Mostel
4291
My thoughts...
Aug 04, 2013,20:40 PM
I appreciate very much the replies to my comment. I was not imagining it would be so provocative, quite honestly. Well, to get to my response:
The Observatoire itself could probably not be a finer watch, in any way. I would never speak a word of that sort of criticism 'against' Kari.
I discovered that, in the metal, I did not love tear drop lugs. I did not love the case in general, to my complete surprise. It did not grow on me. I did not like the way the strap and the case came together. the strap seemed 'too small' and almost feminine. Yet it was the correct size and fit me well. The way the watch sat on my wrist was --again, to my shock, not really love-inducing.
These are entirely personal observations, and have nothing to do with execution.
Even the hands, which, in pictures, made my heart ache with passionate lust, left me sort of shrugging... I just did not really love them in person.
The dial, hands, and case, just did not make a whole picture that fanned the flames for me, in person.
I will say this, though. To my eye, as fine and exceptional as the Observatoire's movement is, it never held a candle to my Simplicity--visually.
This surprised me. It was really night and day, to my eyes.
And when I put them side by side, I was frankly a little disappointed.
Over the months, I took time to appreciate the Kari for its own merits, and it revealed itself to be absolutely beyond words, in terms of execution and attention to extreme detail.
yet, side by side, again... for myself... there is just no comparison... BUT what if I never owned a Dufour? Who knows.
I have read a few reviews in which the poster will say, of these two watchmakers, 'how can you choose? Lambo vs. Ferrari, etc...' Or these sort of comments.
But to me, it was an immediate preference, and it did not 'feel' like an opinion, but a fact, to me.
The Simplicity is just... 'a whole other world.'
I do not mean to start a new Kari/ Dufour supremacy thread.
I am only answering the question 'why' for myself.
I think, in the final analysis, this night and day difference, as I saw it, may have set a tone of disappointment along with certain design features...
And then... I never quite recovered... if you will.
I feel silly offering these comments, as I am 'only' a collector, and these men do the artist's work.
So I offer these words with a lot of humility, and please take them for what they are worth.
I do feel that a watchmaker should have a somewhat restrictive vision, and should stay close to it. That's jus me.
I am not a fan of a lot of decoration in general.
I appreciate that Breguet's treasures can be traced to Napoleon, etc, but who could say no to Napoleon?!
Kari CAN say no to another wealthy businessman. However, I understand it is not his temperament to do so.
Let us also not forget that Dufour made a PINK, diamond encrusted Simplicity! ACK! And he even 'ruined' the perfect limit of 200 by making that pink watch number 201! Thanks a lot! Talk about pure and restrictive? Ya can't win them all.
(I'm enjoying SS sport watches these days)
This message has been edited by Mostel on 2013-08-04 20:54:50