Does anybody have any information on the BMW-Oracle Team Watch? Specifically the 18th Man edition. I saw a few posts by Peter earlier this year - he seemed to indicate that this watch was very low production (~200) and not sold but given to sponsors, etc.

I have been offered one for sale but am not really sure of the specifics for this watch - was it ever offered through the AD's or was it only a special promo watch? Any idea on a reasonable value?

Thanks! BTW - I have a USA-71 and LOVE it

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G'Day,

as per guidelines, no discussions about prices/value/sources.
For this, it might be recommendable to add your email so folks can get in touch with you by private email.

As per the "Team Watch", i canīt confirm the number of 200 units.
GP is not exactly comfortable in spreading production totals, but you might be surprised itīs in fact a rare bird. In the world of GP, 200 pieces make for a large production batch

All "Team Watches" are given to crew members of the actual race team (pieces numbered 1-17 on the back) and friends of the race team and the sponsors (pieces bearing number "18" on the back).



These are not available by ADīs; maybe ordering a full set of Opera One to Opera Three might change the perspective, but in general the "Team Watch" isnīt available for the public.
The last iīve seen was on the wrist of Stefano Macaluso, who happens to be the son of GP owner Dr. Luigi Macaluso and in charge for the design of the BMW Oracle Racing pieces.

On the "Sea Hawk", you might noticed in the introduction (forum post of June 16, 2005) the "Team Watch" actually is different from the "USA-71" in that itīs a 40mm case with conventional bezel.
The 40mm pieces are uncommon, even the "regular" pieces and might be discontinued at some point. So itīs really different from regular offerings.

Iīd like to recommend having a closer look at this:



Sea Hawk Pro "GGYC"
Ref.: 49950-11-651-FK6A

Itīs a 44mm steel case and different from the Sea Hawk Pro in Titanium in many points. Quite an interesting model, i think.

Cheers,

Peter

Thanks Peter -- I added my email

Just to clarify -- I have a USA-71 and have a USA-87 on order

I have the opportunity to buy a BNIB BMW-ORACLE Team Watch. I have personally inspected the watch and it is just as shown in the pic (18th Man edition). It is not nearly as visually appealing to me as the USA-71 or USA-87 but I am intrigued by the history, etc. of the piece -- just don't really have much info to go on about it. My primary question is -- since Peter's post back in June '06 was this piece sold through the AD's or does it really remain more of an exclusive promotional item? If anyone would like to email their thoughts on a fair price for this piece I would appreciate it (I understand the posting rules about pricing and didn't intend to abuse them).

If anyone can be of assistance I would appreciate it

BTW -- here is my USA-71

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Thatīs a nice shot!
Now iīm curious - whatīs the carbon fibre background?

In terms of the "Team Watch", in fact these are promotional items only.
They are not for sale, but have been type of "giveaway" to very special customers on occasion.
These are Super-VIPīs or well known owners of multiple pieces in the six digit range, which naturally limits the number.
Most of the pieces went to personal friends of Girard-Perregaux or high-level key persons of the cooperating sponsors at BMW Oracle Racing.

So yes, they are pretty uncommon.
Maybe comparable to prototypes, which arenīt for sale either.

Cheers,

Peter

The composition is fantastic. I love the reflection on the carbon fiber winder, the depth and perspective, and of course...the USA-71 is my favorite watch. It would be interesting if there were somewhere to record our serial numbers on a USA-71 data base. I bet over a 1/4 of the owners frequent this site. Just a thought.

Thanks again,

Best Regards,

Kevin

Thanks for the pic compliments It was actually one of my first watch shot attempts -- the USA-71 inspired me I guess. As I told someone else that asked -- the carbon fiber is either the top of my new BMW M6 or the top of a very nice 10 watch box I picked up on the Paneristi forum a few months ago -- can't remember which

Team Watch -- so if could pick up a BNIB 18th Man edition for roughly the same $ as a new PAM111 -- I could sleep soundly that I had an acceptable position in a watch for which there is no available MSRP and I have no idea what the resell value might be?

Here what the USA-71 looks like today I just love taking her picture ...
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M6? A very cool car indeed

If you donīt mind, iīd like to chip in a different perspective:





Thatīs a WW.TC (obviously ) and the so-called "Swiss Edition".
Only 50 units will be made and itīs special in that it comes with a grey dial and steel case (none of both are regularly available features).
Now the pictured piece is different from any other of that (small) edition, in that itīs a prototype and comes with a steel case of earlier design. The actual pieces will benefit from the latest improvements introduced in 2006.
So thereīs only this very one watch to be in existance.

