[TheNaabe]

If you had to choose, would you go for the watch with the best complication or the one with the best decoration?

Curious to see what you guys prefer...

I think these 2 brands are great examples where there is an apparent "trade-off"

Habring[SUP]2[/SUP] vs. DD&S

 

[Ayoungentrepreneur]

If you had to choose

Prefer not to find myself in such a position

That said, complications over decorations every day of the week and twice on Sunday as long as there is no difference in reliability.

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[imaCoolRobot]

Decoration.
I get a mechanical watch because it is pretty.
If I needed more than the time (and possibly date) I’ll just use one of those wristcomputers from Casio.

 

[sticky]

TBH I’ve never really thought about it until now. I’m a complications type voter.

 

[yvrclimber]

I'd vote complications but I still like a pretty watch. When I'm hunting if definitely seek specific complications. Moonphase, réserve de marche, Chronograph, etc


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[TheWalrus]

I say neither. Simple and (relatively) unadorned. Like Rolex - if you want to spend a lot of money. Or my own Seiko SKX if you want to spend a lot less. Printed dials. Matte finishes. Simple straps. Not a lot of different angles or grinds.... Simple, form follows function design.

 

[Tommywine0]

I still find undecorated movements mesmerizing, so complications for me.

 

[drhr]

Decoration, only because I don't much care for complications in general . .

 

[brandon\]

I prefer decorated complications. And complicated decorations.

 

[Sea-Dog]

Neither for me. I appreciate decorations and complications for the culture and craftmanship, but the watches I'm most attached to are classic tool or dive watches. We are looking for a bit of ourselves in timepieces, or what we want to be. So right now, I'd like to think I'm a bit like a Seiko SKX.

And by that I don't mean easy, run off the mill and a bit antiquated

 

[VicLeChic]

Decoration.

Really not a fan of complications at all, I much prefer simplicity in a dial and movement (more robust and easier to service).

I do appreciate a decorated movement especially in a.fine dress watch.

 

[bank222]

You only live once! Get both! lol

But in all seriousness, if I could only choose one, I would probably go with complications as decoration is not as apparent. I would not want to have 10 chronographs all decorated differently...Would rather have various complications. Kind of like cars I guess. Would prefer to have a sports car, SUV, Jeep, etc. Versus 10 sports cars just with different colors.

Great question!

 

[Th!nkEr]

decorations

 

[AlaskaJohnboy]

I would ideally like one of each kind of watch complication.
Preferably in a different color so I have all the colors, for different clothes, and different complications for different activities.
Sooooooo a little bit of both worlds?

Now deciding on an odd display of the hour hand versus a moon phase....

 

[osamu]

I voted for decoration, even though i don't really care too much about either. Given the choice between similarly priced watches, one a chronograph/moonphase/annual calendar, one just a simple beautiful 3 hander.... I'm taking the 3 hander all day. I appreciate the intricacy of some complications, but most I would not be willing to pay a premium for.

Too many useless complications, or many which actually would turn me away from buying a watch. I feel like I would be so scared to have to reset a perpetual calendar, I would never actually enjoy wearing one. Tourbillon? just something going to cost me a fortune to service in the future; minute repeater? no thanks; moonphase? how do you even set a moonphase?

The only caveat would be at the very basic end of the spectrum. Like would I rather have a date or a clear case back? I'll take a date. Or a seconds hand or some geneva stripes... I'll take the seconds hand. But I don't think the very basic "complications" was the point of the question.

 

[TheNaabe]

Hmm, interesting to hear all your opinions!

As for me, I "prioritize" certain complications and decoration techniques. For example, I love power reserve indicators and dates (especially big dates). If a watch has both a PR indicator and date function (but is rather lackluster on the decoration), then it could float on my boat. On the other hand, I think engraving on movements (especially on balance bridges) is spectacular.

So clearly, there's an ideal watch: one with a PR indicator, big date (or just regular date), and engraving in the movement. Hence my love for Lange, haha.

I think this is a neat question to bring up because it really speaks to your taste in watches.

 

[cedargrove]

I'm not sure I understand your example - between the Habring and the Dornbluth, which is the complication and which is the decoration?

You show the Dornbluth 99.2 which has a power reserve and quattro arret, so two more complications than the Habring, but is also more decorated.

 

[TheNaabe]

I'm not sure I understand your example - between the Habring and the Dornbluth, which is the complication and which is the decoration?

You show the Dornbluth 99.2 which has a power reserve and quattro arret, so two more complications than the Habring, but is also more decorated.

You might not be looking deeply enough!

I compare the two because the two brands have pieces around the $3K to $10K range. Whereas Habring is known for his mastery at complications (think deadbeat seconds + foudrayante), Dornbluth is much better known for his dressier, more-decorated pieces. Sure, the 99.2 has more complications, but quality > quantity. You don't see Dornbluth rattrapantes, minute repeaters, etc., yet his decoration is stunning. On the other hand, you have to admit Habring's watches are rather industrial-looking.

Is that clearer?

 

[Cobia]

I only buy watches i like the look of, so no i wouldnt buy a watch that had certain complications if i didnt really like the overall look.
Same goes for movement, i wouldnt buy a watch i wasnt blown away by just for a movement.

 

[k.lange]

I vote for decoration. I've always been just blown away by highly decorated watches. Complications are nice, but few that I find interesting and most rather unattractive.


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