Reply With QuoteWelcome to the forum. The Bentima is something special.
Thought I'd take the time to introduce myself to the community and put up a few pictures of my watch collection such as it is. I would say that I only have a couple of watches that have any real significance in terms of value and collectability, but all the watches I own mean something personally to me.
This first watch was the first watch I bought for myself (if memory serves it was bought from my mother's mail order catalogue). I think it was around 1981. I thought I was the business. I remember being tempted by the dual style digital/analog watch, but ultimately went with this one. I keep meaning to buy a new strap for this.
This next watch is a beat up old Tag Heuer 2000 series, I can't find any of my receipts for this one, but from memory I think would have been bought in the mid 90's. My parents had a small insurance policy which matured around that time and they gave me the money, saying that they weren't going to leave much in their will so I should take this money as my inheritance!! If I'd been more knowledgeable about watches at the time I wouldn't have bought this piece, but there you go. Although it's a quartz piece with the 'Tag' brand it has special sentimental significance to me. Unlikely I'll ever wear it again, but fond memories when it was my daily wear.
Around 2008 I had a change in my employment circumstances and had a little more money readily available. Working in the oil industry I worked closely with a couple of drilling engineers who wore some wonderful watches and were both extremely knowledgeable and keen to talk watches at any given time. After a bit of research, I decided to invest in the Speedmaster Professional 3570.50.00 on a bracelet. It's currently on a nylon Nato as per this picture, but I'm not feeling the love for that, so it'll either go back to the bracelet or onto a (Non Omega) leather strap I purchased for it a couple of years ago. I bought it in 2009 and wore it almost every day until earlier this year. I adore this watch, I love its history, I love the size and every time I look at the dial, I remember what attracted me to it in the first place.
At the end of 2011 my father passed away and whilst we were helping my mother to come to terms with things, she suggested that myself, my brother and each of my Dads grandsons take a watch of his. Now my father never had any money to spend on watches (although he spent a fair amount of time looking in jewellers windows when waiting for my Mam whilst out shopping!), but I always remembered him wearing this next watch if ever he went out socialising. It's a Bentima Star, small face, tiny strap, not worth anything in monetary terms, but every time I look at it I can picture my Dad wearing it (usually waiting for my Mam to get ready before they went out). I tend to wear it on Fathers Day, or his Birthday as a gesture of remembrance. I'd like to change the strap to something more suitable to my wrist, but part of me also wants to leave it as is.
As well as the Bentima, I got this old Tissot watch head which is in dire need of some TLC, but given that the face is so small, I'll never wear it. I don't know much about it other than it's a Tissot, it's an automatic, and it says antimagnetic on the dial. I've toyed with the idea of buying some watch tools and opening it up to have a play about with, maybe I'll do that soon.
At the start of this year I came into a bit of 'disposable' income and thoughts turned to purchasing a nice watch. This next watch is now my pride and joy and cost more than I ever thought I'd spend on a watch. My brother has a number of Rolexes, amongst them a GMT, a Sub and a DJ. Having tried them all on, I loved the look of the GMT, and when I saw photos of the BLNR, I knew that was the one I wanted. Speaking with my old drilling engineer friend he suggested Bulang&Sons for some nice leather NATO straps. I purchased one and wore it for a few weeks before going back to the bracelet a couple of weeks ago. I hear a lot of people comment about how prone the PCL's are to getting scratches, but for me, this watch is my daily wear, won't be getting sold and is gaining character daily. Love it.
Having bought a nice watch I did the worst thing possible and joined a watch forum!! This has resulted in too much temptation, and throws up endless possibilities for the next watch purchase.
Over the summer we were travelling to both Barcelona & Rome on a couple of long weekend City Breaks and discretion got the better of me with regard to what I was going to wear on my wrist. Having heard all the horror stories about pickpockets & muggings in both Rome and on Las Ramblas I was not going to wear the newly purchased Rolex. Having seen this next watch on the TZ forum, I ordered one up; a Steinhart Ocean One Vintage Military. What a great watch for the money, something that I can wear without fear of attracting unwanted attention and also something that can be worn for all those odd-jobs around the house and garden.
I also bought a Vostok Komandirski, but there was a bit of a problem with the crown and I'm still waiting for the Russian post office/Meranom to return it.
And that brings me up to date. If you've made it this far, thanks for reading, all the best.
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Welcome to the forum
Thanks for sharing. The Bentima is great - I really like it and also how it brings back memories.
Welcome on board.
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Welcome on board.
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Welcome on board.
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Welcome on board.
Nice write-up and welcome aboard.
+1 for the look and significance of the Bentima.
Welcome.
Sorry but I cannot repeat it four times:-)
Welcome, nice collection.
Welcome and great collection . 👍
Hi and welcome to the forum
Welcome
Interesting selection of watches you have there - nice to read the stories behind them too
Excellent introduction and welcome. I see you've already realised that coming here is like buying an alcoholic a beer. I too have my Dad's old gold Record quartz watch, I replaced the leather strap as it was falling apart, the old one, well you just can't can you, is still sat next to the watch.
I love the Speedster used and brilliant. Welcome to the forum.
Welcome along ghu, brilliant first post and write up. Nice collection. Any thoughts on what's next?
Thanks for the warm welcome folks. Regarding the 'next' purchase, I have a pictorial list on my phone created from some of the wonderful images that grace each 'Friday' thread, and think it'll likely be something vintage and chronograph like a Heuer Autavia or Heuer Carrera with white face and dark sub-dials. Now if only I can convince my other half that we don't really need the BBQ Hut we've just ordered......
I enjoyed that. What size is the Tissot? Looks really good to me.
Welcome. Nice collection!
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Welcome to the forum, very nice collection, enjoy, Brian.
Great introduction and an awesome collection.
its a good idea to do an introductionOriginally Posted by ywl23n
The Tissot is really quite small, 30mm excl crown, 38mm lug to lug.
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Welcome to the forum !
your russian watch is not commun ! I saw exactly the same in an auction 2 years ago ;)
A nice varied collection and welcome to the forum.
Welcome!
Welcome to the forum, nothing wrong with a Tag 2000, I have a Heuer 2000 chronograph auto & still wear it quite a lot great little watch.
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