Reply With QuoteOf those three I would go for R D in a heartbeat.
Maybe you should also consider Piaget
These brands are a bit out of my normal comfort zone for watch purchases. I would usually opt for IWC, JLC, Blancpain, UN, etc. However as they say you only live once.
So if resale value is not an issue, which one shall I go for? The big bang is pricy for what it is. Chopard makes some lovely pieces and Roger Dubuis is quite a niche brand.
Of those three I would go for R D in a heartbeat.
Maybe you should also consider Piaget
Thanks, was looking at the Ice Bang and noticed the AD had a RD chronograph and not much price difference. Still very pricy. Is the new Big Bang movement in house?Originally Posted by java
Hublot without hesitation. Just been researching the brand after handling a friends Big Bang, gold with ceramic bezel, and was very impressed. Even more so now i have a better insight into the company and its products after having spent a lot more time online than i should but it was fascinating. I was considering a AP ROO as my next foray into that price range, as i want something substantial, and had looked at the Hublot as an alternative and just as quickly dismissed it, but now armed with a bit more knowledge it is definitely a contender.
Can't comment on the RD or Chopard but I've had Hublots for 6 years now and never had a problem with them.
My first was a Big Bang which is probably the most comfortable watch to wear that I own.
All seem really solid and well built. I'm not sure about the newer BB's but I thought their own in house Unico movement was just in the King Power models at the minute.
Malc
Always been a fan of some of the Chopard stuff - nearly bought one of their Mille Miglia range this time round but had a change of heart at the last minute.
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........
Quite like the Chopard Jacky ickx offerings and the Mille Miglia stuff used prices frighten me off new, as I know I'll want to move it at some point
Hublot all the way. If you can carry off the size and can stretch to it go for a King Power with the in-house Unico movement.
Hublot definitely for me too.
My choice would be Chopard. Nice maker with a good history and some timeless designs, IMO. Hublot is fashionable at the moment, mainly due to huge (and clever) marketing spending. They make lovely stuff (the ice bang is a stunner) but I see them as a bit ephemeral (probably wrongly so, but I still do). If you want to be fashionable and want to draw attention to your wrist, Hublot would be the choice out of the three. But I'd still go for a chopie.
Dubuis for me. I've a longing for a Monegasque but it's the usual worry of resale that holds me back. One day, maybe.
Hublot
they seem to have very few problems.
It's just a matter of time...
I have never really come across Roger Dubois, and Chopard leaves me a bit cold. However I have a lot of time for Hublot. That is the one I would go for.
Depends rather on whether you are looking at the L.U.C. chopards as there are some serious bits of horology there. Otherwise, it would be RD for me. Hublot? No thanks IMHO
+1 to that.
Personally I'd opt for this specific watch,
Chopard... I love them but they use generic movements and 50m water resistant cases on the Mille milia range etc... I can't understand why.
Roger Dubuis... Never owned one but they're apparently very high quality and the boutique I saw in Geneva certainly looked nice! Can't go off that though I guess!
Hublot... Very large watches but the quality is much better than I expected. I thought they're a bit of a fad, a bit fashion brand and very expensive for what they are; however handling one changed my mind. I still wouldn't have one due to their size, but they are good watches.
3 very different brands and that is why I chose them and to be fair my AD had all 3 on display side by side in the window.
I was all set on a Hublot after my recent thread, with the choice between a 42 and 44mm. I don't know whether all the advertising and association does the brand any good but it makes use of interesting design and materials. I like the contrast between ceramic and steel but like the Ice Bang and the Aero with skeleton movement. It is a big watch and will take some getting used to. My concern is how comfortable it will be on my small wrist.
Roger Dubuis is a brand not often seen, as their price is ridiculously expensive. If you think Franck Muller is expensive, think again. Their design is not to everyone's taste but I like the Excalibur, which has been going on for a few years. All their movements are in house and carry the Geneva seal, and not many manufacturer can lay claim to that. The sad fact is that Richemont has a controlling interest, depends on how you view this! Production number is very small and makes them exclusive as well as expensive.
I have thrown in Chopard as it is a brand more widely seen. Not something many will buy before a Rolex or Omega, all in a similar price territory. They have some fascinating design in terms of Mille Miglia but not all movement is in house. They do look good in real life.
All 3 brands have some pedigree and history behind them. They are all manufactured to a very high standard. One thing for sure is that you are bound to lose plenty of money on selling it on, so it has to be a keeper. Does this change your minds?
Hublot BB - I've a Steel/Ceramic myself.
I've had a Chopard MMXL and nice as it was, it just didn't get much wrist time.