Is it worth a premium, in case it would be available for sale (which it is not)?
Maybe so, if thereīs someone looking for an unique piece and so in love with it that he pays a premium, knowing the WW.TC is among GPīs most successfull individual models.
Maybe not, if the market doesnīt put out a premium at a given time/place/context.

The same could be asked with prototypes or unique pieces which are not part of a limited edition, such as the three-hands working model prototype with GP4500 caliber pictured earlier. Of this, only that one exists and thereīs not even a remotely similar model available for purchase.
Or other variants of the "Team Watch" (thereīs a really tiny run with a different dial, which are ultra-rare and in the hands of some very few assorted friends of Girard-Perregaux).

Long story short, in the end you really know only down the road.
And even in this, things tend to be depending on the specific piece, the place/region of sale, maybe the prior owner and the general interest in the brand who made it. All this is flexible and to my experience doesnīt allow for easy guesses on future developments. Otherwise weather forecast would be more exact

So my personal recommendation is always to buy it only when you like it and not if you regard it an "investment".
History (and iīm much more a "vintage watch guy") seems to suggest what is a slow seller today might be the ultra-hot sought after collectible tomorrow. There are plenty of examples, recent and not so recent. And there are example for the opposite, when seemingly "hot" stuff today is moving slow tomorrow.
Therefore, the best reward most probably is the fun it brings to you; if it makes you smile, itīs probably worth venturing into it. If it doesnīt speak to you that much, then iīd not go for it.
Just that iīd not try to decide coming from a "price/value" perspective, because thatīs depending on future developments really tough to determine.

In this, i tend to regard watches like cars; if they appreciate or hold value itīs fine, but itīs neither prerequisite nor a priority. Sure i have and had pieces that left me for less than i paid; thatīs the price of owning luxury items, while the smile they brought on my face is priceless and irreplacable.

Cheers,

Peter

Thanks Peter -- yes that is typically my perspective as well -- I just happened to come across this piece and my mind went in a different direction. I have previously never contemplated buying a watch for anything other than my own personal enjoyment.

BTW - love the grey dial on that watch

My pleasure

In the end, i think a piece of 40mm wonīt be too exciting on your wrist if youīre fine with the 42mm variant. Notwithstanding the background and rarity, the "Team Watch" is a smaller piece and personally i do like the bezel of the "USA-71" a lot more.
Things might be different if coming from a collection aspect; if youīre into the BMW Oracle Racing pieces and wish to have a complete set, then any of the "Team Watch" models certainly makes a nice addition.

So, hmm, strictly following subjective preferences iīd rather choose a larger sized model than a smaller one.
Hence my recommendation of the Sea Hawk Pro "GGYC", which i think you may like. These are going to be rare and not available everywhere. And iīm sure they will be tremendous fun on the wrist!

Cheers,

Peter

Dear Peter,

thanks for this very nice pic.
Though I understood this is a limited edition for the Swiss Market, do you know if
it exists (or will) with a Ti case?
Itīs just that my wrist isnīt especially loving the weight of this beautiful steel version!

Regards

André

Dear André,

the pleasure is on my side!

The "Swiss Edition" is available (respectively, was - lately only 3 or 4 are left unsold at the dealers) only in steel.
Iīm not aware of such a piece or something likely to come in the future.

Still you may find the 2006 cases interesting; the weight is less than earlier pieces, without loosing the substantial feel all WW.TC do have.
I find them more comfortable, even for my small wrist.

In terms of Titanium, iīd recommend to have a closer look at the "Berlin" edition.
Thereīs a couple of impressions in earlier posts; itīs not only rare (49 pieces, available in Germany only), but i find the colours to be subtle either and not as colourful as other TI variants.
But the best thing is the polished TI case; a wonderful smooth feeling when you touch it and a very special shine. It really makes a difference.

Cheers,

Peter

Many thanks for your answer and sugegstions.

Then I guess I will have to try the 2006 cases...

... or find somewhere this beautiful grey dial to have it installed on a Ti case!
(I know dreams are sometimes like miracles: there simply never happen!)

Cheers

Andre