Reply With QuoteRe: hope the care and attention I took to developing it comes through?
It certainly does. Well done. It is a great group of watches.👍
Firstly an apology… I have been on here for well over 4 years and failed to pull together an introduction or SOTC. No introduction needed now I would guess, but, a SOTC is well overdue. I have wanted to create a SOTC before and even generated a few photographs for that purpose, but, always had a nagging feeling that something wasn’t quite right and that I had doubts over a couple of pieces or wanted to acquire something else, it was that ‘not quite settled’ feeling, so, consequently, I never really felt ready to share my collection with the community! I always appreciate reading others stories and peering at their pictures, so, felt I ought to do my bit, so, here goes.
Why watches? I remember as a 7 year old in in 1980 receiving a Bulova (I think?) digital watch from my grandparents who had just returned from a holiday in Hong Kong. This was undoubtedly THE coolest thing that I had ever received and instantly catapulted me to hero status in the playground of Avenue Road Junior School. Everyone flocked to me and watched in reverential silence as I demonstrated the date and light functions. It was a thoroughly modern piece and I was the first kid in the school to own one (I never did get a pair burgundy stay press trousers though). I recall once ruining a whole maypole dance routine as I had to check as my watch recorded 11:11:11… I was obsessed with it. I think many of us can probably relate to the word obsession as it’s likely that, to a greater or lesser degree, collectors of all things have obsession in their DNA. But, the obsession took a little while to fully manifest itself. moving on through the following few years I had a number forgettable and certainly increasingly common digital watches, a pop swatch a gold Tissot that I received for my graduation. I then, in my 20’s brought a silver dialled Tissot PRS200 and enjoyed it for a few years, but, although I liked watches, they didn’t really figure in my list of obsessions, which, over the years, have included mountain biking, Leicester City football Club and music - especially vinyl records and specifically Blue Note recordings.
It took the birth of my son in 2002 to start to ignite the interest. As I pushed him through Geneva airport on my way to visiting my family and saw an advert on the side of one of the long walkways ‘you never own a Patek Phillippe….’ So, I brought Panerai, a PAM 48 specifically. It only took me 4 years after seeing that ad in Geneva airport to parting with the cash. I wanted something nice, but, couldn’t justify it or afford it as a mid-level manager on ok money with two young mites to support. However, I got a promotion in 2006 that offered a bonus as part of my reward and I promised myself a nice watch. I did my research and went to a small jewellers on New Bond street and picked it up for the princely sum of £2,250. Theo deserves a nice watch to inherit, as we all know the girls get passsed down nice jewellery, and surely it’s not an unreasonable expectation that a boy should inherit something personal from his Dad? (Great justification, eh?). However, he’ll have to wait until he is 34, the age I was when I brought it. You are just about responsible by that age in my opinion.
I had a small amount of cash 4 ½ years ago and decided that I was going to get another light dialled watch to change around with Panerai, so, did my research and stumbled across a couple of watch forums to help with the search and the rest, as they say, is history. My tastes and preferences have developed hugely over that time, I’d guess that I have owned around 40-50 different watches in the last 4 ½ years, some staying days and some staying years. Modern or new; big and small; auto, hand wound, electric and quartz, I have tried them all. I made a few mistakes, and made some cracking ‘investments’. But, I am now, after a long time, confident in my taste and pleased with the collection I have accumulated. As you will see it’s mainly vintage and quite varied. Vintage watches have an unmatched charm and character, and I like that fact that others have worn and enjoyed them and wonder what they’ve been through in the 50 odd years that some of them have been about. I can justify this hobby to myself as I hate the thought of parting with cash and seeing the investment drain away. In the end I buy what I like, but, I try to buy sensibly and suspect that some of purchases I have made means that I’m possibly in the black overall. It’s not a critical element to my enjoyment of this hobby, but, it helps to know that I could flip most of it tomorrow and at least recover my investment back, if I really needed to.
Enough chat and onto the watches. I have put them in order of when I acquired them
First off the Panerai PAM 48. This needs little introduction, its 40mm and I wear it on leather, various NATO’s and a very shiny shiny bracelet when the mood strikes me. a lovely watch it is too. I don’t wear it as much as I might as I have lots of new ones to try on now and this was my only watch up until 4 ½ years ago, but, I still really like it and it’s a nice versatile watch and I like it very much, my only true keeper I’d guess.
