WristScan

... one of my absolute favorite is this - GP Observatory Chronometer HF with cal. 32A. Why? Okay, the story behind this particular model and piece are: 1. There are only TWO brands who sold the watches to the general public with the movements in them whic...  

. . . as though they were almost children, Ken - they're all favored, just appreciated in different ways. I might identify to a greater extent with the G O Karrées, but of all the stories behind my watches, none comes close to the legend of . . . . . . th...  

. . . but easily the most amazing story behind any of my watches. Black Connie has a background, too, which has been told a few times, but not nearly as interesting.

and expected choice Sincerely yours D

. . . occurred to you, Damjan. Worshipful Anderson began his year of service as Grand Master of California during the first or second week of October 1957, the same time frame of my birth in Los Angeles. It's very difficult to escape the notion that I sha... 

is connected in my humble opinion dear Art only connections are unknown or in words of one Donald Rumsfeld "There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don't kno... 

... I am speechless..... Would love to see it in person next time we meet.... Thanks for sharing. Ken

.. the sea, the sky, the shallow horizon, the light, "Da Man" AND this wonderful SM DeLuxe ! This shot, for any photo exhibition !... my best & HAGWE ! hs

.. I needed to say that: next to a perfect shot, your post with this full, amazing story is almost incredible; - coincidences, which more are fate.. surpass the mere "thing" in a watch !.. Best, always hs

. . . before uncovering the identity of its original owner. Had I not had the benefit of the internet, the incredible coincidence would never have come to light. A lot of collectors tend to devalue watches with inscriptions. At one time, I did. No more . ... 

... but no doubt got one of the most amazing history behind I ever read! I can completely understand your love for this piece in your collection! Thanks you for sharing with us this awesome story! I re read it again, with the same exciting feeling as when... 

. . . my quarter repeater, Abel: a quarter of a century passed from the time I met Leo to the day I stumbled onto his watch! Art

... long time and in good health my friend! All the best, Abel.

And a very special one at that! :) I am somewhat embarrassed to tell you that my choice will not be a Girard-Perregaux.... HAGWE Blomman

... any watch and a story is worth to share here! Ken

It is impossible to choose only ONE favorite. Or even only one theme....... But one watch I am 100% certain will be one of my very last watches to go.... .... you all know very well ! The story? Well, this was my first real vintage Grail... .... and you a...  

. . . just came back from the watchmaker last week, blomman. Presently waiting for a good opportunity to take some fresh snaps of the '46 Ω Chronomètre in conducive outdoor light.

Your Grail. Sounds very interesting! :) Here is a document from 1947 talking about the 1946 Chronometre... Best Blomman ...  

.. well, that is a nice one! Ken

.. your first picture is really great: sky, sea, this marvel-watch and the mood it conveys !! - what a nice weekend shot ! All my best & HAGWE, hs

A typical Swedish countryside view! :) Thank you, my friend! All the best to you and yours. Blomman

As most of you know the LLD spends +75% of it's time at my wrist ... be it for (few) formal stuff, driving around and leisure, visiting clients and even as a tool watch working in with metal pieces one or two days a week. HAGWE Metal-Bim ...  

.... I would like to wear it like that, if I had one.... Thanks! Ken

a LLD without thinking of you, my friend! :) Cool shot! Best Blomman

It could have been the Freak, but my first Uylsse Nardin was another Watch, the Sonata. A watch I immediately fell in love with. I went to visit one of my friends, who was an UN AD in Paris, and asked him if he could have one, just to see it, and to hear ...  

... as you say maybe the Freak or the MMR ... but having handled your Sonata in the flesh makes it a tough choice :-) Bim

first time we meat my dear friend so funny thing is that same watch reminiscent same feelings in both of us "excitation, frenzy, happiness" " time which stops " - that's how I felt then Yours truly Damjan

.. and very envious one! Ken

Do them come in as kits which you then have to put together?;) Cheers my friend, very nice watch! I need to see it in the flesh...next time;) Francois from Down Under

... it has to be rare to hear these words from an AD: " Take it with you, we'll see after for the money. I am pretty sure you will not leave my shop without this one". But I wish this happened more often. It's a big risk, but they may just sell more watch... 

