Watch and Timepiece Appreciation Thread

[ccap41]

22 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

 

Omega Speedmaster, an absolute icon in the watch world. One day, I'll get myself one. 

[Drew Dowdell]

Do we need a watch appreciation thread?

[Drew Dowdell]

And voila! A Watch and Timepiece thread (I like clocks too, so both can go in here.)

[David]

Here are the two watches my wife has bought me. The Gold Bulova was bought for me in 1991, sales receipt shows she paid $544. Second watch is the gun metal grey with gold accent Accutron that was bought in 1997 for $799 according to the receipt. 

[oldshurst442]

You beat me to it!!!   

I would have dunnit If it werent for me looking for dumb ass Mustang logos on google...

Ill start reposting the watches I done with an explanation of why I like the watch or how it caught my eye and the reason why I posted it with that particular car.

 

On 5/8/2021 at 12:28 AM, oldshurst442 said:

 

 

I wanted to do classic high end watches in that post with pics of what it was like to be rich in the 1980s.  Old money. Not 1980s boorish nouveau riche.  Although I did post a Callaway Vette and Countache.  I didnt want an 80s gold Rolex Presidential.  I did want that classic Rolex chronograph and the iconic Cartier Tank.     

Edited August 23, 2023 by oldshurst442

[David]

@oldshurst442 Funny part is the Gold Bulova watch was when I was in Sales and the Gun Metal Grey watch was when I transitioned to Engineering. Proper representation of my two career paths. LOL

[oldshurst442]

The first watch to go to the moon.  

 

 

And the second

 

And the reissues in the 2020s

 

Need I say more? 

[oldshurst442]

Just now, David said:

@oldshurst442 Funny part is the Gold Bulova watch was when I was in Sales and the Gun Metal Grey watch was when I transitioned to Engineering. Proper representation of my two career paths. LOL

 

Awesome personal history and tie-in with your watches!!!

 

The Accutron (let alobe Bulova itself) has some serious history behind it.     Bulova is a SERIOUSLY UNDERATED watchmaker.  Bulovas are the world's most accurate time pieces and watch snobs usually dont acknowledge that. 

    Bulova would be my favorite watchmaker.    

 

[ccap41]

5 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

And voila! A Watch and Timepiece thread (I like clocks too, so both can go in here.)

I haven't' gotten into nice clocks yet but I would like to. Watches are higher on the list though hahaha. 

3 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

And the reissues in the 2020s

 

Need I say more? 

I hadn't realized Bulova had a watch go to the moon as well.

Omega is on a completely different level than Bulova though. 

[ccap41]

3 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

 

This Rolex is amazing. I don't know anything about it but it looks GREAT! 

It looks similar to the Breitling Navitimer (although it came first). I dig that look but those watches are to big for my wrist. There's so much information that they need to be larger but they're too big for me. 

[oldshurst442]

@ccap41

 That Rolex is a very rare piece.  Only a handful were made.  It was made in the '40s.  If my memory serves me right.  

I like Rolex and Breitling.  But all their models are too big for my wrist too.  I like Rolex not because they are expensive high end pieces.  I like Rolex because originally they were sturdy everyday work watches.  And the older ones were elegant.  I got to say, today's Rolex is gaudi.  A gold Presidential Rolex and Rolexes of that style worked well in the 1980s.  Not so much now.  At least not in my eyes.  

I said I like Breitling.  But I, of my 50 year old self mindset, find that Breitling is too busy.  

The busiest I want my watch to get would be that Omega Speedmaster.   

The biggest I would want my watch to be would be 40mm.   I do have smallish wrists.  

 

 

[David]

1 hour ago, oldshurst442 said:

@ccap41

 That Rolex is a very rare piece.  Only a handful were made.  It was made in the '40s.  If my memory serves me right.  

I like Rolex and Breitling.  But all their models are too big for my wrist too.  I like Rolex not because they are expensive high end pieces.  I like Rolex because originally they were sturdy everyday work watches.  And the older ones were elegant.  I got to say, today's Rolex is gaudi.  A gold Presidential Rolex and Rolexes of that style worked well in the 1980s.  Not so much now.  At least not in my eyes.  

I said I like Breitling.  But I, of my 50 year old self mindset, find that Breitling is too busy.  

The busiest I want my watch to get would be that Omega Speedmaster.   

The biggest I would want my watch to be would be 40mm.   I do have smallish wrists.  

 

 

Ahh, Olds is a Petite man!  

[ccap41]

14 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

The biggest I would want my watch to be would be 40mm.   I do have smallish wrists.

