Subexplorer
[Moderator - WristScan]
33394
Hello dear friend KM! A very challenging and thought provoking theme. As a matter of fact I have been thinking about this matter since I read your announcement.
Additionally you have set the bar very high with your choices and photography. Your choices were no surprise to me as these watches have come to be like a signature for you: superb watches which you have hunted for long time in some cases and all so close to your heart.
In thinking in my answer I could not forget that the present market of both vintage and modern watches has changed a lot since I started my journey as a collector not many years ago, say in 2008 when I could visit any Rolex AD and buy a Submariner, a GMT or even a steel Daytona and take it home in a single visit. By the other hand prices of vintage watches of the most popular brands have escalated to a level which puts them out of my reach now.
But as I was in love with watches since I was very very young and considering that I got my first serious watch in 1966 (a 5513 Submariner) I felt that should I be starting today I would do it with my four watches I already owned in 2008 : A 1680 Submariner bought in 1977, a Datejust Quartz bought around early 1980' s, My first Panerai Pam 111 bought in 2006 and the Explorer 1 I bought in 2008 to celebrate my 60th birthday and which started my journey as collector.
Most probably I would be much less greedy in this new life as a collector and would concentrate in Rolex, Omega and Panerai brands.
I will post my pictures in a few minutes.
Have a nice weekend my dear KM and all our friend here! Cheers! Abel
Submariner ref 1680 frim 1977
Datejust Quartz from the 1980’s
Pam 111 from 2006
Explorer 1 from 2008
| view and vote on the images
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The WS for the 22nd of April - ‘New Beginnings’ - is live
As announced yesterday the theme this weekend is New Beginnings. What I mean is for you to imagine a situation. Where you have all your current knowledge and experience of watches but not a single watch. What would you start your collection with in that c...
I suppose I will kick off the proceedings…
Of the collection was to start from scratch again I would definitely add the following straight away: I think the following would also make it in immediately… This one as soon as I could find it, so five or take six years later… 😂 Definitely this… And thi...
Hi KMII …
Interesting thoughts on your collection and the question of starting your collection from scratch. I also find it interesting that your first serious watch that started this was your Chopard.
It was…
My first post here, the first serious watch, and look at where it led to 😂🤷🏻♂️ I certainly have some regrets, too - not getting the Cartier CPCP 2396C, when offered by a dear friend for a fair price (today it’s more than 4x that), for one 🤷🏻♂️ Sure, bac...
Thanks for sharing this …
The Cartier is a very cool watch. Perhaps one day another opportunity will come along. As for values we have to look elsewhere as other options still exist.
You mean elsewhere in the watch world?
Most of those that I really desired (fortunately not all), have shot through the roof since last year 🤷🏻♂️
I thought judges could not compete? ;)))
But seriously, that Chopard is one cool looking watch! 👍
I do not quite…
Compete in the sense of the entries being considered in the competition, more as in setting the scene 😊👍🏻
And you have done a very good job at that! 👍👍
I will of course try to give it a go as this theme is really interesting!
Glad you like it!
Goes to show that a well proportioned 34mm watch works as well today as it always has 🙌🏻👌🏻👏🏻
Hello dear friend KM! A very challenging and thought provoking theme. As a matter of fact I have been thinking about this matter since I read your announcement.
Additionally you have set the bar very high with your choices and photography. Your choices were no surprise to me as these watches have come to be like a signature for you: superb watches which you have hunted for long time in some cases and all so close...
Thoughtful and informative …
A Rolex Submariner is definitely a great starting point for your collection and following it up with something from Omega and Panerai sounds like a good plan ! Less greedy… it’ll never happen ! Stay just the way you are my dear friend !
Thank you so much dear Captain for your kind comments. I guess I won´t be able to control my greediness my dear friend! Lol!! But I promise I try very hard! Lol!
I´m very happy with Omega brand. New products are usually available at their AD´s and Boutiques at announced prices and we are always well received by their representatives. Of course there are a few models made in very low quantities but in general you c...
What a fantastic quartet, Abel!
And with the possible exception of a dressy occasion you cover all the bases, and with pieces that would be sourceable even nowadays! And I fully understand what you’re saying by ‘less greedy’ 🙌🏻👌🏻👏🏻
Hi Abel! Love the
Vintage Sub with the diving instrument, the 70s style datejust quartz, and the Explorer in the lap of that exotic lady! 🍻
Hello, K !.. Just returned from travel, so apologies for no entry from me ths WE.. Let me just compliment you for a stimulating theme and..
.. I enjoy browsing through the entries.. - As far as it concerns of your own intro chip-ins, for me the VC and the Fly-back Chopard first, please. - But also your other choices are very well taken ( Minerva, Ming & Habring2 just to name a few).- To make ...
Thanks so much for the kind words 🙏🏻
Actually I have been traveling this weekend, too, so I fully understand you 😊
They were a feature of a nice, earlier period of horology…
The closest in terms of many areas nowadays are Habring IMHO
My 'high horology' collecting journey began....
in 2006 with one of the least expensive Speedmaster versions. It then proceeded to 2 TAGs - the Monza and Grand Carrera C.36, and the Longines Evidenza. This stretch of 'collecting' however ended in 2010 with the peak of the Great Recession looming, so I ...
Congratulations on restarting your collection …
I hope you achieve your collecting goals.
It's likely going to be....
the first one I buy next! Ideally, years down the line, I'd love to get one PP as well, but I'm not nearly as decisive on which one that may be as I am with the JLC/VC/Omega set........ (and also, I won't be spending $200K on a Patek LoL )
That’s a very precise plan and I suppose the experience of restarting the collection once probably contributed here 👌🏻
Hope all adorn your collection in a foreseeable period of time!
