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Who's got a nice watch? Traditional watches only, no smartwatches please.
- Thread starter JW8725
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Two lovely timepieces and thanks for sharing.
No, @Dowjohnny, personally, I don't have any (individual) insurance on my Omega; it is on my wrist all of the time, and I have had it for six years.
Yeah i think i will just take the risk of lifeThese watches are meant to be worn every day and not to be worried about.
I daresay that if I had something such as a Patek Philippe, then, yes, I would insure it, and yes, would probably hardly wear it.
But, you know, to my mind, that sort of misses the point of the thing: An exquisite timepiece is crafted to be able to tell the time, not to be hidden away in aback vault as an investment to be handed on.
And many of the really high end watches are beautiful as well as functional. While I am not sure that I would find myself in wholehearted agreement with with John Keats when he remarked that "Beauty is truth, truth beauty - that is all ye know on earth and all ye need to know", I do think that allowing yourself to appreciate and enjoy objects of beauty adds enormously to one's quality of life.
And that also means using them to do that which they were designed to do, - and appreciating and enjoying that - even if they age, or break, or get stolen.
Besides, it is possible to wear a high end watch, discreetly.
For all Moon Watch lovers, or perhaps even for those who are not......
This is an Omega Speedmaster Professional 'Moonwatch', model ST 145.0022. Stainless steel 42mm case, with the Omega cal. 861 manual-winding chronograph - based on the superb Lemania movement. This is the second of the two base 'Moonwatch' movements - known as the Lemania 1873.
These 60's Speedmaster 'Moonwatches' are now highly sought after. Note: This model with known serial # is recognised as a 'pre-moon'. (Moon landing was 2 years later in July 1969).
This particular watch I purchased used 16 years ago, and has been documented by Omega as manufactured and delivered in 1967 - hence 'pre-moon'. Serial # 30'992'xxx.
It's tempting to say, "They don't come any better". But they do! Stay tuned.........
This is an Omega Speedmaster Professional 'Moonwatch', model ST 145.0022. Stainless steel 42mm case, with the Omega cal. 861 manual-winding chronograph - based on the superb Lemania movement. This is the second of the two base 'Moonwatch' movements - known as the Lemania 1873.
These 60's Speedmaster 'Moonwatches' are now highly sought after. Note: This model with known serial # is recognised as a 'pre-moon'. (Moon landing was 2 years later in July 1969).
This particular watch I purchased used 16 years ago, and has been documented by Omega as manufactured and delivered in 1967 - hence 'pre-moon'. Serial # 30'992'xxx.
It's tempting to say, "They don't come any better". But they do! Stay tuned.........
What a beautiful watch and thanks for sharing.
Occasionally, I have seen some of these for sale on some of the reputable watch forums, and agree with you, they are indeed a most beautiful watch.
Enjoy it, and I hope you wear it - I would if I owned such a timepiece.
It's probably the watch I wear the most frequently. And I sometimes wonder if that's wise, but it's become almost part of me, and is a pleasure to own & wear. I wouldn't get the same amount of pleasure if it was always locked inside a safe.
These Speedmasters are waterproof, but I take mine nowhere near water, knowing that the rubbers seals around the crown, the plungers, and also that seal the inside of the rear case, can and do deteriorate with age.
Strangely enough, it took me quite some time to get to like the Omega Speedmaster. Twenty or so years ago I was shopping for a new watch in the Lebanon. One tiny little store in the back streets showed me a new Speedmaster. I knew virtually nothing about them then. I can't recall what the model was or the year, but it was brand new. I tried it on. It didn't look too good, and didn't feel too good either. A bit like the very first time a tried yogurt in the 50's (natural of course) - I didn't like it.
So suffice to say that these watches are most definitely an acquired taste. Once tried you yearn for more.
For someone who has set their eyes on a relatively high-end automatic watch for regular wear, I'd say they'd probably be disappointed with a manual-winding Speedmaster. This is a watch you have to be prepared to integrate with. As I believe I mentioned in a previous post, it's most certainly not a wear-& forget watch.
On that particular watch shopping trip 20 years ago, I ended up buying a Seiko kinectic battery/capacitor watch. Not a good choice imho. It no longer charges, and I haven't worn it for years.
These Speedmasters are waterproof, but I take mine nowhere near water, knowing that the rubbers seals around the crown, the plungers, and also that seal the inside of the rear case, can and do deteriorate with age.