36mm - 40mm is the sweet spot for me. I'm sure some 41-42mm cases would be fine as well because each case shape and lug to lug differences can make smaller cases fit larger or larger cases fit smaller so I don't want to draw a line in the sand at a specific number without trying it on. 

 

14 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

That Rolex is a very rare piece.  Only a handful were made.  It was made in the '40s.  If my memory serves me right. 

Well, it's certainly a beautiful piece! 

 

14 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

I like Rolex and Breitling.  But all their models are too big for my wrist too.  I like Rolex not because they are expensive high end pieces.  I like Rolex because originally they were sturdy everyday work watches.  And the older ones were elegant.  I got to say, today's Rolex is gaudi.  A gold Presidential Rolex and Rolexes of that style worked well in the 1980s.  Not so much now.  At least not in my eyes.  

Breitlings are "okay" to me.  Some I like more than others but in that price range, I'm going with comparable Omegas or Tudors. I'm a huge Tudor fan and I'd really like to get my hands on a Black Bay 58 blue within the next couple years. 

SOME Rolex are gaudy but absolutely not all of them. It's only gaudy if that's what you're choosing. There's nothing gaudy about a stainless Submariner or most of their Datejusts. 

[Drew Dowdell]

I don't have much knowledge of watches and don't really care about pedigree.  I'll never buy a watch just because of the name brand.  I tend to like them in two styles.  I like either a classic, minimalist, Deco style, or as a skeleton style.  I always prefer an automatic and don't really shop outside of that category ever. One thing I've never liked is metal watch bands. I find they snag on my arm hair or just about anything else that's around.

My favorite watch I've had for about 6-8 years now is a Sturhling Bridge Automatic.  They still produce the bridge model, but no longer as an automatic. I'll get a picture of it when I'm home.

This Stauer Dashtronic is one I've admired for a while and not sure why I haven't pulled the trigger on it yet.

[David]

56 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

I don't have much knowledge of watches and don't really care about pedigree.  I'll never buy a watch just because of the name brand.  I tend to like them in two styles.  I like either a classic, minimalist, Deco style, or as a skeleton style.  I always prefer an automatic and don't really shop outside of that category ever. One thing I've never liked is metal watch bands. I find they snag on my arm hair or just about anything else that's around.

My favorite watch I've had for about 6-8 years now is a Sturhling Bridge Automatic.  They still produce the bridge model, but no longer as an automatic. I'll get a picture of it when I'm home.

This Stauer Dashtronic is one I've admired for a while and not sure why I haven't pulled the trigger on it yet.

Very clean, easy to read. Nice watch!

Course with my habit of never wearing jewelry let alone a watch, I doubt I will ever buy one since my phone has it all. 

Read multiple writeups that the watch market is a dying industry, be interesting to see where it is in 20 to 30 years.

[Drew Dowdell]

1 minute ago, David said:

Very clean, easy to read. Nice watch!

Course with my habit of never wearing jewelry let alone a watch, I doubt I will ever buy one since my phone has it all. 

Read multiple writeups that the watch market is a dying industry, be interesting to see where it is in 20 to 30 years.

I don't think it will be dead, but I think it will be more specialized.  My daily wear watch is my Apple watch because I track health stats with it. I have to aggressively remove apps that send too many notifications to it.

[ccap41]

43 minutes ago, David said:

Read multiple writeups that the watch market is a dying industry, be interesting to see where it is in 20 to 30 years.

It seems to be booming. Rolex and other luxury brands are producing record numbers of time pieces a year. 

People will always want jewelry and luxury watches are no different than diamonds for women. 

[Drew Dowdell]

3 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

It seems to be booming. Rolex and other luxury brands are producing record numbers of time pieces a year. 

People will always want jewelry and luxury watches are no different than diamonds for women. 

This.

I think the cheap market might be dead, because once people have a smartwatch they'll wear that over the $45 one they got at Target.

But when I don't wear my Apple watch, I wear one of my automatics because I'm dressing up more formally or trying to look snazzy for something. Apple watches aren't ugly, but they're no longer special or interesting.

[oldshurst442]

Watches in terms of telling time is dead.

Watches in terms of fashion is heading in an upwards direction.  

Smart watches actually started this trend.  Because it made fashionable people aware that a watch, a real watch, could be a nice thing to wear to showcase.  

Timex reissued their iconic Marlin...

Casio reissued ALL their classic stuff from the 70s and 80s. 

 

Casio even went the route of product placement in movies.

 

not as work watches as how the G-Shock originally was, but as a cool accessory that could take a beating while you save the world. 

