Patek 5296 vs 4 other watches

[AlyRba]

What would be your choice among the following five? You cannot choose outside these five options. The feedback will help me tremendously. Which one will you choose and why? Thank you

1. Patek 5296 rose gold
2. Vacheron Traditionnelle 82172 pink gold
3. Lange 1815 235.026 white gold
4. Breguet 5177BR/29/9V6 rose gold
5. Lange saxonia 37 rose gold


http://www.vacheron-constantin.com/e...000r-9382.html

https://www.alange-soehne.com/en/tim...uction/235-026

http://www.tourneau.com/watches/breg...RG0112872.html

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/th...ry-level-lange


In my permanent collection that I plan to hold on to, I currently have Patek 5711 white, AP 15202, and FP Journe CB with plans to add Lange 1 rose gold and Vacheron 1921 pink gold few years down the road. The dress watch from the above five choices will be joining this permanent collection.

My day-to-day watch collection that I may trade consists of GO PanoLunar blue dial, GS SGBR061, and Cartier Pasha Seatimer.

[Bearxj86]

Need to give more background? Is this your one and only? What else is in collection?

If it’s your one and only - 5296

[AlyRba]

Originally Posted by bearxj86

Need to give more background? Is this your one and only? What else is in collection?

If it’s your one and only - 5296

Thanks. Edited my original post.

[GB-man]

I like the 1815 in white gold. I also like the 5296 and VC traditionelle but prefer the 1921 you plan to add later.

[SW1]

Using Vote buttons woyld make it easier for you

[Flex368]

The VC 82172, I really have a soft spot for these.

[Justindo]

I'm a big dress watch fan and my wife and I own at least one piece from all of the brands you're looking at, so I'll give you my thoughts on your list of choices.

My last choice would be the Breguet, simply because the date window completely ruins the watch for me. In my opinion, a date window (especially one at 3 o'clock) and even a sweep second hand has no place on a dress watch, but the date window here looks especially awkward on this Breguet. I really do like Breguet's aesthetics, but the addition of a date and the sweep seconds is not a successful execution of it. If you were looking at a 7147, 5140, or a 5157, these would move up my list at least one spot.

My second to last choice would be the Patek, unless you really wanted a date and were looking for a dressy office watch rather than a pure dress watch. Once again, the date window at 3 o'clock and the sweep second hand just don't work for a pure dress piece, at least for me. Still, given the 5296's aesthetics, the date and sweep seconds on the Patek come across much better than on the Breguet, where they look completely out of place. In my opinion, a 5119 (my watch) or a 5196 would be better choices from Patek if you were looking for a pure dress watch. Still, even these rank below the Langes and the Vacheron for me; to ignore aesthetics altogether and to be objective about quality, a dozen years ago, Breguet's movement finishing quality was not up to Patek's. Today, the reverse is true because Patek is simply producing too many watches these days and their quality is suffering because of it. Still, Lange is easily the best of these watches in terms of finishing and Vacheron comes next.

My top three choices on your list would be the two Langes and the Vacheron but my top choice somewhat depends on what you're looking for. Personally, my third choice would be the Saxonia because it lacks a second hand and there's just a bit too much empty space for my taste. I know that there are some who maintain that the ultimate dress watch lacks even a second hand, but I'm not one of them; I like to see a second hand running and, while I dislike a date window and a sweep second hand on a dress watch, I truly love looking at sub seconds. That written, the Saxonia is probably the dressiest watch on your list, so if you like the aesthetics and don't mind or even prefer no second hand, the Saxonia is an easy choice.

The 1815 (I own two models from the line, one of which is the time only version) is less dressy than the Saxonia because of the printed Arabic numerals and the sub seconds. Because of these, however, it's a more versatile watch, especially in white gold. If you're looking for a watch that simultaneously dresses both up and down better than the Patek and doesn't look confused like the Breguet, the 1815 is your answer and its finishing puts those two brands to shame. The same really goes for the Saxonia, albeit with more minimalist looks.

Finally, for a pure dress watch, the Vacheron Traditionnelle 82172 (I own this exact watch as well) checks all the right boxes for me for a pure dress watch. With its faceted batons, dauphine hands with subtly different finishes on each side, railroad minute and second tracks, and machined sub seconds dial, the watch is elegant and simple without being too simple like the Saxonia. The movement is lovely, if not quite as nicely finished as the Langes, and it's a pleasure to wind with a good power reserve.

