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18 months of catching the watch bug
I used to be a guy who saw watch merely as a tool of telling time, and never understood why someone would collect watches. On a Sunday afternoon 18 months ago, I decided to figure out this watch obsession thing. I began to browse through several major watch forums, both domestically and internationally. One day, just when I thought that I'd finally figure out why people would caught the watch bug, I simultaneously found that the watch bug had bitten me!
Dec. 2012 - ROLEX GMT Master II 116713LN.
Jan. 2013 - SEIKO SKA369 Kinetic Diver.?What's a diver doing on a golf course??
This message has been edited by Luis6 on 2014-02-23 00:12:32
I only buy watches that I really love, so would never consider selling any of them. I also like to give each watch enough wrist time, so I do rotate quite often. Most of my watches are purchased brand new from local ADs in Taiwan, since I don't have enough knowledge and courage to buy second-handed or from the grey market.
Below are a few photos of my current collection, in the order of acquisition time. Thank you for your time and attention.
Jan. 2013 - SEIKO SKA369 Kinetic Diver.?What's a diver doing on a golf course??
Feb. 2013 - ROLEX Daytona 116520.
Mar. 2013 - ORIENT Constellation GMT FDJ02003W0. This one was bought from a Singaporean Dealer, as none of the local watch shops in Taiwan had this model.
Apr. 2013 - PANERAI PAM111
May 2013 - SEIKO Presage SRP385J1 100th Anniversary of SEIKO watchmaking
Aug. 2013 - MONTBLANC Star World-time GMT. This IS the watch that brought me to PuristsPro!
Dec. 2013 - ROLEX Datejust 16233. This is a birthday gift that my dad's best friend gave him some 24 years ago, with my dad's birthday stamped on the warranty paper. Dad said a simple quartz is more convenient for him now, so I took over this good old trusty.
Feb. 2014 - AUDEMARS PIGUET Royal Oak Dual Time Power Reserve 26120ST
This message has been edited by Luis6 on 2014-02-23 00:12:32
That is a very good start, Luis.
Definitely, you caught the bug, and I am pretty sure your collection will evolve in some dramatic proportions. 
It is always interesting to read one's journey into watches! Thanks for this post, Luis.
Best,
Nicolas
I'd love to expand the collection,
but whether it will evolve in some dramatic proportion or not will largely depend upon my wife's will. I might earn much more than she does, but she is the financial minister of the household. I need her permission before making a purchase. This message has been edited by Luis6 on 2014-02-23 04:18:18
We have a good strategy for that...
" WHAT??? Darling, I have this one for months and months, and you don't recognize it? You don't pay enough attention to me, Darling. "...
Best,
Nicolas
It's indeed a good one Nico
My wife thinks my Datograph, MB Villeret and MB worldtime are the same watch!
As in she didnt notice I additional watches when I first wore my MB Villeret and Worldtime after I got them (after the Dato). So long as they are white metal and black dial she wont notice...
Today I wore my PPro ABR for awhile and she already said "hey you got a new watch!"
The red strap was too obvious. I explained that was the new toy I mentioned to her whilst in Hong Kong and it's not expensive. She took a look and no further comments from her (phew...). She probably thinks it's a Swatch.
So Luis... some tricks here hehehe
Cheers
Robin
As in she didnt notice I additional watches when I first wore my MB Villeret and Worldtime after I got them (after the Dato). So long as they are white metal and black dial she wont notice...
Today I wore my PPro ABR for awhile and she already said "hey you got a new watch!"
The red strap was too obvious. I explained that was the new toy I mentioned to her whilst in Hong Kong and it's not expensive. She took a look and no further comments from her (phew...). She probably thinks it's a Swatch.
So Luis... some tricks here hehehe
Cheers
Robin
Haha! You guys are so fun.
Unfortunately, my wife has sharp eyes and recognizes most major watch brands (that's strange; she's not into watches. Perhaps she's lurking here on PPro?). I'm afraid that your tricks might not work for me. This message has been edited by Luis6 on 2014-02-23 04:40:53
What a collection in 18 months!
Impressive collection dear Luis.
I am glad you got all you like and avoided newbie errors like those I made before. That's very good for you.
Of course I recognize your Montblanc Star Worldtime and how you joined PPro. If you recall, you resurfaced a thread started by MTF some time back. Because of your post, I fell in love with the Montblanc worldtime too and got mine.
Good to have you as a fellow community member here. Your posts and sharings in a short few months have always been encouraging and inspiring. Hope to meet you someday, maybe in HK watches and wonders 2014 (September roughly)?
Cheers
Robin
I am glad you got all you like and avoided newbie errors like those I made before. That's very good for you.
Of course I recognize your Montblanc Star Worldtime and how you joined PPro. If you recall, you resurfaced a thread started by MTF some time back. Because of your post, I fell in love with the Montblanc worldtime too and got mine.
Good to have you as a fellow community member here. Your posts and sharings in a short few months have always been encouraging and inspiring. Hope to meet you someday, maybe in HK watches and wonders 2014 (September roughly)?
Cheers
Robin
Robin, thank you and
other Montblanc forum participants for making me feel welcome when I made my first post. It's your acceptance and encouragement that make me so at home here on PPro.
Welcome… to the
world of watch collecting.
I noticed that the bug had bitten you hard. The acquisition rate is almost monthly and has somewhat moderated.
But then, the intensity of the bite is increasing.
Great start to a collection.
I like your move into the Montblanc and the AP.
I also like the Rolex that your father handed over to you.
This is gonna be the most valuable watch in your collection now and later.
Enjoy the journey. You are a year or two into it , there will be lots of watches to come - this I am pretty sure.
There will be ups and downs - interest wanes a little and you stop buying for a while and then get hit with a super grail.