The RDs I like are more RM territory, this Kingsquare being a particular favourite...
http://www.ablogtowatch.com/roger-du...watch-friends/
For me Roger Dubuis. The ranges impress me too - in that some of the watches are quite traditional but some are fairly "out there" and brave as well as innovative.
The 100% poincon de geneve element demonstrates the quality of the brand. These aint novelty watches by any stretch of the imagination.
Hublot - looks like they are made from an airfix kit for footballers.
Roger Dubuis - classy, but no one will have a clue what it is.
Chopard - I love the Mille Miglias, and they have heritage. But only buy second hand as otherwise you might as well take 50% of the price and burn it.
So clever my foot fell off.
Three good points.
Point two is an especially good reason to buy a Roger Dubuis - for the quality of the watch as opposed to a logo on it.
But do you dare wear a watch without a greek letter or a crown on it? Can you bear the thought that nobody except true watch enthusists will recognise it? Are you that self confident? If no - well you know who the forum darling is - buy one of theirs. In stainless. A sports model.
Thanks and that's why my OP said you only live once. Been there, done that and got the postcard with the usual suspects. I prefer my UN Maxine diver to my SD and my Spring Drive to the new PO.
Overall I think the Roger Dubuis will suit me well. The decoration of the movement is phenomenon and it has that micro-rotor. Advantage is that it is rare and limited, with the main problem being the cost. It is in that category of elegant sport watch with a poor WR. I have to say the big bang was positively boring in comparison. The Hublot looks very modern and well manufactured but lack a bit of "soul"!
I could, of course, go for something a bit more acceptable like the Royal Oak Offshore but I feel a bit rebellious in my old age!
Definitely Chopard, the L.U.C. series.
Some quite serious watchmaking there. If you are trying to get into "semi-independent" territory as I think you are, a Corum Golden Bridge (original, first series, IMHO Gerald Genta's best idea) would also be a good bet. You would need to go look at second hand or NIB though.
Rebel! Get the RD! Post many pics!
Im with Chris, the MM are good watches as long as they are priced right
RIAC
Stunning!! What model is that and what sort of money does it go for? Any Idea?
And Hublot for me too, at the moment
+1 to that.
Personally I'd opt for this specific watch,
It's the "la Monegasque" and it comes in a number of versions (complications, metal).
Don't recall the price.
From a horology excellence point of view, the Dubuis.
Sounds like youre after something off the beaten track and that one is the stand out brand of the 3. Im not detracting from the others (i wore a hublot back in the early 90s long before they became trendy) but RD is the specialist watchmaker of the 3.
Hi
Just to revive this thread as I'm looking at Roger Dubuis watches specifically. Anyone have any thoughts on their excalibur series?
Thanks
Buy to own indefinitely or at the right price if you plan to sell in a relatively short space of time, as you’ll lose a fortune.
Beyond that, cracking watches, and go for the bracelet if opting for the SS version. The carbon version looks interesting, as does the slightly larger (45mm) model with the R/W/B colour scheme — http://www.rogerdubuis.com/watches/e...ur-rddbex0602/
Thanks for the heads up, you're definitely right, I don't think I've ever seen one for sale on SC.
They do seem to have quite a fair few models, do you know whether they produce a lot of watches - are they kind of at the same level at panerai?
Far beyond pretty much all that Panerai has to offer — all in-house movements, and Poinçon de Geneve hallmarked.
If you mean specifically an Excalibur compared with the usual PAMs, then you’re coming at it from the wrong angle — that’d be like comparing a Tudor BB to an H Moser & Cie.
LUC Chopard is a clear winner compared to Hublot and RD.
The standard 44mm Bigbang is not in-house but for me that’s not a bad thing.
I’m typically a movement snob and love PP and AP but the BB is quite a fun sporty watch. I got the black magic for myself.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
A timely thread for me as I am eyeing up a Chopard in my local independent dealers...
This one is also on the borderline of my comfort zone......
It’s a yellow dialled Mille miglia chronograph GMT- a limited run for a Dubai dealer and it’s a stunning looking thing-a real summer watch if ever there was.
Just summing up the nerve to buy something I know will be a nightmare to ever sell again!
I like the Chopard if you are looking at fancy, but surely Cartier needs to be on this list too?
That's interesting.. the pricing of excalibur on chrono24 really isn't much more expensive than certain panerais which is why I asked. What kind of manufacture would be comparable to dubuis?
Sent from my [device_name] using TZ-UK mobile app
Chopard L.U.C. would be fairly comparable, albeit slightly better finishing on the movement.
You could also compare them with AP, given that both have pieces with MSRPs in the 200-300K bracket.
https://quillandpad.com/2017/03/05/p...s-geneva-seal/
I’m a big fan of the Excaliburs, and would put the money into one of those sooner than any Panerai, and most other alternative options at similar costs.
Posting Permissions
