"Comparing In-House, Manually-Wound Dress Watches Under $20,000"

[Cru Jones]

This Hodinkee article is worth a look:

http://www.hodinkee.com/features/thr...al-dress-watch

[tinger]

Thanks for sharing..
for me the order would be
VC
Lange
Journe (3rd mostly because of the off center, large small second)

[SearChart]

That is a cool video, thanks for sharing

[ELITEVIDEOGAMES]

The Journe for me is the perfect dress watch because it can double casually. Unfortunately it does scare me how they speak of it possibly being only serviced by Journe. Are Journes service fees insane like some of the other smaller independents? (Like Richard Mille)
That Journe movement is impeccable and IMHO beats the others out with its unique look and execution.

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by ELITEVIDEOGAMES

The Journe for me is the perfect dress watch because it can double casually. Unfortunately it does scare me how they speak of it possibly being only serviced by Journe. Are Journes service fees insane like some of the other smaller independents? (Like Richard Mille)
That Journe movement is impeccable and IMHO beats the others out with its unique look and execution.

I would tend to agree with you, and purely from a horology standpoint they did a very good job of describing the Journe's place in the market and its unique design. That said as elegant and as completely unique as the Journe is, the VC was the stand out for me. I just prefer VC's aesthetic, the service issue is merely an added plus.

To take it a step further, as stunning as the Journe is and I do think it's stunning, a blue face and SS body is not really the dress combo I would be looking for personally. I don't really have the need to have multiple dress watches and if I were buying one right now I would prefer gold with a white face. More traditional, less European perhaps, though they are all European, the styling on the VC is more universal, at least to me.

The ALS was also a stunner and the most traditional dress watch of the three but ALS styling has never spoken to me, I just really think the VC is Marc's cup of tea...

[SearChart]

The movement in the Fp Journe is magnificent.

[ELITEVIDEOGAMES]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

I would tend to agree with you, and purely from a horology standpoint they did a very good job of describing the Journe's place in the market and its unique design. That said as elegant and as completely unique as the Journe is, the VC was the stand out for me. I just prefer VC's aesthetic, the service issue is merely an added plus.

To take it a step further, as stunning as the Journe is and I do think it's stunning, a blue face and SS body is not really the dress combo I would be looking for personally. I don't really have the need to have multiple dress watches and if I were buying one right now I would prefer gold with a white face. More traditional, less European perhaps, though they are all European, the styling on the VC is more universal, at least to me.

The ALS was also a stunner and the most traditional dress watch of the three but ALS styling has never spoken to me, I just really think the VC is Marc's cup of tea...

Valid points on the VC being the classic dress watch. Conservative but stunning nonetheless. This particular Lange does nothing for me as well, just not my style and screams old guy watch. To each his own but I love the idea of that Journe in a blue business suit during the week and with jeans and a collared shirt come weekend.

[capote]

Originally Posted by tinger

Thanks for sharing..
for me the order would be
VC
Lange
Journe (3rd mostly because of the off center, large small second)

Agree. Fun with the gold movement of the FPJ though.

[Vipes]

Thanks for the heads up. Love Hodinkee

[mps354]

I'm really liking the journe as well, but also would be interested in hearing about service costs...

[Cru Jones]

For me, it's not Journe's service cost, it's whether there will be anyone to service the movement in 20/30 years....

[kilyung]

FPJ does not publish service costs so you've got to ask other owners. I know someone with a "basic" FPJ who reported a cost of $3500 for a regular service. However I've heard reports that it varies per person.

[ELITEVIDEOGAMES]

Originally Posted by kilyung

FPJ does not publish service costs so you've got to ask other owners. I know someone with a "basic" FPJ who reported a cost of $3500 for a regular service. However I've heard reports that it varies per person.

That would make me think twice about the brand. If $3500 is the regular service cost, I don't want to know what it would cost if something acutually needed to be fixed and not just lubed and regulated..

[mps354]

I'm trying to gather more price data points...I really love the chronometre bleu. Just sent a note to my AD, will let you know what they say

[Dickson Lim]

Originally Posted by kilyung

FPJ does not publish service costs so you've got to ask other owners. I know someone with a "basic" FPJ who reported a cost of $3500 for a regular service. However I've heard reports that it varies per person.

If that is the cost of a routine service for the Tantalum Bleu. I might rather get myself a new FPJ TB!

[One Ping Only]

I voted Vacheron:

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by One Ping Only

I voted Vacheron:

[malarky_hk]

Any other suggestions of comparable pieces that could go up against the three presented. I'm actually considering the ALS and VC as potential next purchase. The Calatrava line is an obvious suggestion, but just doesn't excite me.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by malarky_hk

Any other suggestions of comparable pieces that could go up against the three presented. I'm actually considering the ALS and VC as potential next purchase. The Calatrava line is an obvious suggestion, but just doesn't excite me.

The ALS 1815 is an obvious choice. Wears slightly more casual than the saxonia but I think that is a good thing. JLC MUT moon for half the money in SS is noteworthy.

edit: JLC is automatic so disregard according to terms

[mps354]

The jlc master ultra thin jubilee in platinum - I believe this is around $20k as well

[AK797]

The Lange for me, the FPJ font is over large for a dress watch.

[mps354]

Originally Posted by mps354

The jlc master ultra thin jubilee in platinum - I believe this is around $20k as well

I meant that this was another option to consider. I really like the jubilee, but Since I have 2 reversos, I'd pick the journe

[codecow]

I'd put the ALS Saxonia thin in there and also a Calatrava. If you're spending $20k you can probably swing the difference without issue.

[mynameistaken]

First choice "Lange", just because I have an oversea VC.. Like to mix up the mix...

[benlee]

I love this youtube video and watch it a few times. For me, my choice will be the VC. Such a classy watch with beautiful movement The FPJ has the nicest looking movement of the three and an interesting design but it looks more casual/sporty than dressy and the service issues mentioned in the article is a practical concern. The Lange is also nice but I think the dial design is kind of dull and I am not a fan of the Lange's 3/4 plate design that covers the movement.

[capote]

Originally Posted by One Ping Only

I voted Vacheron:

[tinger]

Did u guys read what Voutilainen wrote about VC's 4400 movement?
http://www.thehourlounge.com/thread/...240_28240.html

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by tinger

Did u guys read what Voutilainen wrote about VC's 4400 movement?
http://www.thehourlounge.com/thread/...240_28240.html

Thanks for the link.

[Java]

Of those three I would favor the VC. But there are many other watches I would consider before those three.

For example, and I voted with my wallet on this one. (Just a few more $$s)





Re Service cost. This one I had serviced by Moser in Switzerland last year (back to me within 2 months) under $1200