Strangely enough, it took me quite some time to get to like the Omega Speedmaster. Twenty or so years ago I was shopping for a new watch in the Lebanon. One tiny little store in the back streets showed me a new Speedmaster. I knew virtually nothing about them then. I can't recall what the model was or the year, but it was brand new. I tried it on. It didn't look too good, and didn't feel too good either. A bit like the very first time a tried yogurt in the 50's (natural of course) - I didn't like it.
So suffice to say that these watches are most definitely an acquired taste. Once tried you yearn for more.
For someone who has set their eyes on a relatively high-end automatic watch for regular wear, I'd say they'd probably be disappointed with a manual-winding Speedmaster. This is a watch you have to be prepared to integrate with. As I believe I mentioned in a previous post, it's most certainly not a wear-& forget watch.
On that particular watch shopping trip 20 years ago, I ended up buying a Seiko kinectic battery/capacitor watch. Not a good choice imho. It no longer charges, and I haven't worn it for years.
I agree with you. A safe is no place for a good watch, one that has been designed to work and to tell the time. Wear it, use it for what it was designed to do, and enjoy the pleasure of having such an elegant and beautifully designed piece on your wrist.
Thanks for sharing the backstory, too.
I spent several years admiring the Omega Deville I am wearing now, and have enjoyed it from around two hours after I first bought it.
I have no separate insurance on my timepieces, but have the details well documented in case I ever have to make a claim on my house-content policy. They are also kept securely, and never all at the same location.
Here's a watch brand one doesn't see every day. Russian Raketa.
These are from Russia's oldest watch factory in Saint Petersburg, where they have been manufacturing since the early part of the 18th century. Raketa meaning 'Rocket' - with it's origins from the early manned spaceflights associated with Yuri Gagarin, appears to have become one of their most famous brands.
I purchased these during a business trip to Vietnam in 2002. I was rummaging around some tiny shops in the backstreets of Hanoi (see exact location in next photo), and these caught my eye, especially the perpetual calendar feature.
They were new, probably dating from the 80's, no boxes, but wrapped in waxed paper. I wound them up (these have a manual mechanical movement), saw they ran well, and was surprised at the low price.
I see that identical watches sell for up to $99 on a popular auction site (I guess $100 looks far too expensive)! These are frequently advertised as 'rare' or 'very rare', which imho is nonsense, as these were certainly produced in their millions. An interesting conversation piece for sure, but I wouldn't put their worth at more than $30 each.
These are from Russia's oldest watch factory in Saint Petersburg, where they have been manufacturing since the early part of the 18th century. Raketa meaning 'Rocket' - with it's origins from the early manned spaceflights associated with Yuri Gagarin, appears to have become one of their most famous brands.
I purchased these during a business trip to Vietnam in 2002. I was rummaging around some tiny shops in the backstreets of Hanoi (see exact location in next photo), and these caught my eye, especially the perpetual calendar feature.
They were new, probably dating from the 80's, no boxes, but wrapped in waxed paper. I wound them up (these have a manual mechanical movement), saw they ran well, and was surprised at the low price.
I see that identical watches sell for up to $99 on a popular auction site (I guess $100 looks far too expensive)! These are frequently advertised as 'rare' or 'very rare', which imho is nonsense, as these were certainly produced in their millions. An interesting conversation piece for sure, but I wouldn't put their worth at more than $30 each.
I got into watches almost 20 years ago, and my "gateway" watch was a Vostok. Online watch selling was in its infancy, and there were only a few online resellers representing Vostok, Raketa, Strela, Poljot, etc. You could get a nice manual Vostok for $25, and an auto Amphibia for $30 shipped. Prices have since doubled/tripled. You could get a Poljot with a 3133 auto chrono movement (Okeah, Sturmanskie) for less than $200 if you looked carefully. Not anymore! Ever since the watch craze hit, and the internet exploded with watch forums (PMWF, WatchUSeek, etc.) bargains are much harder to come by.
No insurance. Just a safe in the wall.
As I only have one such watch, an Omega, it is on my wrist.
My Tissot simply sits on my bedside locker, though my brother might yet inherit it.
Yesterday, in the same reputable, family owned, (and old, I have a vague memory of having read the date of 1908 somewhere), jewellery store where I bought my Omega Deville six years ago, I came across a Rolex Datejust.