I´m happy to know you are restarting your collection again. You share a superb Amvox and I wish you will be able to reach the watches you have in your wish list. Interesting watches you mention.
No need to rush when collecting. Everything requires time... and stars alignment! Good luck in your collecting journey InHavenPro! Hagwe! Abel
Precisely,
The other ones hopefully won't take quite as long a time as this AMVOX has, those circumstances were truly one-of-a-kind, but I am in no particular rush, I have a couple of watches to enjoy, and when the 'stars align', I will make my subsequent purchases....
After putting my thinking cap on . . .
. . . a clear pattern emerged. A vintage collection would not be viable, as going that route requires time, education, and most importantly, reliable watchmakers and parts sources. No one coming in cold should attempt assembling a vintage-themed collectio...
Good call Art …
Firstly, I completely agree with you about the vintage route being exceptionally difficult to navigate without experience and specialist backup and second, I would definitely recommend a Speedmaster at a perfect foundation to starting a collection.
That’s a truly thoughtful one…
And not a piece I can disagree with - impeccable logic as always 😊
Love your thinking cap dear Art! Lol! Fantastic!! Agree with your thoughts about starting collecting vintage without the required experience. I committed the mistake of doing so and paid my toll.
An interesting choice for restarting collecting you share here. A Speedy is a fantastic number one always. The A386 is a dream for me but considering the present prices niche I feel it will remain just like this, a dream. Anyway I enjoy so much a present ...
Very interesting theme my friend,
You made me think hard about this . Not as easy as we think to start all over again but with the knowledge from now i would definitely jump straight into independent brands I guess. I started like almost all collectors with the big brands but nowadays i w...
Good choices and each one perfect for a serious collection …
Plenty more independents tii or add along the way.
That is also a discovery or point…
That I think some of us would jump to sooner if the collection started from scratch 😊
Anything but independents would have been a huge surprise from you 😉
And your final sentence very much resonates with me - many of my pieces now have an emotional significance and are tough to think of separating from. Starting from scratch I would most likely follow the less is more approach as well 😊👍🏻 And while all of y...
Well you're right. There is good reason for independend brands.
Some weeks ago I thought about this or similar. Nice case. But I was not sure. ...
I have my eye on a Cedric too for quite some time
Love that case design, different yet stylish. Also very still underrated . Lets both get one 😉🙏🏻
Still learning to pull the trigger
Hi Think a large number of what I have wouldn't change, but might be acquired differently. The key bit over learnt is that if it feels right then it probably is. So I'd aim to have fewer regrets about not buying stuff. These would still be on the roster R...
Yeah that was one of my quicker decisions ☺️!
Sort of learnt my lesson by then - but not entirely. Cheers JML
I guess even in the scenario described…
There would still be additional learning going forward 😊
No one said the collection would necessarily be smaller 😉
And it would have been a real shock if your answer didn’t entail an alarm or three 😂 What you are saying about acquiring pieces differently also resonates 👍🏻
Excellent choices dear JML! You´ll never have regrets with these purchases! I feel that in case of restarting a collection some alarm watches would always be included in your list!
Keep enjoying collecting and wearing your pieces my friend. Hagwe! Abel
If I were to start from scratch…
I guess these three would be a good start: Grandpa’s Omega: My (most) daily wearer: (with an accidental cyclops) And this: Some fantastic selections from others here as well. And I might have a new one in the next day or so… ...
A great selection…
And I simply love that accidental cyclops - always keeping a tongue in cheek is part of the journey, too 😁
Thanks!
The accidental cyclops really was an accident. I sat down after doing a few things in the kitchen and there it was. I thought it would make an interesting picture 😁. Cheers!
Awesome cyclops Explorer 1 shot! You really surprised me! It really looks like a date Explorer! That´s a great choice for a daily wearer. As a matter of fact mine has been on my wrist...
... during these last days. Of course your Grandpa´s Omega is a must in case of restarting a collection!! Have a nice weekend! Abel
Thank you so much. Not bad without the cyclops either.
The Explorer is a very easy watch to wear — practical but still interesting. And it wears its scratches well. Might have something new next weekend. And yes this forum, especially a couple of members, is/are to blame 😉.
My pleasure RabidManatee. Yes, not bad but in my personal view I still prefer it without date as it was and still is. Agree with your comments on this great watch.
Look forward to view your new catch! Agree with you that this Forum is inspirational! Lol! Cheers, Abel
Dear KMII, great theme this week-end and as i was thinking about it i remembered: wait a minute, i actually pressed the reset button about 18 months ago and went through this process!
Luckily for me most of the new acquisitions since then i would buy again should I have to start from scratch again today. Maybe with the difference i may not be getting them in the same order and in specific for the watches not yet in my current collectio...
Thanks for reminding me about the Traditionelle, Y . . .
. . . which I could easily swap in . . . . . . for the GS that's on my list. I hate to use the term 'killer' in the context of VC, but killer it is! Art ...
Now that’s interesting…
Wasn’t aware you pressed the reset button 18 months ago. The choices are superb and very understandable - I see in many ways our tastes align 😊 Good luck in securing the ones you are still hunting 👌🏻🤞🏻
Indeed I literally ended up selling every single watch I had bought from 2 to 5 years ago. Way to many hit and miss as you can imagine.
The only good thing coming out of it is now I seem to know better what I like on my wrist. Interesting indeed we share similar tastes! 😁. I wanted to have both sports and dressy watch. This year I am focusing more on the 38-40 time only watch that could w...
Dear KMII, thank you for hosting this weekend's Wristscan and with such an interesting theme
if i were to start my collecting journey afresh, i would start my focus on the simple, not too big, time and date (no date is also fine) watches as reflected in my recent purchases... have a great weekend everyone! ...
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