AuHavrePro shares an intensely personal horological journey, culminating in the acquisition of a Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOXII Le Mans 'Dark'. This article delves into the decade-long pursuit of a grail watch, offering a unique perspective on the emotional connection collectors form with specific timepieces. AuHavrePro's narrative highlights the enduring appeal of the AMVOX line and the satisfaction of finally owning a long-desired reference.
Purist stalwarts will likely remember my wholesome obsession with the then newly released AMVOXII line at the beginning of 2010, when I first joined this community (even my profile 'handle' was initially AMVOX). I was totally obsessed, borderline 'crazy' about this sequel to the already excellent AMVOXI. The problem was, the Great Recession had just set-in, and a long-haul recovery was yet to follow. Me, having had come out of grad school in 2009, had just about zero chance for any foreseeably gainful employment, so my high-horology expenditures were, dutifully, placed on an indefinite hold........ Fast forward 11 whole years, and the chance of a lifetime came-up when a Frenchmen who had purchased the exact AMVOXII version I had so lusted after (either the 'Light' or the 'Dark' dial, PVD case Le Mans) in 2011 for his 40th birthday, advertised it for a very reasonable price on Chrono24. I didn't 'bat an eyelash', but proceeded to immediately make an offer which was promptly accepted by him. Lo-and-behold, the watch arrived today in just as great a shape as the listing pictures indicated
. Needless to say, I felt 'over the Moon', filled with both a measure of extreme joy, as well as incredulity that I finally had
it on my wrist.
This is a timepiece that I, subjectively, think of as the greatest sports watch ever made. It ties absolutely everything I love about the art of watchmaking, sports cars (Astons were always my favorite), industrial design, even down to the detailed color schemes (black, orange and white for the win)!!!! I read and re-read all of Nicolas' posts on all things AMVOX, as well as posts from a few other members like Elliot who adore this watch to no end, and whose sentiments I vociferously echoed in the comment sections attached to their threads........ Well, today and forever, I am now a profusely proud owner of a Le Mans AMVOXII. One of my dream watches, number 64 of 100 ever made. I only had enough time to snap two quick wristshots before nighttime, and I have to get up before dawn tomorrow for work, so I can only share those two improvised shots below, I will make sure to take several more particularly deliberate photographs during the course of the weekend and add them to this thread below
.
Thank you for following my 'odyssey', it has truly been, least to say, an adventure. A wholehearted burst of gratitude to Nicolas without whom I would likely not have developed such an incurable obsession, and who even helped me, to an extent, with reaching out to the seller and closing the transaction. Vlad, merci .
Les reves se realisent! <3
Coincidentally, wearing my entropy curve T-shirt (thanks Dr. Carroll), with the time value showing above my hand
Natural light all the way, reflections be damned
