Lifestyle
Small-luxury-world initiates a thought-provoking discussion inspired by a Porsche article, asking collectors whether they prefer to keep their watches 'stock' or 'hotrod' them with personal flair. This article explores the nuanced perspectives within the watch community on customization, originality, and the emotional connection to luxury timepieces.
A few days ago I was reading an article from Martin Walker – the famous Porsche guy you may have heard about:
Make it the best I can with my own personal flair ...
STOCK VS HOTROD…
The question often gets asked, do I keep it stock or hotrod the car.
Like all Porsche questions there is never one straight answer & this one has lots of variables. Back in the good old days when early 64-73 911s were just another old Porsche the modification choice was perhaps a bit easier.
Fancy a slant nose wide body conversation Miami Vice style in white? No problem let’s find the oldest cheapest car possible to be the donor, how about that 65-911 in the auto trader for $1500 –that will work right?
Today things are a little different-that 65-911 hiding under a 80s wide body slant nose conversation is a highly desirable car…
How times, trends & styles have changed ...
Now I hear that the purists have always been
around & rightly have their place in the PORSCHE world, but what about the
guys that want a little more performance & something a bit different,
…
My goal is just to build what I like, enjoy the process, have some fun incorporate a few R & ST details into the car along with some back dated early SWB bits such as wipers, chrome faced gauge bezels, window cranks, add some sport purpose racy bits such as bucket seats, roll bar,5 point harness ,drill some holes in the door handles add some louvers, drill more holes where ever possible ,add some lightness & make it the best I can with my own personal flair …
So what about my car now that it’s finished-its white & has a wide body. Did I de value the car or is it more valuable as I hotrod? …
Only Time will tell …
At the end of the day the choice is all down to the individual & personal preference. If other people like it ...Well that’s great also. …
OK, that´s about cars but it brought up again some thoughts about watch “projects” which I still have in mind – from time to time.
In my case it would be: Make it the best, but with personal flair ...
Take one of the most interesting/best movements you can find (new, NOS or even used), work on it (finishing, minor or major changes …) and put it in another case. There are quite a few examples available (e.g. De Bethune, Kari Voutilainen, George Daniels … - most of them from independents) and some of them are superb, without doubt.
We also know watches from AP, Rolex and others, which have been pimped by “specialists” – e.g. blackened, different dials/indexes. Those kind of projects I don´t have in mind!
What I have in mind is you choose a watch that is almost perfect for you and add some details you would like to improve.
Some examples:
“Far from any marketing fears I finally decided to have my RO changed into my personal dream watch. … The rotor is (was) taken from the standard version of the caliber 2121 (and 2120) and in my view much more adequate to the plain design.”
· A few owners of a PP 3970 asked for the dial of a 5004 and some got it changed officially – probably not all of them.
· Quite a lot of companies still offer or have offered (some policies changed) some kind of customization like different metal case, different colour of dial, different hands, personal rotor, personal engraving and so on.
· …
Let´s go one or two step(s) further. What is if you ask (someone who qualifies to do it) to change parts of the movement, e.g. a different balance wheel, added complication? What is if you ask for a better/more sophisticated finishing? I guess most of the companies won´t do it (even for valued customers), but it may be possible to find an independent watchmaker who is interested in such a project.
In the automotive example from above, quite a few people love what Martin Walker and others are doing and the prices are getting crazy for those kinds of cars – at least for the good ones. Of course there are still some purists who hate what they are doing, especially when we talk about (rare) vintage cars.
Imagine I would take a PP 5711 for such a project. Good or bad? If good, what is about a PP 3700 as a base for such a project? …
What are your thoughts regarding those kind of changes? Which kind of similar projects do you have in mind?
Looking forward to your thoughts!
Oliver
It probably isn't possible for a car, but with a watch you can do a lot while retaining the option to return the watch to the status quo ante. I have replaced hands (or had them painted with removable paint) and swapped out dials. I am currently contemplating a bezel insert project. However, I would not do anything that could not be undone.
Replace the OEM bracelet/strap of all watches that I own. Even with this simple change my friends here use to say that "I adulterated the watch"! I don't care because I like to wear something with my personal style on it. Maybe one day I will do a project, just to see how it will look. Cheers, Nilo
.... for the "stop second at zero and minute hand to just" function for all my pieces :-) And, then, ask a watchmaker who is obsessed with accuracy no matter how old the watch is to regulate all of them... :-)) Just my wish! Ken
regarding your great topic is what our dear friend Mo did with his DB25L Honestly I'm still very jealous that he did it before me :) to be inovative and not copy cat I would in my dreams (wet ones) :) :) customize GP Jackpot tourbillon to have unique combination of icons on slot machine and/or Opera 3 to play Anthem of my country and Riders on the storm by Doors Yes I'm crazy Thank you :) Sincerely Damjan
there are many ways to collect watches,and within one s collection there are many approaches.... 1)THE SAFE WATCHES:watches that you like a lot,mainly from big brands,watches that you try to buy as best as possible and that will retain a certain value. No matter how careless of value you are,and no matter how much you just buy for yourself,there is always a little sensible voice in your head that tells you to rationalise your purchases in case....in case you want to sell. Personally I like to mi
...credit where it due my dear friend credit where it due..that was move of century for me Still greenish around ears :) Yours Damjan
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