The Apple watch and watches of that kind replaced the work watch. The Timex if you will.  But Casio and Timex countered with their cheap offerings and made them fashionable...

And this is where the high end watches also got a second boost in sales.  As an accesory.

 

And this is where I can explain the next watch I posted in the beautiful car appreciation thread. 

 

 

I had a similar watch as a teenager.  I cant remember if it was a Casio or a Timex.  I paired that Casio up with a Delorean.    

Apparently it was also in a movie...

I just posted it because of memory of me having a similar watch as a teen.   Timex or Casio...no difference. 

[oldshurst442]

I dont want to pretend that Im a horology expert.  I am not.  I dibble dabble in information and history here and there.  

But Im passionate enough to at least talk about watches.  

 

I posted this watch.  

 

I know nothing about it.   I came across it and was inspired  when I was googling what kind of watch The Bandit was wearing.

 

Its a personalized Timex.  The band is an indigenous motif band.   Love the band.  

 

And I had seen the movie American Made with Tom Cruise and remembered a thick leather band watch he wore in the movie.

Its a Nemesis.  And I know nothing about it either.

 

 

 So I continued googling to find other watches with thick and big bands similar to either .  I didnt want to post the Timex Bandit watch because I had already posted tons of Trans Ams ad nauseum so I wanted to do something different.  Although I LOVE that band and I might just post it in homage to Burt Reynolds anyway. 

 I didnt like the Nemesis watch.  

I eventually came across that Citizen.   LOVED it IMMEDIATELY.   I thought it was the best looking of all of them. 

Edited August 25, 2023 by oldshurst442

[oldshurst442]

On 8/23/2023 at 11:56 PM, David said:

Ahh, Olds is a Petite man!  

Yes I am.

But... although not as huge muscled as you, I did do weights back in the day.   I still got my chest and leg muscles in full force.  My calves are still well defined.   Ive lost my quads definition but all the leg muscles are still rock hard. 

My biceps and triceps need work.  I barely got my V around the shoulders where the biceps and tricpes begin. If I flex, the V and triceps are visible. Barely.  But they are there.   

*SIGH*        the bicep and tricep muscles are pathetically dormant though. 

Never had abs.  I had a flat stomach then, not so much now, but at least Ive lost weight and the stomach is kinda flat again.

Too much work to have abs so I never concentrated on them.  Playing sports I figured, abs are not important.  I trained for strength and speed.  Not for bulk and definition.   But I have small wrists.  I have a small to medium body frame.  Im only 5 foot 6 and a half to 3 quarters tall after all.   (to be exact...LOL)   Not quite 5'7'' but definetaly taller than shorty 5.6''  

[Drew Dowdell]

Here's my Sturhling Bar Automatic, my favorite watch, I mentioned yesterday

[Drew Dowdell]

2 minutes ago, oldshurst442 said:

Yes I am.

But... although not as huge muscled as you, I did do weights back in the day.   I still got my chest and leg muscles in full force.  My calves are still well defined.   Ive lost my quads definition but all the leg muscles are still rock hard. 

My biceps and triceps need work.  I barely got my V around the shoulders where the biceps and tricpes begin. If I flex, the V and triceps are visible. Barely.  But they are there.   

*SIGH*        the bicep and tricep muscles are pathetically dormant though. 

Never had abs.  I had a flat stomach then, not so much now, but at least Ive lost weight and the stomach is kinda flat again.

Too much work to have abs so I never concentrated on them.  Playing sports I figured, abs are not important.  I trained for strength and speed.  Not for bulk and definition.   But I have small wrists.  I have a small to medium body frame.  Im only 5 foot 6 and a half to 3 quarters tall after all.   (to be exact...LOL)   Not quite 5'7'' but definetaly taller than shorty 5.6''  

lol, we might need a fitness thread too.  I have never been built, I was always the trim/cut swimmers build right up until 2020 when the pandemic, a very sedentary job, and my 40s conspired together to build a dad bod and I gained 35 lbs, none of it muscle.  In mid-July, work started a weight loss challenge where participants can win up to $500... so that made cookies really not worth it. At 5-weeks in, I'm down 17.4 lbs on a strict diet + swimming laps 3 times a week. The goal for the contest is being down 25 lbs by October 2nd, and shockingly, I'm in 5th place.  After the contest is over, I'm going to keep it going and I'm aiming for 35 lbs down by November 7th, my birthday. I might aim for 50lbs down by Christmas with the goal of a swimmers body by then.

[oldshurst442]

I like all kinds of watches.  