Next up is this lovely Yema Valjoux 7733 chronograph - the ‘Big Eye’. I brought this as a fixer upper as I loved the condition of the dial and hands (wonderful rich patina) and all it needed was a service from Steve Burrage (lives about 3 miles away from me). A wonderful watch and (recurring theme) on the, ever so comfortable, black Tropic. I wear it relatively regularly and love its vintage charm, I can’t see myself ever parting with this.
The Omega Mariner 1 has a painfully retro case design and this is what makes this watch. I haven’t adjusted the time once since I have owned it (save the hour shift twice a year). A great watch, comfortable to wear and puts a smile on my face.
The Seiko 6458’s - I love these two watches. I brought the white on some time ago, but, when Ed335d offered me his orange one, I thought ‘why not?’. They feel diddy, despite the 38mm size, and make great summer watches. These all always treated to summer holidays and weekend breaks and I therefore associate sun and fun with this pair. Super accurate quartz and never miss a beat. Placed on 19mm Crown and Buckle NATO straps (I have a few to choose from)
The Seiko 6309. Despite its hulking 43mm case diameter, it sits quite nicely on my 6 ½” - 6 ¾” wrist. From my resident Seiko supplier Ed335d, it’s all original and has a lovely creamy patina. I, controversially, wear this with a leather bracelet – ‘oh the humanity’
Now for the dual crown super compressors (if you like these, please do look at a wonderful TZ thread - Show us your super compressors – a great thread, where people talk about watches!).
Starting with the wonderfully named Arsamatic, an auto movement, with a shiny mirrored finish centre dial, it’s a lovely thing to wear and I really like it. Arsa - Auguste Reymond SA – is a small Swiss brand that specialised in creating braille watches. This is an extremely rare thing and the only pictures I could discover on the internet were pictures of my watch!
Now for the two LIP Nautic Ski Super Compressors. I simply love these two watches, and searched high and low for good examples, and then nearly as much time for nice Tropic straps to place them on and eventually paid the money to Squinky (Bill Mahoney) in the USA who shipped them over for me, but, they set the dial off nicely and give the right finish to these wonderful watches. I pay a lot of care and attention the straps that I choose and have quite a collection of straps now and enjoy trying out different combinations. These two are wonderful and have battery operated movements, that seem to work pretty well. The grey LIP has a dial that changes so dramatically in the right light conditions and the depth of the ageing lume is something to behold. The coloured dial LIP is in near perfect condition, brought from a real gentleman in Antibes, who assured me that I would be delighted with the condition of the watch, he wasn’t wrong, it barely has a mark on it.
And now (a little different from the rest) my final purchase a NOMOS Club Campus. I got this from Stewarts, a great independent watch shop near where I live in Leicester. I was inspired by a shot of one these posted by another member here. Sold a couple of watches and saved some pennies and did something that I haven’t done since buying the Panerai, I brought a brand new watch. And what a lovely experience it was too. It has a wonderful dial, the coloured markers look ace and the orange sub dial really pops out to make it quite distinct and less ordinary. I like it very much and it looks great on the Nomos grey suede.
A group shot… 10 watches and that is my limit, something comes in and something has to go in order make space… Us obsessives need rules you know!
What next? To be honest, I am not sure. I would love a vintage Hamilton super compressor or a Rodania Waterman, but, they don’t come up too often, so, I think I will simply enjoy a fairly settled collection.
Well done for staying with me and I hope you enjoyed my collection? Not the most valuable collection you will ever see on here, but, I hope the care and attention I took to developing it comes through? Also, thanks to the TZ community for all your ideas, advice and inspiration over the years I have been here. I have met quite a number of you now in person and enjoy a regular spin around the various sections of the forum. In the main, it’s a friendly place and I enjoy coming on here. I suspect I will be here for some time to come!
All the best,
Ben
Last edited by Wolfie; 13th July 2017 at 22:15.
Re: hope the care and attention I took to developing it comes through?
It certainly does. Well done. It is a great group of watches.👍
I really enjoyed that. The "SOTC + Story" threads are always my favourites and that was a cracker.
I love those baby Seiko Divers. Will keep an eye out on SC...
He's finally bought a new car!Originally Posted by Wolfie
"A man of little significance"
Ha ha- now edited!!! I walked past a 520d in the work car park earlier... I'm blaming it on that!
I absolutely love that nomos!
