Cruise Ship 'Watches 101' Seminar Review
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Cruise Ship 'Watches 101' Seminar Review

By MichaelC · Mar 31, 2015 · 17 replies
MichaelC
WPS member · Horological Meandering forum
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MichaelC recounts his experience attending a 'Watches 101' seminar on a Caribbean cruise, offering a unique perspective on how luxury watches are presented to a general audience. His observations highlight the common misconceptions and simplified explanations often encountered outside dedicated horological circles, providing valuable insights for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

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Last week, I had the pleasure of taking a Caribbean cruise with my Family aboard a Carnival ship.  I had not been on a cruise ship in almost 15 years, and forgot how enjoyable it can be.  I imagine we have a lot of members here who enjoy cruising.  For those who do not, or have not been, you will find that there is an abundance of activities to suit all age groups and desires while on the ship.  It is interesting actually, in the past when talking about cruises with other friends who had not yet tried one, a common reaction is "I don't want to be stuck on a boat with little to do".  The truth is, you could not possibly attend every event if you wanted to, as so much is offered.  And modern cruise ships offer some amazing activities you might not expect to find at sea, such as ice rinks, water slides, bumper cars, wine and cigar bars, rope courses, zip lines, etc.  Theaters, lounges, restaurants, and casinos are standard fare.

Getting on topic for the HoMe Forum, my wife quickly spotted a "Watches 101" seminar to be held on our first full day at sea.  Naturally, I was inclined to attend smile

There was a decent turnout in the lounge to attend the show.  The gentleman who gave the presentation was from England and overall did a reasonable job, with a few exceptions.

The initial points covered the differences between quartz and mechanical movements.  Believe it or not, there were some oohs and aahs when Phil explained how mechanical movements work.  Certainly, some folks in the room assumed all watches ran on batteries.  There were a few factual mistakes I caught in the presentation, the most offensive being that automatic winding was invented in the 1960s.

After going through additional basics such as strap types and case metals, Phil spoke a little about "complications".  This subject was actually limited to a single complication, the chronograph, dubbed as just a "stop watch" throughout the remarks.

At one point, he showed a slide of a skeletal watch, and described it as a piece "for the man who just wants to show off what he has".  Of course, I could not disagree more on this point, but a few "mm hmms" from the crowd seemed to support the notion.





The conversation moved into how to purchase a watch, whether on board the ship or at one of the ports of call.  The highlighted brands included Tag Heuer, Breitling, Movado, Raymond Weil, Philip Stein, and Ernst Benz.

I was surprised to see a slide dedicated to Hublot and caught a quick photo.

Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin were all shown on a single slide and covered in 15 seconds.





One point to credit Phil on, he actually passed a few of his watches around the room for everyone to handle.  I could not help but think he should have opted for a ceramic bezeled Hublot, as his titanium Classic Fusion was in a rather distressed condition.





Throughout the presentation, I noticed he had on a Panerai.  When I introduced myself after the show, he gave me a good look at his recently acquired PAM372, a watch I am quite familiar with.





And he really enjoyed seeing my AP15202 up close.





Being on our forums almost every day since the start of thePuristS, you embrace we have a lot of passion and knowledge here in our Community.  Attending a "Watches 101" seminar on a cruise ship makes you understand that the general masses really have no idea about this incredible hobby we indulge.

After the show, I found my family and our friends from Colorado who joined us on the trip.  It was a great opportunity to answer their questions and discuss my interest in watches.  They handled the AP and were very interested to learn about it.

Be sure and share your interests in watches with friends and acquaintances.  You never know when you might discover a new Purist smile





About the Panerai Luminor 1950 3 Days Ref. PAM372

The Panerai PAM372 is a Luminor 1950 model that draws inspiration from historical Panerai designs, particularly those from the 1950s. It is distinguished by its clean, two-hand dial layout and the absence of a small seconds sub-dial, which emphasizes its vintage aesthetic. This reference was part of a series that aimed to reintroduce classic Panerai elements to a contemporary audience, focusing on simplicity and historical accuracy in its presentation. It represents a direct link to the brand's heritage, offering a less complicated display than many of its counterparts.

The watch features a 47mm polished steel case, characteristic of early Panerai models, fitted with a 3mm thick Plexiglass crystal. It houses the in-house developed manual-wind Calibre P.3000, which provides a substantial power reserve of three days. The movement is visible through a sapphire crystal case back, allowing for appreciation of its construction. The large crown guard, a signature Luminor feature, ensures water resistance and protects the winding crown.

For collectors, the PAM372 is notable for its faithful recreation of historical design cues, including the "sandwich" dial construction and the use of Plexiglass, which contributes to its vintage appeal. Its limited production run and adherence to traditional Panerai proportions make it a sought-after reference among enthusiasts who value the brand's origins. The watch appeals to those seeking a direct connection to Panerai's past without modern embellishments.

Specifications

Caliber
Calibre P.3000
Case
Polished Steel
Diameter
47mm
Dial
Black
Water Resist.
100m
Crystal
Plexiglass

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The Discussion
PA
patrick_y
Apr 1, 2015

I've got it! IGOTT 2016 should be on a cruise ship! Ziplining, rock climbing, skeet/trap shooting, etc. Lots to do! And presentations on a cruise ship! Do they have a go kart session?

PA
patrick_y
Apr 1, 2015

I've done one cruise once. A very inexpensive one from Miami to the Bahamas. It was a corporate "training" seminar. I think it'd be a good idea to do a cruise. Lots of drunk passengers at night though, night turns into Mardi Gras.

JR
jrwong23 (aka watchthebin)
Apr 1, 2015

Great post and I am sure you had a great time with your family. Next time you should do that talk lol! Agree - let\'s share our hobby with more people. I had friends who refused to buy a watch and then started buying more and more after they started knowing my hobby better hehe Cheers Robin

MI
MichaelC
Apr 1, 2015

If the next IGOTT is indeed held on a cruise ship we can arrange for multiple speakers every day! Thanks for reading the post.

MI
MichaelC
Apr 1, 2015

I have helped a few friends before but this time it was really special. And the woman asked most of the questions. I guess I will apologize to the husband when he finds out how expensive her new found interest can be ;-)

MI
MichaelC
Apr 1, 2015

Seriously, very reasonable to me!

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