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The concealed clockwork components were much more beautiful than the finished product to me. All that filigree, it’s too much. But then I’m not the target market for a $2.6 million dollar wristwatch.

Nor I.

I have a ten-year-old $130 Casio (would have been $80 without the titanium band). Solar powered. Sets itself. Matches WWV exactly, which isn't surprising, since WWVB is where it sets itself every morning.

What's that in complications? In complications per dollar? I know, I don't get the point ...

However, the Casio does require attention when changing timezones. Seiko has a new model that solves all of the above, including the timezone. It sets itself to GPS and thus knows where it is in addition to the exact time, so it can pick the proper timezone. Maybe I'll buy one, next time I experience an unexpected capital gain (but probably not, given all the other goodies out there — example).

I like watches, they’re the only thing approaching jewelry that I’m comfortable wearing, and I feel naked without one on my wrist. I have a couple of decent watches, starting with a basic Rolex in stainless bought years ago on the cheap from an estate sale. The crystal has minor scratches so it could benefit from a little restoration. Not in a position to do that right now, so that will have to wait. Other than that, I have an older TAG, a Citizen Ecodrive, two Movados from the nineties and several vintage eighties Swatch watches. Not a particularly grand assortment but decent, they please me.

The Apple Watch intrigues me, but I’m not yet entirely clear on the benefits of owning one. And, this is coming from an Apple guy from way back. I like the clean, well-proportioned simplicity of the design and a deceptive simplicity at that, which is an Apple hallmark. I suspect I’ll have one eventually.

I’m currently concerned about the apparent thickness of the case on this Apple Watch. It’s certainly no worse than anything else out there that is even roughly equivalent and quite a bit better than the vast majority, but how it looks on my wrist is a major consideration. The looks of it override the function, for me. That said, I admire that mesh band with magnetic clasp, whatever they called it, Milanese I think? I don’t own anything quite like that, have several already with stainless link band, several with a leather band and several with functional inexpensive bands. So, from my point of view, that would be the one. Stainless is fine for this as well, I’ve never worn yellow gold, let alone rose gold, therefore I wouldn’t need to go into the top of the line. Would be looking at $4-500 dollar range as best I can tell. Not cheap but not so awful either.

I believe I have the same Casio watch. Just recently had to replace the wristband as it started to crack after 10 years of daily use. That’s the only maintenance it’s required. It will certainly last until the Apple watch is mature enough to consider replacing it 3-5 years down the road.

But the Patek Phillippe isn’t a watch, it’s a work of art in the form of a watch. It looks completely impractical as something you’d actually wear and use, even if your insurer would allow that.