Congrats on making this decision...It's good to be able to buy and have some regrets later. Honestly, we don’t need that many watches, right?

Mar 18, 2024,22:45 PM
 

The interest will always simmer down after waiting or ownership, just like any honeymoon 😅


After I got my 5270G, it seems like the fire in getting the next one has gone, which is a good thing imo.

I am curious what will the next AE be like, that will raise my heart beat. I do love their dials and colors...this is the first watch that made me settled for the 4:30pm date window.

That side by side photo by our member penfriend really struck me on which side looks better. Not that the AE is not good, but beauty is in the eyes of each  beholder.

 I have to look at PF seriously now, lol…and I have to blame you and myself for looking at your new PF post.

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Well, my hunt for salmon continues. I just passed on the AE XPS.

 
 By: MichaelC : March 18th, 2024-18:47
Dealer got mine in, ready to be delivered tomorrow. I could have had it a few days ago, but with a massive storm in Denver, I told my dealer to wait until today. I had my name on the watch long before the craze hit (since the day it debuted). I was happy ... 

Sorry this AE did not make your day. This one might be a kind of salmon

 
 By: hora12reborn : March 18th, 2024-19:01
you will not release back in the water😁 ...  

This one is indeed possible! My UN San Marco has a similar dial guilloche and I love it.

 
 By: MichaelC : March 18th, 2024-19:25
I am also OK with the smaller size, and here the movement fits the case much better.

I understand your decision, I have also gotten much more picky over the years ...

 
 By: als1678 : March 18th, 2024-19:04
If a small detail bothers you now, it will likely continue to bother you down the line. But because you mentioned Parmigiani and salmon, here is a photo of a special one ... The first revolution collaboration, before people even realized where parmigiani ...  

If only I could get this one at a decent price

 
 By: MichaelC : March 18th, 2024-19:26
It is very similar to the MR I have, except for the date, dial color, and complication of the rattrapante.

The MR is a gorgeous watch with very clever complication.

 
 By: als1678 : March 18th, 2024-23:49
It is a bit thicker, and no date window. But otherwise - yes, similar vibes.

Is the salmon dial PF yours?

 
 By: MichaelC : March 19th, 2024-00:29
I really love it. Congrats for that one, if so!!

Excellent. Probably the best micro-rotor so far.

 
 By: MichaelC : March 19th, 2024-02:47
That is a keeper for sure!

I share your sentiment fully

 
 By: penfriend : March 18th, 2024-19:19
I am in doubt myself… mainly for the bracelet ...  

Well exactly what I would have had! Your photo really confirms it for me.

 
 By: MichaelC : March 18th, 2024-19:30
After the brief honeymoon, I would not grab the Alpine Eagle over the Parmigiani or the Royal Oak. I had planned to pen a fantastic article comparing all 3 of these integrated bracelet steel monsters, but I know which one would have come in last. As for f... 

Thank you

 
 By: penfriend : March 18th, 2024-19:32
However, I have not finally decided on either. That will happen on Saturday when I can handle them again both…. But I am drawn to PF ;-)

If I can answer any questions, please feel free to message.

 
 By: MichaelC : March 18th, 2024-19:45
I can only tell you I am blown away with mine. I can go on and on about the unique complication, but even the basics - finishing, assembly, precision, feel on the wrist - all perfect. And for me so is the dial color, which as you know PF calls "sand". It ... 

that is very kind

 
 By: penfriend : March 18th, 2024-19:49
your posts have already given deep insight, many thanks!

In my younger years, I absolutely would have bought it.

 
 By: MichaelC : March 18th, 2024-19:34
That lack of discipline allowed many un-needed watches to pass through my hands over the years. I am quite a bit more picky lately. And still, this is a fantastic effort by Chopard, and I will remain very pleased that MANY of our members are head over hee... 

If you dont feel 100% passionate about it you did right to pass Michael. There will be other options I am sure to feel your needs :-))

 
 By: Chronometer (aka yacomino) : March 18th, 2024-19:34
Personally I do love the XPS very much but I dont have in my collection the other one you can enjoy like your new PF or the Royal Oak.

This one ended up being more about the hunt.

 
 By: MichaelC : March 18th, 2024-19:40
I'm comfortable with the decision, and as I posted above, finally wise enough to know ahead of making a bad purchase. But I will still love seeing all the photos here.

Wise decision then. I hope to be as wise as you for my next purchases!

 
 By: Chronometer (aka yacomino) : March 18th, 2024-19:43
So far so good in the past 12 months addition all proving to be good ones, but this was not always the case for me :-((

Me neither. But I am definitely better of late.

 
 By: MichaelC : March 18th, 2024-19:48
Undeniably, this is a great piece. And the dial pattern and color look awesome in photos. Surely it would have been enjoyed. But my gut told me it would not be a lifer. At this point, I only want those kinds of pieces.

+1 well said

 
 By: SALMANPK : March 18th, 2024-21:34

+2

 
 By: Chronometer (aka yacomino) : March 18th, 2024-21:40

Thank you my Friend.

