Originally Posted by
levkov
I'd vote on the Monaco as well.
It just works out perfectly if you think about it: sometime in the far future, two iconic watches for both of your boys.
Rolex - understand your dilemma, especially that the Moonwatch and the Submariner are the two most iconic watches ever made.
Or are they? :)
Would there be a fight over them between the boys, as people tend to go crazy about Rolex?
I'd vouch for the Monaco.
I turned 40 myself last year, and the Moonwatch & the Monaco are in the top two places on my vision board (&bucket list?)
I had a submariner on my list as well, but vintage Rolexes are a minefield & in general, Rolex prices have gone through the roof. For a watch enthusiast it doesn't make much sense to fork out £10k, which could buy you a variety of very nice watches instead.
Anyway, i'll get to the point: the Monaco.
Specifically the CAW211P
Why? To date, there are only two proper modern iterations of the original McQueen Monaco 1133b. By proper i mean the crown is on the left hand side, just like on the original.
It's not just an iconic watch because of the McQueen connection, or the striking design (i believe this was the first waterproof square watch ever made as well), but being the first automatic chronograph. A well known war between the industry giants Heuer, Buren, Breitling, Zenith & Seiko.
So, these two modern remakes of the original 1133b are:
1. the CAW211A, which was the 40st anniversary edition made in 2009, limited to just - as far as i remember - 1000pcs & original price tag was $10,000 & has always been very sought after, so it's very expensive - if you can find one at all.
2. the CAW211P, which was not limited, and also has the crown on the left & very much looks like the original 1133b.
This latter has been discontinued at the end of 2019, but miraculously it's still available at a few UK retailers - moreover, you can still find them at a discounted price!
This has all the properties to be a future classic, just like the first modern Panerai's.
The new Monaco (while it has a lovely new movement), unfortunately has nothing to do with the iconic 1133b. And with this new movement, i can't see any "left-hand drive" (lefty crown) versions coming out any time soon - as it's technically not possible. The CAW211P had a modular piggyback chronograph movement, so Heuer could rotate the base movement to place the crown on the left. But the new one is an integrated movement, it would be extremely difficult to place the crown on the left. Making the CAW211P a future classic.
I've done months of research, but unfortunately can't afford a CAW211P myself, but I'm confident it would be a sound investment & heritage piece.