Haha the price is scary at $37k AUD but somewhat justified with the LUC movement with Geneva stamp, new case to accommodate different movement, larger dial. They said there will be a 10% price increase next year in March so that’ll take the RRP over $40k!

Do you own any other watches in your collection? The safe bet is the SM or Santos and i would imagine majority would say this. The Santos is probably the most versatile since you can change out bracelet and straps but I’ve never personally owned one but seems to be one watch many recommend.

I have owned a SM300 in the past - nice watches but the HEV I didnt like to ended up with a 1957 SM Trilogy which I enjoyed a lot.

Unless you have a specific tie to Cobra or own one then I’d pass on the Brietling. They have some other options which i personally think are nice but never owned which is the B09 Chronograph with pistachio dial but again never owned one.

Finally the Monaco - personally the dial variation shown probably isnt my fave - I would lean to the older Heuer dials with the Calbre 11 movement. I’ve owned the grey Heuer and that was one of my all time favourite watches. It is a little thick but it is such a fun watch and has rich history.

Definitely recommend trying them all on and seeing which one you connect with the most and that should be the one you get.

Good luck!

I actually went into the Chopard Boutique today and checked out the AE. They had the slate colour, the black titanium and XPS. They are stunning and much more than I thought. I also checked out the gold ones with the navy and forest green dials and wow!

I am going to get a XPS somehow haha

The AE is really growing on me! When you stop comparing it to the other integrated bracelet watches and look at it on its own it’s actually an amazing watch for the price point. The date is still abit hard to get over haha - hopefully they release one with out it! Would be parting ways with cash in an instant

I’d take any of these over the AE41 with the date window lol

Looks pretty good!

Thank you! Yes the only colour this dial really clashes with is black so when that happens I put on the G Shock

I bought a Pepsi 16710 - was recently serviced, unpolished and bezel had started to fade giving it a really unique colour. It photographed well and I was looking for a statement piece to add to my collection. The reason i regret it is because I don’t like date windows and especially not cyclops but i thought I would get over it finding such a treasure.

It lasted about 3 months until i sold it - ended up losing some money too which made it even worse. The regret wasn’t losing the money though it was not listening to my own set of rules/preferences when it came to watches and fell into the flex/hype of it.

https://preview.redd.it/9luimeabxpvb1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=34cd78460e2d4556d5f212dc8e0c796f39aa6087

Omega Railmaster 2503.52

GO Seventies Chronograph Panodate

Breitling Datora (but had to be pre-owned to meet budget). Something that is abit of fun, colour or quirky like the Tag Skipper or even a Heuer Monaco which will add colour and variety of case shape.

If you want to go completely off check out Glashutte Original sixties or seventies annual editions which have some wild dial colours such as green, orange, ice blue or yellow. If my wrist allowed it I’d have a seventies in a heartbeat!

I am the CFO of the household - my job is to take care of everyone and everything. If I am not putting us into any debts or financial hardships we cannot manage then I am free to do what I want. My bonus is basically free for me to spend on anything since I earned that through effort and hard work so that’s what I use.

Between that bonus i buy/sell/trade and keep watch numbers the same so it’s never oh you got so many watches it’s same number just a different piece