Horological Meandering

Which one do you treasure the most ? I'm not intrested in you most expensive piece nor the most rare in your collection.

But the one which is more than 'just a watch'

For me it must be this Zenith El Primero Moonphase. Not only is it a very nice watch with a  movement which made history. But ... I got this piece from my girlfriend about 6 years ago. 6 Years ago we bought our house and since we didn't get married this was my present.  A lot better than an ugly ring

So  this is probably my only keeper, She won't like it if I put this one for sale 

 

Anyway, today it's a boring, rainy day so I had the time to take some pics. And  they're not bad at all

 

 

 

 

Hi Bruno,

This is definately something to tresure.

This El-primero,you can call it my first entry to this sophisticated world of watches.Recalling it,something like 7 years ago,when i was about to make a purchase of Tag-Heur Caliber 36,which carried this mechanism.At that juncture,both my friends which are brothers planned to have the Tag-heur in black and white.Therefore,without hesistation,i offered one of them to get the white one which i was supposed to have.These two brothers ended with one black and one white dial,made them a happy one pair.

I was in dilema after had losen the white one,did some research found out that El-primero are from Zenith,therefore pursuit the hunting for some worth while possession.When i first saw this piece,straight away i had fallen for it.It stayed with me for more than 5 years,during this 5 years,many many wonderfull stories and memories i had with it.I still recalling a VIP during a dinner had asked me to hand over the watch in order for him to appreciate.After his close observation on the watch,when he returned the watch to me,he asked me one question,something like this "Do i need to pay for USD$20,000.00 for this watch?".I laughed the whole night long.In my little mind,i did the right thing by buying this watch.LOLOLOL......

After afew years,my good friend was going for retirement after much thinking,i sent my watch for servicing,replacing the strap and polishing.The day before he retired i passed him this watch as a gift of friendship.

That's my story and memory of this beautifull Zenith El-Primero.

Bruno!Thanks for sharing and most importantly bring me back all the beautifull thoughts of this adorable watch i once had.

Thanks again.

BHK9

Hardly wear my Chronoswiss opus, but this is the watch responsible for getting me seriously involved in this hobby...

I might add that this is one terrific watch for the money!

this one ! My Grandfathers Howard ................

Kurt

Hi Bruno,
My grandfather just gave me a pretty beat up Howard watch to look at.  The case doesn't seem to be of precious metal b/c it's tarnished green around the edges.  Can you either tell me more about the watch or direct me to a place where I can learn more.

Thanks,
m

For me, the nicest is, as you perfectly said, the cheaper...A Rolex GMT, my first watch...
It will never go.



Ex Aequo with the Polaris re edition, but for another reason....



Best.
Nicolas

Curious about the reason for the Polaris reedition...if you care to share.

And that is the best photo I have seen so far of the platinum 1965 model.  It really is a gorgeous piece and a great addition to your collection.

respo

Let's say that we were some to discuss a lot with JLC for a re edition of THE Polaris...

And JLC said OK....

So, now I consider it a bit like my Baby!

BTW, this is not the Platinum Polaris, but the Boutique Edition, only available at the Paris boutique...

In SS...

But you have all the reasons of the world to be confused, as the Polaris platinum shares the SS Polaris dial  for the Boutique...

Best, my friend.

Nicolas

And I thought as I posted my earlier comment that it might be the SS Boutique Edition, but then assumed that, it being YOU, it would have to be platinum!  LOL.  You fooled me.

I love the boutique edition of the Polaris.  Sadly, we have no JLC Boutiques on this side of the Atlantic, so we never get a first chance at any Boutique editions.  Normally that is not such a disappointment for me, as I am not so enamoured of limited editions, but in the case of the boutique edition of Polaris, well it is a bit disappointing. Maybe I will come across one some day (not likely with only 65).

Enjoy your baby! She's a beauty. 

respo

Which I got from my grandfather some 20 years ago. .... when I started going

to high school ...

This is the watch that made me watch crazy when I was only 5 to 6 years old. ...

..... my grandfather used to wind it every morning and put it on my ear to hear it

ticking before leaving to school .....

This watch also was carried for over 25 years with my grandfather to the work

As he was locomotive driver this watch made quite a mileage in his pocket

Once we calculated that it made one and half time to moon and back ......

This is THE ONE for me ... sentiment + memories + love + passion

 

This message has been edited by Ares501 on 2008-06-15 12:02:08

I must be in the wrong website...