 
 By: MichaelC : March 18th, 2024-22:51
You of course understand the journey so well.

With some costly mistake along the way ☺️

 
 By: Chronometer (aka yacomino) : March 18th, 2024-22:53

Been there, done that!

 
 By: MichaelC : March 18th, 2024-23:15

There is fun to be had in moving in and out of things

 
 By: MichaelC : March 18th, 2024-22:53
Some of learning what you really want comes from trying things after all. In this hobby, you just need to be careful, if losing $ is a concern.

For about 1 year I have wanted and expected to have this watch.

 
 By: MichaelC : March 18th, 2024-22:55
And finally at the end, it's a pass. Certainly a great timepiece created by Chopard, but not a MichaelC timepiece, it turns out.

Yes.

 
 By: MichaelC : March 19th, 2024-13:18
3 black watches w it, the Survivor, and the Tudor. An area to thin.

Brilliant post! Feeling at exactly the same place in my horological journey

 
 By: agyzace : March 18th, 2024-22:16
I only purchase watches that I can be convinced they represent my true inner horological self. There are many great watches that do not fit that bill and I pass them, even if they are objectively great

Thank you. I probably could have made it on the HoMe Forum.

 
 By: MichaelC : March 18th, 2024-22:59
I really have set goals of reducing the number of pieces I have, and going in a more simple direction with new acquisitions. I feel this Chopard fits well into the 2nd goal. Just an outstanding, time only watch. But I don't want to buy a new piece that en... 

Fully aligned with the reasoning

 
 By: agyzace : March 19th, 2024-06:52
I think in the same way since some 5-6 years now

Congrats on making this decision...It's good to be able to buy and have some regrets later. Honestly, we don’t need that many watches, right?

 
 By: Clueless_Collector : March 18th, 2024-22:45
The interest will always simmer down after waiting or ownership, just like any honeymoon 😅 After I got my 5270G, it seems like the fire in getting the next one has gone, which is a good thing imo. I am curious what will the next AE be like, that will rais... 

It is always a feeling of pride when a fellow member blames another!

 
 By: MichaelC : March 18th, 2024-23:07
So I say thank you, Sir ;-) I will also keep my eyes fully on Chopard. I really like this brand, and there is no rush for me to get the right one. As far as the PF Minute Rattrapante, I can openly say it will be a lifer. Clearly, it is already making me r... 

This post is as important and educational as "I got the call"..

 
 By: MilDiver : March 19th, 2024-08:21
I can totally share your feelings and thoughts. I even wrote Mr.C asking for a "special" brushed finished bracelet, offering to pay for an extra bracelet . Being able to identify those points, and say no, is quite an acquired horological expertise by itse... 

Thank you. I believe I have a great solution for the bracelet design.

 
 By: MichaelC : March 19th, 2024-13:21
I had been waiting for mine to arrive to complete a sketch. But I can do it without the watch in hand. In my head, my design is vastly superior to Chopard's! 😆

I don't think the XPS is as handsome as the standard AE

 
 By: jaspermccrea : March 19th, 2024-11:48
.. but maybe no one else thinks that :/

What I was most excited for was the feel on the wrist.

 
 By: MichaelC : March 19th, 2024-13:22
I would wager that is the greatest aspect of the XPS.

I can attest to that...

 
 By: India Whiskey Charlie : March 19th, 2024-14:08
Admittedly, I am not a fan of bracelets in general. I was never comfortable wearing most other brands until I got the XPS. By removing one link and installing a 1.5 link, the watch felt light and super comfy. I didn't want to take it off for weeks...😉 ...  

I was positive the feel would be great. Alas, if I don't love the details, that does not matter.

 
 By: MichaelC : March 19th, 2024-15:07
Your photo is superb. As I posted above, I am very happy for those who love it. I am fortunate to feel that way about multiple others I have.

Clearly, it's a subjective view...

 
 By: India Whiskey Charlie : March 19th, 2024-14:04
But to me the XPS is more proportionally balanced with a thinner bezel, a thinner case and no date. The only thing I would have wished they did is maybe make the Roman numerals ever so slightly smaller and a central seconds hand instead of the sub dial. ...  

I like the thicker bezel ...

 
 By: jaspermccrea : March 19th, 2024-14:29
but I strongly agree about the centre seconds. I think maybe you're right about the markers - perhaps the 8HF route of keeping XII and making III. VI and IX as single sticks might have been nice. I haven't tried on the XPS, but the regular AE is under 10m... 

The XPS is 8.2 mm thick while the regular AE is 9.7 mm thick

 
 By: India Whiskey Charlie : March 19th, 2024-14:40
That may not seem as much of a difference but on the wrist it is... ...  

Could not agree more. I guess it is the same with Royal Oak.

 
 By: MichaelC : March 19th, 2024-15:12
One is perfect (39mm Jumbo) and all others fall in line to one degree or another. But definitely not the same. I would say the difference with these Chopards is larger. Same diameter cases? Everything about the other dimensions on the XPS are better.