WHL
[VC Moderator]
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Thank you, Francois....
The JDN part of the journey was definitely notable. Though nothing is certain, it feels like it will be the only tourbillon I will ever own. One of the things I learned, and couldn't have known before I tried it, was that I am not 100% comfortable owning and wearing such a high value and rare piece.
I have also learned that I prefer great designs of simple watches to complications, as indicated by the list of other watches that I would like to possess in the future. The same applied to future VC's, as I would like the 1921, Patrimony Traditionnelle Self-winding (41 mm), and the upcoming Historiques 19**. ;-)
Bill
Looking back at my collecting history
There are many ways that one can come to collecting watches. I know some who have inherited the passion from their fathers. There are others who have learned about haute horlogerie from friends or colleagues, and more still have stumbled on it by a trip t...
Never ending journey... Your story is impressive.
By the number of the pièces which went into your hands, their beauty. And by some of your recent purchases, especially this black dialed " Les Historiques " Chronograph. A marvel. Didn't you regret some of those which have gone? Best, Nicolas
No regrets....
I have mostly enjoyed all the watches I have owned. Some I liked at the stores or in photos, but found them to disappoint a little as daily wearers (sometimes you can never know how you feel about a watch until you experience it for a longer period of tim...
That is true that the long term experience is the only one which allows you to
Know if a Watch is a keeper... Or not. Golden words. Best, Nicolas.
Love your journey!
Thanks for sharing with all the details and photos Bill! I enjoyed your post so much that I re-read it a few times and looked at the pictures again and again. It must be tough to have made some of those drastic decisions you did but with the new pieces yo...
Impressive and quite respectable indeed
Hi Bill, I must say that the range of watches you owned and enjoyed is quite impressive. The fact that you enjoyed them with a logic, and that you avoided the materialist side of our addiction as much as possible by giving them to the market is also a gre...
I remember that trip to Geneva in 2005 very well!
I had a great time there, and it was Alex show suggested that since I was coming in early that I go visit with Philippe Dufour, thus turning me on to independent watchmaking. My JDN is actually closer to you than me right now. If you find yourself in the ...
So we can fight over the next pocket watch to show up!
Thank you for the kind words on my article, Robin. I'm looking forward to seeing your your collection grows. Bill
What an incredible journey
Thanks for sharing this incredible journey. Your passion is contagious. I love your two Triple Calendars, and obviously the Mercator, but all in, an extremely well balanced and exquisite collection. Dean
Thank you, Dean.....
It's been a fun journey, that's for sure. I was very fond of those triple calendar watches, especially the one with moonphase, which along with the 33093 ultrathin were the smallest diameter watches I have owned. I've grown so accustomed to larger watches...
You've just proven a theory Bill
That there is no such thing as a "grail" watch, because as soon as we have it we want another! Your watch collecting history makes for a visual feast...especially those vintage V&Cs :-) Thanks for sharing
Amen!
There is no grail in this game. There are, however, a heck of a lot of watches I can't afford. :-) Bill
Makes me happy I played a role in your collecting scheme, Bill ;-)
Of course, you have had some really nice pieces in your collection butnI had no idea you had so much AP in you, some really cool APs there. All the best in your hunt and following purchases!
Looking forward to seeing you get back into the game
Thank you for your role in my collecting, Radek. You've had a number of fine watches come through your collection as well. It was obvious from the article that I liked the more classic Royal Oak designs. The Offshore models did and do nothing for me, whic...
Wow! Amazing
Thanks for this journey Bill. It's a really interesting read with some stunners along the way. I love your selection of Royal Oaks and Overseas, the UJ is lovely, and your vintage VC's beautiful. Good luck,with future choices.
Wow Bill, it is a superb post...
I loved to read your collecting history, your choices and of course to browse the pictures. Thanks and congrats! Fx
Thanks for taking the time to put this post together
I had no idea you had experienced so many different pieces. I wish I knew you a lot sooner! I would have gone for a few of those trades! Wonderful journey, may it continue! Best, Joe
Hi Joe.....
I credit you for asking me to compose this article. I heard that you were on the lookout for something vintage like I once owned. Good luck with the hunt! :-) Bill
What a journey
Wonderful choices... and dreams :) The Jean Daniel Nicolas story is maybe my favourite part, a bold move with a lot of patience and passion. Waht a fantastic piece of horology ! You have had everything of Vacheron iconic watches imho, ultra thin, triple d...
Thank you, Francois....
The JDN part of the journey was definitely notable. Though nothing is certain, it feels like it will be the only tourbillon I will ever own. One of the things I learned, and couldn't have known before I tried it, was that I am not 100% comfortable owning ...
Bill this is amazing!
Its funny how you can use this hobby as a marker for so many things in your life. You have chronologically described the purchases, the fun you have, the thought process, how the collecting changed and at which point in time. You could, I will bet, also i...
Hi Justin.....
I don't actually tend to purchase watches based on milestones in life. I collect because I really enjoy it. But you are right on about enjoying the community of collectors. Please let me know when you are back in Beantown! :-) Bill
Great post
Bill, Thank you for sharing your walk down memory lane. Your post made me reflect on my own purchases and bought a smile to my face when I thought of some of the old friends that have passed through my hands. HM
Fun read and many of these watches brought back good memories of
discussions about them :-)
Fun times!
It was a blast getting to know all about VC watches back in the early days of this forum. Bill
Thanks so much for your excellent post, Bill
I really enjoyed seeing your collection, past and present. Some really outstanding pieces! Best, Joseph
Thank you, Joseph....
I would love to see such a post from you (and others) at some point. There are a lot of outstanding watches that have come in and out of your collection. Bill
Wow, I need to catch my breath!
Awesome post, Bill! I was hoping you would do this kind of post some day. It is really interesting for me, still relatively new to watch collecting, to see your collecting history in timeline like this. You have owned some, well, many astounding pieces. I...
About the Overseas
It has been a great design for two generations, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it evolves in the future. Each model I have owned has been distinct for one reason or the other, so I don't consider myself to have revisited them. I liked the exact ove...