Deployant Reacts: 5 Watches I Love but Would NEVER BUY

Last week, we did our inaugural “Deployant Reacts” series, featuring the marvellous Teddy Baldassarre and the sharp-looking Kirby Allison.

The previous article was rather well-received, and so, we thought we would like to react to another interesting timepiece-related video that we watched earlier this week.

The Video: 5 Watches I Love but Would NEVER BUY

This week’s video is from Britt Pearce, a watch-related content creator who is also known as the Watch Gringa. Britt is one of the few ladies in the heavily male-dominated watch scene, and that is something that we really do appreciate – especially with refreshing perspectives and thoughts from another angle.

In this particular video, Britt shares about some of her favoured timepieces that she will never buy. This is something that is very real. As watch enthusiasts, there are definitely many watches that we like. However, more often than not, we have decided not to pull the trigger, for numerous reasons (well, money is a key one). So, while we watch this video, we shall see what Britt’s thoughts on some of these watches are, and whether we share similar sentiments together as well.

Bvlgari Octo Finissimo

The first watch that was on Britt’s list is the magnificent Bvlgari Octo Finissimo.

Britt admits that the Octo Finissimo is a great watch, and it is thoroughly impressive with its slew of record-breaking ultra-thin watches. Her concern on this piece is that it sizes rather awkwardly on her wrist, which is likely due to the size of the watch. This is something that we agree with, as the Octo Finissimo is not exactly a timepiece that individuals with smaller wrists can pull off. Of course, when it fits well, the Octo Finissimo certainly looks brilliant.

This is an extremely good point – a watch may have great finishing and characteristics, and many may rave about it. However, one does not feel comfortable wearing it on the wrist, then all the other points are naturally moot. After all, watches are an extension of one’s personality, and how can one exactly showcase this when he or she does not feel comfortable wearing the watch on the wrist?

Vacheron Constantin Egérie

The next watch on the list is something that is not often mentioned. Cue the stunning Vacheron Constantin Egérie.

Britt started off by saying that the Egérie is one her favourite women’s watches, with its fluid design and pretty looks. The drawback for her is that for this collection, there are currently no watches in the range that are not fitted with diamonds. We guess perhaps that diamonds are not every woman’s best friend after all.

No doubt, many ladies are drawn to diamonds. However, watch manufacturers should also realise that many women are also discerning watch collectors in today’s market, and they are not necessarily attracted by diamonds alone. This group of collectors also emphasise a lot on designs, as well as the technical bits of the timepieces. Perhaps, it might be a good idea to introduce some of these watches without the diamonds and allow them to be priced more accessible to collectors as well. Then again, perhaps data analytics are painting a different picture altogether.

Rolex Sky-Dweller

The Rolex Sky-Dweller is an intriguing timepiece, with a rather clever and unusual interpretation of the annual calendar complication that is pretty much unlike any other watches that we have seen in the market.

Initially, Britt did not exactly have a thing for the Sky-Dweller, until a chance encounter with it (through a loaner from another content creator) changed her mind about this watch. However, the 42mm watch is still something that she is unable to overcome. The Sky-Dweller unfortunately wears a little too large, and its 14mm thickness did not exactly help the case as well.

The Sky-Dweller may have been more than a decade old, but it is still polarising to a certain extent. Some collectors like it, and some collectors do not adore the watch. Regardless, we have to say that this is a rather brilliant and creative interpretation of the complication, and that it is an extremely functional watch that is seemingly designed for the often-travelling business executives.

Panerai Luminor Due

The Luminor Due is an interesting addition to the iconic Luminor, with its 38mm case providing a more elegant touch as compared to the chunky and masculine watches that Panerai is often associated with.

As highlighted in Britt’s video, this is perhaps one of the first Panerai watches that she fell in love with. It is not difficult to see why, as she remarked that this watch features all the signatures of the Luminor and encapsulated into a rather agreeable 38mm case. Her qualm was that with the reduced case size, somehow there was a compromise with the water resistance of the timepiece as well (at 30m depth rating). She likened this, with a tongue-in-cheek analogy, to people who wear fake glasses just to look smart.

While we do agree that Panerai can do better here, we do not really see this as a huge dealbreaker. After all, its current water resistance level is good enough for most general users. Overall, the Luminor Due is a great watch, and one that most collectors can finally wear on their wrist comfortably.

Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M

If the Bvlgari Octo Finissimo and Sky-Dweller are considered to be large watches, then it is no surprise that a ginormous and intriguing timepiece such as the Omega Seamaster Ploprof will make it onto the list.

Make no mistake, the Omega Seamaster Ploprof is a sublime timepiece that is overly engineered and has a rather original design. However, the dealbreaker is the fact that this is an extremely large and chunky timepiece, with a dimension of 55mm x 48mm, as well as a thickness of a staggering 18.2mm. Even for most collectors, to say that it is a giant watch is perhaps an understatement.

Despite its size, the Ploprof is such a cool and desirable timepiece. There is just something about its aesthetics, and how special this watch is. If one can pull off this timepiece, we will highly recommend you to buy one – provided it is something that suits your style.

Concluding Thoughts

The five watches that were highlighted in the video are great timepieces, no doubt about that. After all, Britt did mention in the title that these are the watches that she loves, although they are not watches that she will buy.

In this video, Britt highlighted a very good point. Size is perhaps a key matter when it comes to watches. While a watch may possess some fantastic features, or they are highly recommended by many, these factors are pretty much insignificant if one cannot wear the watch comfortably on his or her wrist. A watch is meant to be worn, and if one buys a timepiece only to find that he or she is not wearing it on a regular basis, then one might want to reconsider if it is indeed a great timepiece for the individual in the first place.

We do hope that you have enjoyed this week’s article, as well as Britt’s video. Please let us know what are some of your favourite watches that you will not consider buying (and the reasons behind it), as well as the videos that you might want us to react to next, in the comments section below.