Quote:
Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler
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IMO, from a distance, it is simple and sensible. From a conversational distance there is a quiet elegance about it. In person and in your hands, there's just all these tiny elaborate details that get you excited for the watch that perhaps you wish were more prominent and noticeable from a distance.
I don't think you can go wrong with a Presage. An excellent choice for a dress watch. I guess some of the complaints about it (similar to the cocktail time) is that it's inexplicably boring from a distance (especially the strap). It's simplicity done so well it borders elegance, but doesn't exude it. If you look really, really closely at the watch, there's just these really freaking tiny details that stick out and get you excited about the watch. It is a fantastic watch that downplays how amazing it is. Those that are interested in watches or know a little bit about them might spot it from across the room though. Even those who own presages and cocktail time can't help but ask to hold the watch and be reminded of the amazing level of microscopic craftsmanship this watch has... But perhaps that is it's downfall. It's such an embodiment of Japan that it's practically viewed the same way. Something so deeply modest and mundane but so quietly extraordinary. It's really hard to describe. If you can find a way to look at a cocktail time/presage in person, you might get a better idea of what I mean.
It's definitely an excellent piece to have in a collection. However, if this piece isn't your crown jewel, it might not get a lot of regular use (which for me kinda hurts my heart). It's far to elegant to be a daily driver IMO, but not necessarily showy enough to supplant a superior crown jewel. I wore the Cocktail time relatively regularly and consistently for years for nights out, weddings, company events etc. Only to see it collect dust when it was supplanted as my crown jewel by a single watch. I still only have that one watch above the Cocktail time and I have to force myself to give it a day in the sun from time to time. The cocktail time is still always impressive when I pick it up, but it is constantly an also ran to my JLM MCM Memovox for events/casual hang outs with friends and it also definitely doesn't meet the criteria as a casual nor beater watch (other dress watches and dive watches).
It even bugs me that the Orient Sun and Moon that I own that I would say is a lower tier than the cocktail time gets a little more time in the sun because it's a little flashier rather than quietly elegant. Again, the Cocktail time/Presage is a ridiculously amazing watch, but it will shine the best in a more intentional watch collection rather than a deep one. It isn't just higher end watches that will cause it to collect dust, even lower end daily drivers will do the same because it's still nice enough that you kinda want to protect it or not "wear it out" so to speak (double entendre).
But fck! I cannot end this post without saying again how awesome this watch is. I am meeting friends tonight at a park for a socially distant chat and I am for sure busting out the Cocktail time and giving it a day in the sun for sure!