To my surprise, it was at the back of the small display cabinet reserved for pre-owned, or older watches, watches which have been reduced in price. It was tucked away at the back of the display cabinet, - somewhat obscured by others, and I had difficulty making out some of the details of the watch. Actually, I assumed that it was a pre-owned watch, and had been offered as part payment for a newer model (as sometimes happens).
To my surprise, it was 'new' (if a watch that has already spent six years in a shop can be classed as 'new'), and carried a decent reduction (between 20-25%) on the price of a 'new'' model. It had been placed in the 'reduced' or 'pre-owned' watch section because it hadn't been bought in six years, and they needed space to display newer Rolexes.
Anyway, the watch itself, when I requested that it be taken out so that I could examine it, and try it out on my wrist, turned out to be a 116200, with a plain (not bevelled) bezel, a black dial/face, and a Jubilee strap. At 36mm, it is the (relatively recent) classic old Datejust.
Now, I have to say that it sat rather beautifully on my wrist - my Omega Deville is a 34mm, so this is a size I am used to. I won't deny that I wasn't tempted.
To my surprise, it was at the back of the small display cabinet reserved for pre-owned, or older watches, watches which have been reduced in price. It was tucked away at the back of the display cabinet, - somewhat obscured by others, and I had difficulty making out some of the details of the watch. Actually, I assumed that it was a pre-owned watch, and had been offered as part payment for a newer model (as sometimes happens).
To my surprise, it was 'new' (if a watch that has already spent six years in a shop can be classed as 'new'), and carried a decent reduction (between 20-25%) on the price of a 'new'' model. It had been placed in the 'reduced' or 'pre-owned' watch section because it hadn't been bought in six years, and they needed space to display newer Rolexes.
Anyway, the watch itself, when I requested that it be taken out so that I could examine it, and try it out on my wrist, turned out to be a 116200, with a plain (not bevelled) bezel, a black dial/face, and a Jubilee strap. At 36mm, it is the (relatively recent) classic old Datejust.
Now, I have to say that it sat rather beautifully on my wrist - my Omega Deville is a 34mm, so this is a size I am used to. I won't deny that I wasn't tempted.
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I hear you. Lately, I was tempted two times. Struggled, tried to use the sometimes efficient selective memory trick. Worked for some months. Then I failed.
I hear you. Lately, I was tempted two times. Struggled, tried to use the sometimes efficient selective memory trick. Worked for some months. Then I failed.
Well, selective memory it'll have to be for now; having said that, it did sit very nicely on my wrist, and the salesperson was awfully attentive. Hm.
At my request, she even fetched the more 'modern' navy dial face version so that I could compare them. In theory, I love navy dial faces on a watch - in practice, the black is far nicer.
In fact, I almost wish I had never laid eyes on the thing.
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Oh, undoubtedly.
Actually, I fear that I will visit the shop again, and again and again. Torturing myself each time.
For what it is worth, I spent three years debating the purchase of my Omega Deville, and used to head in to the shop to try it on every so often, just to remind myself of how nice it looked on my wrist.
However, I did not expect a subdued, classic, elegant Datejust to look quite as at home and comfortable and appropriate on my wrist as yesterday's watch did.
@Scepticalscribe:
I know the feeling. In the 90s, in Geneva I used to have my own walking route to clear my head. There was a TAG Boutique just in the middle. For many years I stopped and walked in each day, but could not find the one I really liked. I bought numerous watches from different manufactures. Years passed and more than a decade later I found an online auction for a TAG HEUER Pilot Specialist. That was it. Now it is in my collection.
I know the feeling. In the 90s, in Geneva I used to have my own walking route to clear my head. There was a TAG Boutique just in the middle. For many years I stopped and walked in each day, but could not find the one I really liked. I bought numerous watches from different manufactures. Years passed and more than a decade later I found an online auction for a TAG HEUER Pilot Specialist. That was it. Now it is in my collection.
One of my favorite Tagheuer from my collection.. Limited edition 300 SLR.
Wow, it is even a HEUER (TAG acquired Heuer in 1985)! Much more valuable amongst collectors. Congrats!
Will post them one by one...that's my collection ...Tag, Montblac, pathek philip and more Tag...
Will post them one by one...that's my collection ...Tag, Montblac, pathek philip and more Tag...
Very impressive collection; could you please tell us what is actually in he collection?
Anyway, I am looking forward to seeing them photographed individually, not least because I am unable to read any of the labels on the actual watches themselves.