Pedigree is somewhat important, but not a factor.   I DO want a watch from a legit watchmaker, not from these so called fashion watch corps such as Armani, Diesel, Guess, Hugo Boss, Gucci, Michael Kors...    GaaAWD DO I HATE MICHAEL KOR WATCHES!!!

I like simplistic watches.  I like complicated watches with all kinds of complications on the dial.  I wouldnt wear a too busy one, but I like 'em none the less.

I like cheap legit watches like a Casio or Timex or even Swatch but nothing that you buy from a Walmart/Target/Dollar Store  turn-a-rack display and the watch is made in China/Taiwan.   

I prefer the mid-level watches like an Omega, Seiko, Bulova, Citizen, Longines, Tissot... 

I like the horology engineering in the very high end watches like a Rolex, Piguet, IWC, A. Lange and Sohne, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Panerai, etc  

Noting that several brands have been bought by other brands and are part of a bigger umbrella now-a-days. 

I like military face style watches like a Hamilton.  I like the naked face look.  I like the really wierd styled high end stuff too.  

I like automatics and I like quartzes.  I like digital.  I even like smart watches although Id NEVER consider buying one.  

I like round and I like square and rectangle.   Leather straps or metal.  Gold too.  But not plastic nor tissue. 

I like classic styled watches like the Longines watches classic original and reissue I posted in the car thread.

 

I like a gaudy diamond encrusted  18k Gold  Rolex Presidential. Id wear one too if I was a Russian Oligarch kissin' Putin's ass...   Or a Wallstreet weenie boy bilking billions from like minded @$$h8le$...   Or If I was a New York Yankee or Dallas Cowboys owner.   Same style of shytty arrogance.   Did I just paint the Steinbrenners and the Joneses like murderous, cantakerous theives?    I guess I did...   

 

These are my personal watches.   The far right one was my dad's.  Its a Waltham.  I have no information on it.   I tried fixing it last year.  Cost me 200 CDN bucks.  Stopped working again 3 months later.  I guess its too old.  But I LOVE it.    Its a 21 jewel self winding automatic.    

The other 2 are Bulova Quartzes.     The one of the left is solar.  Its titanium and its a 36mm I think.  Cost me around 500 CDN at the time.  The one in the middle is 40mm but not that expensive.  My wife bought for me as a XMAs gift and it was on sale for 160 CDN.   

 

I would want to upgrade to the reissue of a Bulova Jetstar.  I really really like Bulova's Precisionist mouvement.  Its a less expensive Grand Seiko style quartz movement and even more precise.   I like an automatic for its horology engineering, and I LOVE the sweeping second hand.  But I love a battery powered watch in that I dont have to wind it up...   I had LOTS of hand wounding watches as a kid.   When I got my hands on a quartz watch in the 80s, and I had several digital ones at that as well, I never looked back.  Kinda like a manual transmission versus an automatic one.   I dont like a manual transmission either...

Roughly $500 versus $5000.  But yeah...the Grand Seiko is classy and awesome non-the less.

 

 

 

This GS is simply gorgeous!

 

 

Edited August 25, 2023 by oldshurst442

[ccap41]

9 minutes ago, oldshurst442 said:

I prefer the mid-level watches like an Omega

I have to disagree here. Omega is muuuuch more of a Rolex/Tudor/Breitling/Cartier competitor here 

 

13 minutes ago, oldshurst442 said:

Roughly $500 versus $5000.  But yeah...the Grand Seiko is classy and awesome non-the less.

Speaking of GS, one of my dream watches is a "snowflake" Grand Seiko. I finally got to see one in person about a month ago.  Boy-o-boy is it a beautiful piece! 

(not the one I saw in person FYI)

[oldshurst442]

1 minute ago, ccap41 said:

I have to disagree here. Omega is muuuuch more of a Rolex/Tudor/Breitling/Cartier competitor here 

 

Yeah!!!   You are right about that.   

I dont know why I put Omega in the mid tier.     I guess I was thinking Seiko when I wrote it and ommitted Omega with the high end.   But yeah.   Guilty as charged and correction accepted. 

I also wanted to include Tudor and Breitling with the high end stuff but I guess when all those brands were swirling in my mind, I got mixed up with all that info because I had a LOT more to say.   Tongue tied and brain fart we will chalk that up to.

[ccap41]

13 minutes ago, oldshurst442 said:

I also wanted to include Tudor and Breitling with the high end stuff but I guess when all those brands were swirling in my mind, I got mixed up with all that info because I had a LOT more to say.   Tongue tied and brain fart we will chalk that up to.

In my opinion, Tudor, Breitling and Tag are more of a "low high end" to me. they make quality stuff but they don't really have stuff like Rolex, Omega, Cartier, Panerai, or IWC. 

