Glashutte Senator Navigator Perpetual Calendar

[daleyusof]

Guys,

I'm thinking of gettiing myself a pre-owned Glashutte Senator Navigator Perpetual Calender. Any feedback on that particular watch? Whether its troublesome to maintain, wheteher its reliable, whether its a good buy etc.?

Any advice guys? Josh2012, if you are there, I know you own it...

Thanking you guys in advance for the feedback.

Regards,
Dale 

[JOS2012]

hi dale,
Been awhile since we met over the sale of a watch. Have you been tracking me since you know I have a GO?   
I believe you just bought a watch from one of the merchants here, no ?.. a Rollie 

I tot you were gunning for a JLC Reverso Grande GMT.
Looks like you and I have the exact same taste in SOME watches in terms of brands & models... JLC, GO..

The GO Navigator Perp Calendar was my 2012 grail due to its relatively high cost (for me, that is). Was looking for a mint pre-owned but really hard to find. The ones available in US and Europe were selling at prices close to new and not knowing the service history is scary for a perpetual as its servicing cost is extremely high...(close to 5 figures I've been told)
The perpetual is considered a high complication, below a repeater, tourbillon, sidereal and remontoir...
So at the end I decided to buy it new with a 2 yr warranty.

So far mine has been excellent and trouble free but I rotate my watches daily so its only worn once a fortnight or so.  I hope I only need to service it in the next 8-10 years. By that time hopefully I'll be on a financial footing where cost will be bearable. Timekeeping is within COSC altho it is not COSC or DIN certified.

As far as perpetuals are concerned this is one of the most bang for the buck with in-house movement and  most visually balanced, hence very easy to read. I was considering between this GO, IWC Pilot Perp and JLC Perp. Note that not all perps are in-house as some are outsourced to 3rd parties like CC whereas some are modules (correct me if my info is wrong)

The IWC's dial looked way too busy and hard to read. To each his own. Some like busy dials. I prefer bauhaus or Zen philosophies.
As much as I love JLCs, its perpetual was way too formal looking in terms of case and dial which means I can't wear it with shorts and polos (my favourite de rigeur dressing on weekends)
Both IWC & JLC perps are 6 figures in cost.

Since I got the GO in March 2012, I've been very happy with it.
By the way the production of this is very low...mine is numbered 00xx although this watch was launched in 2010 and I only got mine in 2012.

Hope the above helps in your decision.

[daleyusof]

Thanks for the ever reliable and lengthy explaination Jos,

The GO Perpetual Calendar I was thinking of purchasing is an older version, ref no: 39-50-02-12-04, the Senator perpetual calendar actually. Since it's a really compicated watch, I thought i ask the expert that I know personally.

I am still targeting to get myself a JLC Reverso but since it's a manual winding, its not a priority for me for now as I'm just too lazy to wind it myself every 2 days. I have gotten a JLC Master Control Grande Ultra Thin. My collection has grown since the last time we met, now I have a PAM 132, an Omega PO, Epos Jumping Hour which I gotten from you and now i'm thinking of upgrading to either GO Perpetual Calendar or Lange & Sohne or a Classic Brequet which is very basic or entry level. I'm still thinking about it though..

[JOS2012]

Dear dale,

My advice for any high complication such as a perp calendar is to know the history of the servicing.
I do not know when the 39-50-02-12-04 was launched and how long the owner has used it and whether it was ever serviced by GO itself. I wouldn't trust any third party to service a high complication..

I know of collectors who dispose their high complications after several years as they don't want to incur the stratospheric costs of servicing.... 5 figures... Of coz they could also have tired of the look whenever newer models are launched..

BTW the JLC Reverso Grande GMT is 8-day PR hw..just wind it once every Sunday...
Good luck with your search..

Thanks for the ever reliable and lengthy explaination Jos,

The GO Perpetual Calendar I was thinking of purchasing is an older version, ref no: 39-50-02-12-04, the Senator perpetual calendar actually. Since it's a really compicated watch, I thought i ask the expert that I know personally.

I am still targeting to get myself a JLC Reverso but since it's a manual winding, its not a priority for me for now as I'm just too lazy to wind it myself every 2 days. I have gotten a JLC Master Control Grande Ultra Thin. My collection has grown since the last time we met, now I have a PAM 132, an Omega PO, Epos Jumping Hour which I gotten from you and now i'm thinking of upgrading to either GO Perpetual Calendar or Lange & Sohne or a Classic Brequet which is very basic or entry level. I'm still thinking about it though..

[daleyusof]

Thanks Joseph..