Best luxury rectangular auto watch reference.

[DonRickles]

In the market for a slim rectangular.

Excuse my ignorance I’m just diving in!

I’ve read Cartier was the first, but As an example a Patek Gondola is a great buy grey market.

My Cartier Tank thread lead to needing more of an education an opinions.

Please let’s hear? What pro’s and cons?
Quoting another The Jaeger lacoulter Reverso classic is a SS. The Cartier best in PM…..?

I’m open to all suggestions and thoughts!

What do you think guys?

[dannyp]

Instinct tells me that you should really consider manually wound pieces as well. Given the need to literally fit a round peg in a square hole, the majority of high-end rectangular watches seem to be manual wind. Only the largest seem to be able to fit an auto (i.e. Cartier Tank Solo XL).

[DonRickles]

Originally Posted by dannyp

Instinct tells me that you should really consider manually wound pieces as well. Given the need to literally fit a round peg in a square hole, the majority of high-end rectangular watches seem to be manual wind. Only the largest seem to be able to fit an auto (i.e. Cartier Tank Solo XL).

I'm listening to every word Danny! Small is Ok too! I'd rather medium to small, over large or XL....So far in, my early research.

I do think I could very easily make this style a daily.

For sure will open my eyes to manual! Thankx!!!

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by DonRickles

I'm listening to every word Danny! Small is Ok too! I'd rather medium to small, over large or XL....So far in, my early research.

I do think I could very easily make this style a daily.

For sure will open my eyes to manual! Thankx!!!

If you’re cool with manual wind, some interesting (but potentially discontinued) ones are:

PP Gondolo (previously mentioned; multiple styles)
Rolex Cellini prince
GP 1945 (may be auto)
Breguet Heritage (if you count tonneau shape)

If you want to “test the waters” with a relatively inexpensive rectangular watch, the Longines DolceVita or Hamilton Boulton are both compelling options.

[danicasi2002]

Have you considered the Cartier Must WSTA0054, 0055, or 0056 timepiece? Highly in demand when it came out early in the year and sold out, and I heard starting Sept 1, Cartier is releasing stocks of the WSTA0055. Not too big a hole in the pocket.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by danicasi2002

Have you considered the Cartier Must WSTA0054, 0055, or 0056 timepiece? Highly in demand when it came out early in the year and sold out, and I heard starting Sept 1, Cartier is releasing stocks of the WSTA0055. Not too big a hole in the pocket.

From the other thread the OP started, my impression was that he wanted a PM, mechanical piece. As far as I can tell, the gold mechanical version died with the "Solo" name and only the quartz comes in gold on the Must.

[vitalsigns]

I would opt for a JLC Reverso automatic.

Classic piece. Great brand. True horological chops.

[dannyp]

Dupe

[DonRickles]

Originally Posted by dannyp

If you’re cool with manual wind, some interesting (but potentially discontinued) ones are:

PP Gondolo (previously mentioned; multiple styles)
Rolex Cellini prince
GP 1945 (may be auto)
Breguet Heritage (if you count tonneau shape)

If you want to “test the waters” with a relatively inexpensive rectangular watch, the Longines DolceVita or Hamilton Boulton are both compelling options.

Great stuff! It's all sinking in and I'm swaying now back and forth...

Originally Posted by danicasi2002

Have you considered the Cartier Must WSTA0054, 0055, or 0056 timepiece? Highly in demand when it came out early in the year and sold out, and I heard starting Sept 1, Cartier is releasing stocks of the WSTA0055. Not too big a hole in the pocket.

I'll look at the Must! I thought they were a large sized...?

Originally Posted by dannyp

From the other thread the OP started, my impression was that he wanted a PM, mechanical piece. As far as I can tell, the gold mechanical version died with the "Solo" name and only the quartz comes in gold on the Must.

This is accurate. I do prefer PM in either YG or RG. I have a SS Sub and a WG Daytona as my first two in the collection

Originally Posted by vitalsigns

I would opt for a JLC Reverso automatic.

Classic piece. Great brand. True horological chops.

You know the Reverso was my first choice. Do you agree that the Reverso is more an SS watch, and say the Cartier is more of a PM piece?

Thanks for this education! Really helpful!!

[HHIslander]

Originally Posted by vitalsigns

I would opt for a JLC Reverso automatic.

Classic piece. Great brand. True horological chops.

+1

I have just one dress watch these days and it's a Reverso. It's the only rectangular/square watch that appeals to me aesthetically.

I could be wrong, but I think they also hold their value fairly well. ??

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by vitalsigns

I would opt for a JLC Reverso automatic.

Classic piece. Great brand. True horological chops.

100% this

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by DonRickles

…

You know the Reverso was my first choice. Do you agree that the Reverso is more an SS watch, and say the Cartier is more of a PM piece?

Thanks for this education! Really helpful!!

The Reverso comes in PM too and the platinum is especially

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by DonRickles

You know the Reverso was my first choice. Do you agree that the Reverso is more an SS watch, and say the Cartier is more of a PM piece?

Thanks for this education! Really helpful!!

No more than saying that a Sub "should be" a stainless watch. Many watches have expanded their metal offerings over the years. Yes, there are more stainless Reverso offerings than PM, and it was the "traditional" configuration, but there's no "should be" about it - all a matter of preference.

Of note: When I look at the JLC website, all of the current non-diamond Reverso models are manual wind (save for a few quartz) so again, you'd want to make sure you're OK with that.

Horologically speaking, JLC and Cartier are in entirely different leagues. If I were buying one, I'd be more inclined to spend the extra for PM on the former.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by vitalsigns

I would opt for a JLC Reverso automatic.

Classic piece. Great brand. True horological chops.

Someone correct me if I'm mistaken, but I believe that the only Reverso automatic offered today is the Duetto, which is thicker, has watch faces on both sides of the case, and comes only with diamonds. Perhaps there is an out-of-production version worth exploring that's still available?

[vitalsigns]

Originally Posted by dannyp

Someone correct me if I'm mistaken, but I believe that the only Reverso automatic offered today is the Duetto, which is thicker, has watch faces on both sides of the case, and comes only with diamonds. Perhaps there is an out-of-production version worth exploring that's still available?

Right. If the OP does not want manual winding, he'd have to find a preowned Reverso automatic. Not positive, but probably not too hard to do.

[Stuart B]

Originally Posted by dannyp

Someone correct me if I'm mistaken, but I believe that the only Reverso automatic offered today is the Duetto, which is thicker, has watch faces on both sides of the case, and comes only with diamonds. Perhaps there is an out-of-production version worth exploring that's still available?

Yes, the only current auto model in the Reverso range is the Duetto (which has diamonds on atleast one of the faces).

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by vitalsigns

Right. If the OP does not want manual winding, he'd have to find a preowned Reverso automatic. Not positive, but probably not too hard to do.

Not sure when they were discontinued, but wondering if ADs/secondary dealer will still have BNIB examples. Probably worth poking around for if appealing.

[DonRickles]

Is this statement accurate……..

Jaeger leCoutre is a watch horological company

Cartier is a jewelry company.

???

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by DonRickles

Is this statement accurate……..

Jaeger leCoutre is a watch horological company

Cartier is a jewelry company.

???

The way I think about it:

JLC makes timepieces
Cartier makes pieces of jewelry that tell time

Both are exceptionally good at what they do, but they make different products. JLC is among the most underrated, under-the-radar watches out there. It’s known as a watchmaker’s watchmaker and has produced movements for many of the great watch companies. Like Zenith and GP in that regard, but probably plays on a higher level than those.