Tudor, Breitling, and Tag remind me of like Acura, Lexus, and Lincoln whereas the others are more like BMW, Audi, Merc, etc. (obviously not the compact FWD ones) 

My personal daily watch. Seiko 5 Sports. 

I'm not sure why when I add the wrist shot it rotates it 90 degrees clockwise not not the caseback picture. Oh well. 

Edited August 25, 2023 by ccap41

[oldshurst442]

@ccap41

 

ABSOLUTELY about everything you said with your last post! 

And how could I forget about Tag???!!!   Hey!!!  We could discuss Tag anytime we want, right???!!!

 

That is a very nice Seiko you got.  (Please dont hate me for saying this though)   That is the type of strap that I (personally) do not like.  I would prefer a metal band for it.  I am NOT a watch snob so I do not say that with malice or ill intentions.  Watch wearing is such a personal thing and if that is what you like...GREAT!!!   

I just felt the need to say that a strap like that does not work for me.   And I only recently got into leather straps.  In fact, when my wife bough me the black faced Bulova 3-4 years ago, I soooooo wanted to change the strap. (to a metal one).   I still do because its a very cheap Bulova strap.  But now Im thinking I want a nicer, better looking black leather strap for it.  

My dad's Waltham was an old fashioned band like this

 

Very similar.  But not as gold-y and matched the colour of the case itself.    I dont have it anymore.  I lost it with time.  Probably in a box somewhere in the house.  But when I fixed it, I wanted a metal band but the love of a leather strap had already begun and went with that instead.  

 

Ill say it again.  Between all the watches that @Drew Dowdell, @David you and I posted of our personal watches, I like YOURS the best!!!   Including those of MY collection! 

 

Edited August 25, 2023 by oldshurst442

[David]

Just never wear a metal band watch when working on an auto and especially near the distributor. I in my youthful idiot days ignored my dad reminder to remove all jewelry and my watch and I fried an early watch when the metal band or strap touch the distributor and arch'd. OUCH, that was a smart hurtful moment. 

Never work anything metal on me again and could fully explain why I pretty much do not wear anything on my fingers or wrists since.

[Robert Hall]

Haven't regularly worn a watch in close to 20 years since I always have a cell phone w/me...but I do like watches.  One drawback from being a software engineer working from home is I rarely need to 'dress up' in anything beyond shorts and t-shirts or sweats and hoodies...but watches are nice when I do go out to a nice restaurant or the symphony.  

I have a few watches going back to high school and college (Citizen and Seiko).  I also have a few Fossil and Skagen watches from the mid 00s.   Maybe I'll get back into wearing watches..

[Drew Dowdell]

You guys will think I’m weird, but when I wear my watch I have to also wear a cuff or bracelet on the other arm or it feels unbalanced to me. I have a large collection of leather cuffs for my right hand for that reason.

[ccap41]

On 8/25/2023 at 4:41 PM, oldshurst442 said:

That is a very nice Seiko you got.  (Please dont hate me for saying this though)   That is the type of strap that I (personally) do not like.  I would prefer a metal band for it.  I am NOT a watch snob so I do not say that with malice or ill intentions.  Watch wearing is such a personal thing and if that is what you like...GREAT!!!   

Oh no offense taken, bud! 

Honestly, I was really skeptical of it when I bought it. I intended on getting a different strap, be it leather or a bracelet but this was waaaay more comfortable than I expected. I'd still like to get a few different staps for it, just to change it up. Also, with it having a grey dial, I could put nearly any color and I think it would still look good. I'd like a red leather, blue leather, and a green leather strap for it. 

The best part about a non-bracelet strap is the adjustability. I absolutely notice a difference in my body swelling in the middle of the summer versus fall/winter temps. I know higher end bracelets have micro adjustments for this reason but those are expensive watches and even those, not all have micro adjustments.

With that said, my Datejust fits great 90% of the time but a hot summer day, it's juuuuust a bit tight and I'd like to be able to adjust the bracelet a bit. . 

(also not sure why this picture rotates 90 degrees clockwise when adding it. What's weirder, if I go to the image in the folder itself and rotate it to compensate for the 90 degree turn, it stays in THAT orientation. but if I have it correct, it rotates it. WTF?!?)

[ccap41]

On 8/26/2023 at 7:47 AM, Drew Dowdell said:

You guys will think I’m weird, but when I wear my watch I have to also wear a cuff or bracelet on the other arm or it feels unbalanced to me. I have a large collection of leather cuffs for my right hand for that reason.

