pieces is low.

[lapince]

Originally Posted by tng11

(and no offense to you Arnaud, that KV is very beautiful, but the hit to the wallet on resale would have me stay far away.)

None taken, I knew when getting it that if I get it this is one piece I will definitely need to never sell, fortunately I am doing good and have many things I could sell if ever I was in need of money, but this one isn't going anywhere for sure, so it's clearly not an investment to hold money and even less to make money, after having 4 watches which do extremely well on resale, would make money on 3 and be even on one, I wanted a passion piece and this was the one for me, I love watches and have my perfect 5 pieces, well at least for me, and have no intention of selling either of them.

And of course I agree if value retention is obligatory go PP, if exclusivity and under the radar are, then R Smith or Voutilainen

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by tng11

If investment/value retention is one criteria then it's PP, no contest, any day of the week. Most of the other pieces mentioned here, including my favourite, the Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual, will take a huge hit on resale (and no offense to you Arnaud, that KV is very beautiful, but the hit to the wallet on resale would have me stay far away.)

That said, these PP complications are on "application", meaning that they have to be vetted by PP and then some time waiting. If they don't already own a number of PPs, I would hazard a guess that being approved for one of these pieces is low.

When you're spending 400 grand lists and relationships are irrelevant. These watches are available.