Interesting post and collection. Ta.
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Great story and an interesting collection, those super compressors are great looking watches.
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Please don't take this the wrong way but I've been waiting for the right opportunity to tell you how much I like your lips.
Nice watches too
"A man of little significance"
Very nice.
Great story. Thanks for sharing. That Nomos is gorgeous.
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Big fan of the club, the second lip and the Yema. Any reason behind the red design on the Yema's chronograph dial?
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Thanks for posting this. I love every single one of them - looks like we have quite similar tastes.
My first new purchase in quite a while was a Nomos Club Campus as well, and like Simon I enjoy a good pair of Lips!
Loved reading that! Your enthusiasm comes through so much. Great bunch of watches too.
Lovely collection, the 6309 and the lip compressors steal the show for me.
Great collection. There seems to be little love for 40mm PAMs but that 48 is gorgeous, and looks to be in great condition.
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Fab collection. I love the compressors.
Thanks, that is what I wanted to achieve...!
I like 'em too and wanted to try and do a reasonable job, given it was my first attempt...
The Seikos really are nice and I enjoy wearing them!
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It's a belter! Not off the wrist yet!
Ooh Simon, people will talk! I wear them a lotPlease don't take this the wrong way but I've been waiting for the right opportunity to tell you how much I like your lips.
Nice watches too
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Ta!
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Ta!
It helps you distinguish the timer position more easily at a guess... it's a pure guess! But, maybe yema just decided that it looked cool!
Great collection Ben! Love the compressors; such a shame they're too small for me.
i did have a 520d once....
Thank you... you have the 36mm one I think? You probably inspired me to get mine!
Thank you... I do enjoy this hobby!
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The 6309 is me of the nicest examples I've seen... amd I could easily build a big collection of compressors!
The bezel has seen some action, but, considering how much it's been worn, it scrubs up ok!
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Thanks C !
Well, make your wrists shrink and you should be ok Ed! I think some 42mm might exist too.
Great collection Ben! Love the compressors; such a shame they're too small for me.
i did have a 520d once....
But, do you still have your 335d?
Long gone!
Great read Ben and your consideration comes through loud and clear. The Yema is lovely and that Arsamatic really should be donated to the forum to be worn on a weekly basis by the most Arsey member!
Will be watching to see if the 10 rule sticks as it's not easy when you've invested time in acquiring a nice vintage watch to let it go. Thanks for the (well overdue) post.
That is such an original collection of very interesting watches. I think they are all great, but especially the two Nautic-Ski super compressors. I would love one myself.
Dave
Yes, that's the one!
Nice collection.
I like all of them...
Congrats and thanks for share.
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Loved the story, and you've got a very uncommon collection, that grey Lip in particular looks amazing. Thanks for sharing!
Great write up my friend and long long over due.
Fantastic set of watches and the Nomos is absolutely lovely, the dial and numeral change is a great touch.
Keep enjoying Ben and looking forward to the next SOTC up in 2021.
Pitch
Great post. Very interesting collection.
Andy
Wanted - Damasko DC57
Who's in line for the Arsamatic this week?Great read Ben and your consideration comes through loud and clear. The Yema is lovely and that Arsamatic really should be donated to the forum to be worn on a weekly basis by the most Arsey member!
Will be watching to see if the 10 rule sticks as it's not easy when you've invested time in acquiring a nice vintage watch to let it go. Thanks for the (well overdue
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Thank you - you should try a super compressor…. Lovely size and lots of character
Great - you're welcome 😊
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It's not the standard collection - granted
Plenty of Seikos though!
The Lips are amazing!
Hi Paul…. Thanks
Yes…. Certainly well over due!
2021…. Will do my best :thumsup:
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Thanks Andy…. So nearly brought that Squale you had up a couple of months back…. Might've made an appearance on here!
The Nomos looks superb and relatively rare.
Nice collection. I really like the grey dailed Nautic. What a nice watch!
The Nomos are growing on me!
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Perm one from The Usual Suspects!
Name 'em…. I double dare you!
Thanks but discretion is the better part of valour! You could start the Arsamatic Award thread in the BP...
Lovely SOTC Wolfie and very much enjoyed the added comments/story. Really well planned out collection there, especially love the two LIP SC's.
Ah... the felllow Super Compressor enthusiast!
Glad you enjouee the SOTC and the associated ramblings...
The Lips seem to have been popular on this thread!
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