The bug will not be cured but you learn to live with it.
That is the fun - searching, contemplating and enjoying it in your hands.
/W72
"The bug will not be cured but you learn to live with it."
I love this! Thank you for sharing the experience and emotion that you've been through. I'll take that with me all the way.
Very classy
I think you caught a good bug.
Everything seem to make sense.
Nothing to delicate and nothing too wild.
All solid watches any collector would consider but all look like you considered every move.
Ok maybe the emotions got one once or twice but they were good ones.
I think you have found a passion you will enjoy and share for a long time.
Men don't have too many ways to spoil ourselves and watches it a great way to enjoy our good fortunes.
Bill
Everything seem to make sense.
Nothing to delicate and nothing too wild.
All solid watches any collector would consider but all look like you considered every move.
Ok maybe the emotions got one once or twice but they were good ones.
I think you have found a passion you will enjoy and share for a long time.
Men don't have too many ways to spoil ourselves and watches it a great way to enjoy our good fortunes.
Bill
Wow! You read my mind!
I haven't revealed the thought behind every purchase. But yes, as you said, every move is a considered one.
Nice collection
It is good to see how the collection evolves. I see a preference for tools / sports watches. Perhaps a dress watch next? A Richard Lange would not look out of place.
And don't be afraid of vintage. There is a certain magic that comes with a nice vintage acquisition, plus they don't make them like they used to. And there are plenty of knowledgeable people here to help guide the vintage novice like myself.
I do love your Presage !
Dean
I do admire people
who knows and collected vintage watches. The beauty of some vintage items just blow me away.
Hey Luis....
......thanks for posting. It is always great to see how collections start, how they evolve and some of the differing combination of tastes. Congratulations to you on this growing but lovely selection of watches. Welcome here, warmly.
There is one thing to warn you about..... these forums are dangerous as they introduce you to what you don't yet know that you need!!
Good luck and great to see your collection!
Best
Joe
It looks like a very nice trip ...
you already had and I can only imagine how much more fun will come ... and some danger as well ...
Wish you lots of fun!
Oliver
Wish you lots of fun!
Oliver
9 watches in 18 months...I'm impressed.
My favourite one from your collection is your newest one: the AP Dual-Time in blue, followed by the Daytona in a distant second.
The steel/gold GMT Master II is also nice, though I like my all steel version better!
As a newbie, I took a rather conservative attitude
to collecting watches, and decided to start from basic and classic model lines. This principal applies to ROLEX GMT Master II, Daytona, AP Royal Oak and Panerai PAM111.
With so many basic and classic models offered by various brands, I only went for what really caught my eyes. Otherwise there would be no end. It actually took me 4 month of contemplation before making the first purchase.
Of course one's taste would evolve over time. AP Royal Oak had never been on my list before, but interestingly, the more I saw it, the more it grew on me. Yet I still took some time to cool down and see whether the feeling would fade away or not. My love for royal oak was then confirmed by its appearance in my dream. Finally, I consulted my wife about her impression and thoughts on the watch, and got the "budget" approved by her.
The Montblanc star world-time GMT is probably the only impulse purchase in the collection. I just fell in love with it at first sight.
As for the rather friendly-priced watches, SEIKO kinetic diver is perfect for outdoor activities. SEIKO Presage SRP385J1 is a handsome looking limited edition watch that celebrates the 100th anniversary of SEIKO watch making. There were only 150 pieces available in Taiwan, and I was lucky enough to see it and grad it right after its release.
Last but not least, the Orient Constellation GMT. Orient is a brand that I like a lot. In my own opinion, they produce the best watches in that price section. A real "bang for the buck" brand with some cult-following status. I like the fact that they produce all the mechanical movements in-house, knows their target customers and position the brand in the correct market segment.
What do you think of the Mont Blanc steel bracelet?
The reason for my question is that my own Nicholas Rieussec originally came with a gator strap that drove me nuts so I bought the steel bracelet to replace the strap.
The bracelet certainly transformed the watch from a dressy watch to a sportier number a la Jekyll & Hyde. However, the bracelet links tend to get "stuck" in a perpendicular fashion (sorry, no pics) at certain joints.
Do you have that experience with your bracelet?
I have not encountered this problem.
The bracelet on my star world-time GMT is very comfortable. It curves naturally and fit's my wrist nicely.
Ok, maybe I'm just too picky
but IMO, the the Nautilus' bracelet as well as the RO bracelet wears much better.
Well, but that comparison ...
is probably not fair if we consider the price difference (just for the bracelet)
Heh...
When my Porsche Design comes back from repairs in a week or so, I plan to conduct a scientific study on the rather subjective matter of wearing comfort.
I plan to weigh each of my watches on an electronic scale and see if there is any relation between the weight of a watch and the comfort of it.
Yes, I am biased towards metal bracelets but I still think it will be an interesting exercise.
I am looking forward to your observations ...
and I like bracelets as well - especially the very good ones. Trust me I am picky
Oliver
Oliver
then we will also see whether the cost of a watch
affects its wearing comfort.
(Though I'm still working out how I can conduct this experiment without violating the rules of the site).
...Heh heh...
Discussions about the value of something ...
is fine and welcome - only "plain" price discussions are forbidden
Well, I'll still tread lightly.
I think you already dinged me the last time I brought up something to do with $$.
Maybe I'll categorize the watches in my collection in terms of theme (sports, dress, diving, etc) or perhaps in a rough $$ category like say 1-5k, 5-10k etc.
"categorize the watches"
Sounds good to me, but if you have still questiones please feel free to send me or the related moderator a PM about his recommendation/view.
Thanks and as I already mentioned above I am looking forward to your observations!
Oliver
Thanks and as I already mentioned above I am looking forward to your observations!
Oliver