Regardless of which watch you choose, all are spectacular pieces, although I must stress that the date window on the Breguet really bothers me! Good luck on you journey.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by GB-man

I like the 1815 in white gold. I also like the 5296 and VC traditionelle but prefer the 1921 you plan to add later.

Agree, 1815 and the 1921 neckbreaker are great additions.

[s.m.b.]

5296R or the 1815. Preferring to not have a date complication on a dress watch would probably push me toward the 1815. Although, if I could choose a watch that isn't on this list...

[AlyRba]

Originally Posted by Justindo

I'm a big dress watch fan and my wife and I own at least one piece from all of the brands you're looking at, so I'll give you my thoughts on your list of choices.

My last choice would be the Breguet, simply because the date window completely ruins the watch for me. In my opinion, a date window (especially one at 3 o'clock) and even a sweep second hand has no place on a dress watch, but the date window here looks especially awkward on this Breguet. I really do like Breguet's aesthetics, but the addition of a date and the sweep seconds is not a successful execution of it. If you were looking at a 7147, 5140, or a 5157, these would move up my list at least one spot.

My second to last choice would be the Patek, unless you really wanted a date and were looking for a dressy office watch rather than a pure dress watch. Once again, the date window at 3 o'clock and the sweep second hand just don't work for a pure dress piece, at least for me. Still, given the 5296's aesthetics, the date and sweep seconds on the Patek come across much better than on the Breguet, where they look completely out of place. In my opinion, a 5119 (my watch) or a 5196 would be better choices from Patek if you were looking for a pure dress watch. Still, even these rank below the Langes and the Vacheron for me; to ignore aesthetics altogether and to be objective about quality, a dozen years ago, Breguet's movement finishing quality was not up to Patek's. Today, the reverse is true because Patek is simply producing too many watches these days and their quality is suffering because of it. Still, Lange is easily the best of these watches in terms of finishing and Vacheron comes next.

My top three choices on your list would be the two Langes and the Vacheron but my top choice somewhat depends on what you're looking for. Personally, my third choice would be the Saxonia because it lacks a second hand and there's just a bit too much empty space for my taste. I know that there are some who maintain that the ultimate dress watch lacks even a second hand, but I'm not one of them; I like to see a second hand running and, while I dislike a date window and a sweep second hand on a dress watch, I truly love looking at sub seconds. That written, the Saxonia is probably the dressiest watch on your list, so if you like the aesthetics and don't mind or even prefer no second hand, the Saxonia is an easy choice.

The 1815 (I own two models from the line, one of which is the time only version) is less dressy than the Saxonia because of the printed Arabic numerals and the sub seconds. Because of these, however, it's a more versatile watch, especially in white gold. If you're looking for a watch that simultaneously dresses both up and down better than the Patek and doesn't look confused like the Breguet, the 1815 is your answer and its finishing puts those two brands to shame. The same really goes for the Saxonia, albeit with more minimalist looks.

Finally, for a pure dress watch, the Vacheron Traditionnelle 82172 (I own this exact watch as well) checks all the right boxes for me for a pure dress watch. With its faceted batons, dauphine hands with subtly different finishes on each side, railroad minute and second tracks, and machined sub seconds dial, the watch is elegant and simple without being too simple like the Saxonia. The movement is lovely, if not quite as nicely finished as the Langes, and it's a pleasure to wind with a good power reserve.

Regardless of which watch you choose, all are spectacular pieces, although I must stress that the date window on the Breguet really bothers me! Good luck on you journey.

Thank you for such a detailed response. My thinking is pretty much around the same lines. Lange 1815 WG seems to be the best choice for me. My work/ lifestyle dictates that I mostly wear sporty watches. A Lange 1815 WG will not only be versatile but also flow under the radar.

That being said, I really like the Breguet and Saxonia too. The data window and the sweeping second hands on the Breguet don’t bother me that much, maybe in WG it can be as versatile as the Lange 1815. The Saxonia 37 in rose gold is absolutely gorgeous. But it is a pure dress watch and I am not sure I will end up wearing it that much.

[lord91]

5296