I think when you have a long time relation with an AD, he can do that. No need to say that I paid that Watch in 4 or 5 months. And that the Sonata was not, by far, the fist Watch I bought from him. Sadly, IWC bought his shop, to install their Boutique, so... 

But it is nice that you have transcended even the usual connection. Some dealers treat it as a business and for others it is a passion. I can understand why you bonded with your friend. Great story. Andrew

Watch business anymore. The surprising thing is that the relation was hyper smooth since the beginning, since our first deal. A great guy! Best, Nicolas.

And a fantastic watch - the King of all Alarm watches! :) Best, my friend Blomman

... your beloved 6542 or one of your FF, or may be your BC Tudor Sub. I was greatly and nicely surprised by your showing of the Sonata and its great story behind. Your posting confirms my feelings that of course it is important "the piece" itself, but mor... 

The 6542, the BC, the and the... ;) Un abrazo, amigo. Nicolas

We can wait very long and never find it, you did. CHeers.

I damn wanted it, but I couldn't imagine my AD would be one of the first served! Thanks, Mark. Nicolas

But in the context of this group, it has to be MIH. I bought it based on articles on the Purists. I was the first of 5 friends to get one. I\'ve owned this one and one other via Toren Smith (RIP) which eventually went to Alec Dawson (RIP). It\'s one of my...  

i bought mine for the same reason you did, well thought of on purists and very good value independent. as for my favourite watch, thats going to be very very difficult as i love so many 1964 pieces with equal passion. i'll need the weekend to consider my ... 

You are right... It is not easy to pick just one..... :-) Ken

I'm saddened though to find out about Toren passing! He was a lovely guy, quietly spoken, knowledgeable and a huge pioneer in Independent watchmaking collecting. If I'm not mistaken he was one of Peter Speake-Marin's first clients, a year or so before I k... 

with my MIH and my Citroen Van. Cheers, Cazalea ...  

This would be my choice! :) Best Blomman

.. also enjoyed the mirror shots- are terrific, (especially the one with 2CV below); - nice stack- Trio as well !.. One small Q be allowed : - what metal(s) are the cases ? ( tantalium? ruthenium? brushed Ti?) Very cool, as well ! Best, and HAGWE ! hs

Similar, but not identical by any measure. Cheers Cazalea

but this one for sure in the top... Iconic diver, unique, took me long to find it...love it... Matt ...  

Thanks, Matt! Ken

. . . with the rust on the chains is simply perfect. Great shot, Matt - as always! Art

Harbors are always a great place to shoot pictures of divers! Matt

Lovely shot! :) Best Blomman

There are 7 reasons & the story to that: 1/ is my first and still only Breguet 2/ She is is an absolutely great condition, with awesome patina 3/ this XX was found within a hilarious stay of 5 memorable days - in one of my most loved cities - Paris - find...  

that's a beauty!...Matt

Gorgeous watch, but are you ever so sure your Breguet Type XX Chrono is female? Are all watches female for that matter? And how does one check? I have only ever had one watch that I am sure is female, the IWC Ref. 5251 original Portofino. I am sure you ha... 

.. as per your Q's: 1/ No, I am not sure, the watches are "She", and - Yes, maybe specifically this Breguet Chrono would be more " He", same, I guess could go for most Rolex's.. - But think of a Omega Constellation, called " Connie " (!), or.a delicate Me... 

Especially since I love horses. Oh, and not all Hermes horses look to the left ! (One from my collection) Warmest, Dean ...  

.. symbol with logo, is a carriage, where the horse(s) also are looking to the right ! Beautiful pieces, you had the kindness to share in nice return ! Warmest regards and best, hs

Very nice.... Thanks for sharing! Ken

photo - but that might not be such a big surprise! ;) Best, my friend Blomman

of course I have to respond to a starter thread with a GP with another GP. The one I would most likely cling on regardless is this Ref 2550, Vintage 94 in yellow gold. Why? Supreme Art Deco style, which I totally adore Being yellow gold, means being diffe...  

Superb tic-tac.. Balance, beauty and presence are awesome ! - a very fine watch .. Not more - not less ! Best, hs Title: Difficult, difficult, difficult

Hi Nicolas, this watch was released after GP found some NOS Peseux 7001 movements in some basement and then reworked them into GP caliber 2300-469. By the way the first release of the Vintage 45 (Ref 2595) also had the same manual Peseux movement. CC