This watch is special because it was my wedding gift from my wife.. doesn't get used much...but it's a keeper like her!

Another MOST IMPORTANT watch that happens to be the cheapest in the collection.

regards,

palmasea

My grandfather left me a Patek and Movado Moon Phase. The Patek was a gift to him from my grandmother on their honeymoon to Europe in the early 1930's. When I received it (early 1980's) I was in my late teens and heading to college. Being from a family that believes in raising their kids with financial responsibility, I was expected to contribute to my post high school education. So, faced with the choice of having a watch that, at the time, I never thought I would wear, serviced and insured at a cost of $700, or selling it (and the Movado) for $7,000, which paid for the start of my college fees, I sold it.

I, of course, have no picture to show.

As a result of my financial upbringing and ultimate education (Undergrad and MBA from a well respected Chicago University), my collection currently consists of:

• Peter Speake-Marin Serpent
• Ulysse Nardin Limited Edition Michelangelo Gigante
  
• MIH
• Chopard L.U.C Limited Edition Twist Tech
• Stepan Serpaneva K3 (on order)

and the one I consider the replacement to my grandfather's Patek -

Nicholas Delaloye Montres Homme collection Le garde-Temps with mother of pearl dial.

Selling these watches (the Patek in particular) mades it my most important watch for two reasons - the regret I felt later in life resulted in my interest and participation in watch collecting; and the resulting education allowed for the means to participate in watch collecting to a level I may not have otherwise.

While many I have told this story to assume that I would get a Patek to replace the one I sold - I have found the spirit of the independent watchmaker to match my spirit, and I believe my grandfather's, a bit better. I prefer to have watches that represent the here and now, as well as the future, rather than the past. I find that watches made by living watchmakers do a better job of this than 100+ year old brands.

(Telling this story always feels a bit like therapy - thanks for listening)


REPLACEMENT OF GRANDFATHER'S PATEK

This is my imovable watch . Given to me by my parents on my graduation

 

Julian

Universal Geneve Gilt shadow ... Genta style ...




and it's breathtaking movement ... 2.9 mm thick ...

Hi Bruno,

 

Thanks for asking this question of us. As with many others who have posted, my most important watch was the one passed down within the family and the one that started my interest in horology.

 

It was my originally my Great Grandfathers and is a rather well used chronograph with no particularly important lineage, apart from the family one. The case is hallmarked 1883 Birmingham and it is still a source of happy memories and pleasure for me.

 

Andrew

This VC is extremely ugly. And equipped with the least decent movement among all your watchs !

Sorry i am open with my opinion. Anyway you have a great collection !

Favourite watch of [now deceased] father – favoured over Rolex and Omega pieces:

 

 

 

Gift of first watch from [now deceased] father to a then very young [now very much older!] pplater:

 

 

Thank you, Bruno, for a very worthy thread.

 

 

Cheers,

pplater

by Tissot. My father gave this to me when I was in high school. This is the most "expensive" time piece because it is priceless to me.........

Need some restoration work though.....

 

Mike

 

 

... and I see that you have gone on brilliantly from there.

Very nice JLC. Thanks for the images.

Andrew

. . . but still, my most treasured watch . . .

. . . Dad's '56 Longines Conquest, entirely original and worn every so often on a green strap and deployant . . . cordially, Art

Hi Bruno,

Its me again.After the Zenith el-primero,after i browse my collection of watches,i settled with this piece in my memories that are accountable as "Important watch".

From time to time,i like to buy watch for a specific reason,to mark some special occasion,event,moments and etc.Therefore,i would say they grow together with me.And from the collection it reflects the taste,thoughts and patern of buying throught out your whole life.

Below is just a common watch that will keep with me forever.Recalling the day i bought this watch in the evening,after several hours of wearing as i entered the hotel lift,my handphone rang.....i got through a deal that marked in the milesstone of my business life's journey.In other words,it bring good luck too.This special memory will live with me together with this watch till the day i vanish from this world.It is not an rare or expensive watch but the memories lies within are so sentimental that is just simply unreplaceable.

My "important"watch,

 

miss the picture.....

My White Dial Daytona....

enjoy........

BHK9

Wedding present from my wife almost 3 years ago.  Definitely not a popular watch, but I like it very much and is the only Oris watch left in my collection, after moving onto other brands...

Blue

My Speedmaster Professional Moon