Any other watch collectors out there?

[BlackrazorNZ]

Evening,

(Hope this post isn't against forum rules or anything, I had a read and couldn't find any, but apologies if so).

As I mentioned in my intro post, I'm slowly winding down my watch collecting hobby I've been focused on for the last 6-7 years, and starting to focus more on barbecuing and the associated equipment.

Still love watches though, so I'm interested if anyone else there shares that hobby / passion?

Met some amazing people through watch collecting, and a fair few dweebs as well. You get a lot of people who view it as an opportunity to show off their disposable income (and sometimes their non-disposable!), but the good ones are the ones who, like me, share a passion for mechanics and love the concept of a tiny little precision engineered machine ticking away tirelessly on your wrist.

At last count I've bought and sold about 183 watches, being what in the hobby is known as a 'serial flipper' - someone who buys a watch, keeps it for a while to enjoy it, then sells it off to bankroll the next one. After a while (and a bit of pain) you learn how to do that without costing much money, and sometimes even making a little bit But that's gone a bit tired after so long, so I've settled down with the 7 I just can't bear to get rid of and I think I'll call it a day at that.

Anyway, just in case there are others like me out there, thought I might share some of what I've been through over the past 6-7 years or so. These are some of my favourites

[Mudbeaver]

I’ve always loved the mechanics of clocks/watches, but have too much of a gun collecting problem to afford both, I have a old grandfather clock I sometimes take the top off just to watch the movement

[RonB]

I bought a Rolex GMT master in Hong Kong somewhere around 1972. The dealer was a US Navy approved seller, so I knew it was genuine. I paid ~ $150 for it then and wore it for years, but finally just stuck it in a drawer when it stopped working. The estimate to repair it was $300. I wound up selling it in non working condition ~ 40 years after I bought it and got $300 for it. I don't know if that was a good deal or not, but I was satisfied.

[Donw]

Very nice. I understand the passion. I took up watch repair and building as a hobby when I retired from dentistry I guess to just keep up my skills manipulating small objects. Quite enjoyable. Just built 3 custom watches for my sons as a way of saying thanks to them for growing up so well.

[HawkerXP]

One question. What is a watch? I thought those things in the picture were used to remind pilots which hand was which! The heavy hand is the left hand......

[SmokeyGator]

I like automatics. I’m DONE with batteries. But watches aren’t cheap, and I use them to tell the time more so than as jewelry / accessories.

But I would like to get an automatic with tritium insets on the hands and waterproof to say 100 meters.

[CaptainMike]

Beautiful watches. G Shocks were the ones I used, but always with an analog face and sweep second hand (needed for assessing vital signs in patients). I retired in 2014 and haven't worn a watch since then.

[Mosca]

I have a Rolex Datejust that I won years ago as an incentive at work. I would never buy something like that, but now that I have it I would never part with it, either.

Interestingly, a new one costs about twice what they did when I got it. I had it cleaned and refurbed last year, cost in the neighborhood of a new bbq toy to do that, but now it’s set for another 10 years or so.

[Mr. Bones]

I collect antique Baby/Big Bens, an also some antique pocket watches.

Oops, almost fergot to mention, I also have several antique Telechron, an GE sychronous clocks...

[Karon Adams]

I don't do watches. frankly, for some reason, I can't stand anything on my wrists. One reason I'll never commit a crime. hand cuffs <shudder> and having to wear one of those plastic bracelets like the hospital things <EEK!>

anyway, I DO love the precision work that goes into a fine watch or clock.

I HAVE always wanted to have a particular style of clock made for myself. One that shows the Earth's Northern hemisphere from the POV of above the North Pole (gotta keep an eye on Santa!). I want to set it up as if the sun were at the bottom and, around the Earth, a representation of the Moon. the globe would turn on a 24 hour schedule, with the 6 "o'Clock position always being, actually, where Noon occurs. as well, I want the Moon representation in the proper position to show the relative positions of the Moon to Earth, thus showing the moon phases as we would see them.

HAven't been able to find anyone to do one for me. But I DO have my Galileo moon phase clock, so, at least, there's that.

Watchmaking to some seems humble, these days. and, sadly, many people are moving away from mechanical watches. that's sad, IMHO. they are beautiful, precise, complex devices that, with clocks of all types, are the very definitions of scientific progress in the human race.

Clocks. AMAZING things.

[Huskee]

Evening,

(Hope this post isn't against forum rules or anything, I had a read and couldn't find any, but apologies if so).

Nope, as long as your post isn't about religion or politics, spam, inappropriate adult content, nudity, etc, then you're good! This is precisely what General Discussion is for!

And, I'd definitely be a watch collector if I could afford it. You have some very beautiful pieces! I've been trying to find a white (or silver) watch with an orange face and white marks & hands. Must have day & date. I have been very unlucky. Found a couple but they were DCed.

[BlackrazorNZ]

I've been trying to find a white (or silver) watch with an orange face and white marks & hands. Must have day & date. I have been very unlucky. Found a couple but they were DCed.

Seiko Orange Gen II Monster?

Very well regarded. Reasonably readily available and cheap(ish) too.

https://www.longislandwatch.com/Seik...p/srp309k1.htm

[Spinaker]

Well I am not much of a collector, but I have a Tag Heuer Aqua Racer. I love this watch, it was given to me by my father after graduation from college. I was blown away. I love wearing it, built like a tank and it works great on dives.

[Karon Adams]

I like sundials.

[Bumby]

BlackrazorNZ Cool thread. Thanks for sharing your expertise. You have a great collection. I've only had one watch since childhood, a nice Tissot that my parents purchased for me when I was in college. Been wearing that watch everyday since (at least when I'm not in the backyard smoking meat). I've recently been thinking about buying a good, gold watch for when I wear gold plated cufflinks. Would you have a recommendation? Goal would be to spend no more than several hundred to $1000.