I don't actually think that sounds weird. I've considered wearing a smart-er watch on my other wrist because I would like the workout/rest/etc. stats that those watches give. I tried to fit my Garmin tracker on my ankle but it doesn't fit. That would be ideal because I mostly just want steps and workout tracking but I don't want to sacrifice my mechanical watch on my left wrist. 

But to the symmetrical feel you need, I get it. It was a little weird when I started wearing a watch daily but I soon got used to it. 

[oldshurst442]

On 8/26/2023 at 8:47 AM, Drew Dowdell said:

You guys will think I’m weird, but when I wear my watch I have to also wear a cuff or bracelet on the other arm or it feels unbalanced to me. I have a large collection of leather cuffs for my right hand for that reason.

Like how @ccap41 said.   Not weird at all.   

Im not a huge jewelery guy.  Just a watch, wedding ring and my dad's pinky ring is what Ill wear.  His pinky ring has his initials on it and his initials are my intitials as well.  But Ill wear that only on special occasions.  So for me, Im the opposite of you.   But I love wearing watches.  

I had ALWAYS worn watches.  Except when working.  In the restaurant biz, no jewelery allowed.  That means I have never worn my wedding ring.  Only on special occasions.  OK...going to the grocery store sometimes Id wear it.   I recently found out though, since I dont have the restaurant anymore, that my wedding ring does not fit my finger...   

Watches however, if Im going out anywhere, Im going to put on a watch.  Im wearing shorts and a t-shirt on a short jaunt somewheres, Im putting on a watch.  Im going to a wedding, Im wearing a watch.   

2 hours ago, ccap41 said:

Oh no offense taken, bud! 

Honestly, I was really skeptical of it when I bought it. I intended on getting a different strap, be it leather or a bracelet but this was waaaay more comfortable than I expected. I'd still like to get a few different staps for it, just to change it up. Also, with it having a grey dial, I could put nearly any color and I think it would still look good. I'd like a red leather, blue leather, and a green leather strap for it. 

The best part about a non-bracelet strap is the adjustability. I absolutely notice a difference in my body swelling in the middle of the summer versus fall/winter temps. I know higher end bracelets have micro adjustments for this reason but those are expensive watches and even those, not all have micro adjustments.

With that said, my Datejust fits great 90% of the time but a hot summer day, it's juuuuust a bit tight and I'd like to be able to adjust the bracelet a bit. . 

(also not sure why this picture rotates 90 degrees clockwise when adding it. What's weirder, if I go to the image in the folder itself and rotate it to compensate for the 90 degree turn, it stays in THAT orientation. but if I have it correct, it rotates it. WTF?!?)

 

another beautiful watch.  Im feeling jealousy...

When I opened up my restaurant in the mid to late '90s, I was at a cross roads.  I wanted to start a collection.  

It was between a watch collection or scale 1/18 die cast automobiles.   

The cars won.  And its a good thing.  Diecast cars are less expensive.  And because watches are smaller, I would be able to buy more because watches dont require as much display realestate so potentially, I could have bankrupted myself buying all kinds of watches...   

Id probably start with Tags.  Since that brand was the one to own back then and especially with my entourage and all the people I was hanging around with mingling.  

[oldshurst442]

I am trying to figure out what Tag Heuer watch I wanted in 1996.  The same year I opened up the restaurant.  It would have been my gift for a succesfull  opening.  I cant for the life of me remember what it was.  It was two tone.  Silver and Gold and had a white face.  Its was kinda like a chrono. I cant find it.  

It was something like this.

 

It was more silver than gold.  The gold accents, like the watch above, were just that, accents.  Except the face was white. Or it could have been silver. And yes, the band had that gold accent in the middle as well.

This one is a Professional 2000 200 meters.  It looks to be that model going by memory.

This one is too gold-y

Swap the bezels in which the bezel is silver and the gold is just an accent and it would appear to be the Tag I saw and wanted at a Downtown Montreal jewelery front store.  Dont remember what jewelery store it was either... 

Edited August 28, 2023 by oldshurst442

[David]

Always like more of a gun metal color watch with minimal accent colors. Was never one into a gaudy or flashy look at me watch. I like subdued stuff when I wear it.

[oldshurst442]

9 hours ago, ccap41 said:

I intended on getting a different strap, be it leather or a bracelet but this was waaaay more comfortable than I expected. I'd still like to get a few different staps for it, just to change it up. Also, with it having a grey dial, I could put nearly any color and I think it would still look good. I'd like a red leather, blue leather, and a green leather strap for it. 

The best part about a non-bracelet strap is the adjustability.

The adjustability is quite understanding.  I got hairy arms myself.  Not too hairy though.  I guess that is why I prefer my watches to be loose fitting. I cant stand them being tight on my wrist.  

The customization that these straps lends themselves to is fantastic.   Fairly inexpensive to buy several different styles and colours  its like you have a different watch with each different strap.  And easy to fit on. 

I definitely see the upsides and the popularity for them.  

[ccap41]

On 8/28/2023 at 11:37 AM, oldshurst442 said:

Like how @ccap41 said.   Not weird at all.   

Im not a huge jewelery guy.  Just a watch, wedding ring and my dad's pinky ring is what Ill wear.  His pinky ring has his initials on it and his initials are my intitials as well.  But Ill wear that only on special occasions.  So for me, Im the opposite of you.   But I love wearing watches.  

I had ALWAYS worn watches.  Except when working.  In the restaurant biz, no jewelery allowed.  That means I have never worn my wedding ring.  Only on special occasions.  OK...going to the grocery store sometimes Id wear it.   I recently found out though, since I dont have the restaurant anymore, that my wedding ring does not fit my finger...   

Watches however, if Im going out anywhere, Im going to put on a watch.  Im wearing shorts and a t-shirt on a short jaunt somewheres, Im putting on a watch.  Im going to a wedding, Im wearing a watch.   

 

another beautiful watch.  Im feeling jealousy...

When I opened up my restaurant in the mid to late '90s, I was at a cross roads.  I wanted to start a collection.  

It was between a watch collection or scale 1/18 die cast automobiles.   

The cars won.  And its a good thing.  Diecast cars are less expensive.  And because watches are smaller, I would be able to buy more because watches dont require as much display realestate so potentially, I could have bankrupted myself buying all kinds of watches...   

Id probably start with Tags.  Since that brand was the one to own back then and especially with my entourage and all the people I was hanging around with mingling.  

Thank you! I got lucky with the timing and with the in-laws owning a jewelry store, I only paid cost for it. It is used but there were zero scratches/scuffs on it and it was only a year old at the time. I think it's a 2019 and I got it in 2020. 

They came across a customer wanting to sell it to them, they bought it to sell it and when I saw it, it was exactly what I wanted. Stainless case and bracelet, white gold fluted bezel, blue dial with diamond indices, and the jubilee bracelet. All of those were exactly what I wanted and I more than likely would have never came across that combo without paying a few grand more. I do not make Rolex-money but I had saved up some and had a cheaper, older Rolex(90's black Datejust - I'll try and find a picture of it or of one like it) that I "traded in" so I "only" had to pay like $3500 more than my older Rolex. 

One good thing about quality, higher end watches is they don't really depreciate a whole lot. If you had ran into financial problems, you could sell them for pretty good money. Buuuuut, to get to that point, you pretty much need to get to the 5k and up watches. Most anything below that will depreciate quite a bit more. That's just a general rule, certainly not a definitely rule. 

I've actually always wanted a scale car collection as well but the space required I knew would be a tough sell. Maybe one day I'll get into that as well...like I need more hobbies! Hahaha

[oldshurst442]

17 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

Thank you! I got lucky with the timing and with the in-laws owning a jewelry store, I only paid cost for it. It is used but there were zero scratches/scuffs on it and it was only a year old at the time. I think it's a 2019 and I got it in 2020. 

They came across a customer wanting to sell it to them, they bought it to sell it and when I saw it, it was exactly what I wanted. Stainless case and bracelet, white gold fluted bezel, blue dial with diamond indices, and the jubilee bracelet. All of those were exactly what I wanted and I more than likely would have never came across that combo without paying a few grand more

The bolded parts.   In a sarcastic, jealous tone.

"wooooooo. lucky for you!"

 

No. Seriously.   Good on you.   Paying cost.  On a Rolex.  Lately, Rolexes, no matter what vintage go for a mint above and beyond fair market value.  

And your Rolex aint exactly old either.  A couple of years old is still new to me.  ESPECIALLY if no scuff marks are on it.  Its pretty hard to scratch up the crystal glass as well.

So Id say, a very smart and awesome purchase.   I am positive you ARE enjoying it.  So...ENJOY IT!!!

[ccap41]

1 hour ago, oldshurst442 said:

The bolded parts.   In a sarcastic, jealous tone.

"wooooooo. lucky for you!"

 

No. Seriously.   Good on you.   Paying cost.  On a Rolex.  Lately, Rolexes, no matter what vintage go for a mint above and beyond fair market value.  

And your Rolex aint exactly old either.  A couple of years old is still new to me.  ESPECIALLY if no scuff marks are on it.  Its pretty hard to scratch up the crystal glass as well.

So Id say, a very smart and awesome purchase.   I am positive you ARE enjoying it.  So...ENJOY IT!!!

Hahaha thanks! 

Yeah, legitimately lucky because I believe I paid 6k for it and the MSRP was 10,500 at the time and there's still so much demand for it, the asking prices are still north of MSRP, by a couple grand. 

Same exact watch, USED they're asking for 12,500.

https://www.chrono24.com/rolex/rolex-steel-datejust-36-watch---fluted-bezel---blue-diamond-dial---jubilee-bracelet-126234--id26444272.htm

Oh no, this one isn't old at all. My other one was the older one that was 90's I believe. It looked just like this but it didn't have the jubilee bracelet. It had the standard/cheaper 3 link bracelet. 

[oldshurst442]

[oldshurst442]

[oldshurst442]

[David]

Amazing all the Clock choices and yet how little they really have changed in the centuries since Clocks started to be made.

[oldshurst442]

Original

Reissue

[ccap41]

1 hour ago, oldshurst442 said:

Original

Reissue

Those are some pretty sharp looking watches right there! 

[oldshurst442]

 

 

I just realized...a very high end watch was inspired by a Bulova Computron from the 60s and 70s... A digital watch of all things.     

I like very high end watches, but an old money millionnaire once told me back when I opened up my restaurant once told me:  Its money wasted to buy expensive watches.  Cheap watches tell time as well as, if not better than the most expensive ones.   They could be just as stylish.  And a gentleman NEVER shows his time piece.  Its humbly hidden under his shirt sleeve or pocket (pocket watch).   

And I tend to follow that logic more often than not.  

 

 

 

 

[Robert Hall]

Always liked Tag Heuers, back when I wore watches looked at them closely...the problem with many higher end watches is tend to be large and not look good on my skinny wrists... (I've been told I have a Mr Potato Head physique..).    Back in the 00s had a coworker who I think had a watch addiction..he was buying new watches constantly, from a variety of brands..I think he had about 200 watches in 2005..  

I've always liked silver watches with blue backgrounds, like this Tag Formula 1 (plus being an F1 fan makes this appealing).   I have a Skagen that is nice and thin and the same color scheme. 

 

 

I like this new Timex Pam Am tribute...love the classic Pan Am logo and the plane motif... 

Edited August 31, 2023 by Robert Hall

[oldshurst442]

Those are cool themed watches for sure!!!   And while Tag's hue of blue for the Formula One is a classy choice lending itself in being a very nice watch, this is where my philosophy of staying classy goes haywire. 

(Not too take anything away from your watch choice @Robert Hall, but showing you guys how my twisted mind works sometimes)

  Ive mentioned several times that I dont like gaudy watches or saying things like a gentleman stays humble and doesnt reveal his watch etc...

But like my colour choices in muscle cars and exotics and  actually,exotic hyper cars not being my thing...

I somteimes veer away from that "righteous" path and say shyte like:

Sure, that Formula One Tag with a blue face is classy  but in my funky world BECAUSE its a Formula One themed watch, I think Id like a more flashy Formula One Tag:

 

 

The face has got the same blue hue, but with more pizzaz.  Extra complications and a gulf livery stripe to it.  

Why would I contradict myself like that?

Because I dont know...

In my head, Formula One is extravagantly rich and arrogant.  A watch that is based on that entity needs to copy that.

With that being said, that Pan Am Timex is PERFECT!!!    Id rock that watch and wear it daily! 

[Robert Hall]

32 minutes ago, oldshurst442 said:

Those are cool themed watches for sure!!!   And while Tag's hue of blue for the Formula One is a classy choice lending itself in being a very nice watch, this is where my philosophy of staying classy goes haywire. 

(Not too take anything away from your watch choice @Robert Hall, but showing you guys how my twisted mind works sometimes)

  Ive mentioned several times that I dont like gaudy watches or saying things like a gentleman stays humble and doesnt reveal his watch etc...

But like my colour choices in muscle cars and exotics and  actually,exotic hyper cars not being my thing...

I somteimes veer away from that "righteous" path and say shyte like:

Sure, that Formula One Tag with a blue face is classy  but in my funky world BECAUSE its a Formula One themed watch, I think Id like a more flashy Formula One Tag:

 

 

The face has got the same blue hue, but with more pizzaz.  Extra complications and a gulf livery stripe to it.  

 

I like that Gulf Livery watch...a very LeMans endurance racing theme instead of F1..