Once upon a time, there was a gorgeous vintage (1968) Grand Seiko 61GS that I owned – and loved – for quite a while. I’d had it lovingly restored to virtually NOS condition, but circumstances sadly meant that I had to let it go. In fact, it went to a friend, but he also found that he had to move it on some months ago. That might have been the end of the story.
It wasn’t, however, and with a little help I tracked it down to it’s then-current owner. Weeks of correspondence followed but my persistence paid off and culminated in the watch being handed back to its “rightful” owner yesterday.
Losing this one was without doubt my biggest watch-related regret. The 61GS was probably Grand Seiko’s finest vintage hour (pun intended) save for the Very Fine Adjusted, which was based on the same engine anyway. It houses a gorgeous 36,000bph high-beat movement in the most classic of case/dial combinations, with sumptuous applied indices and logo on a sunburst dial.
To say I’m overjoyed would be an understatement.
Okay, so it’s not a 6105 as worn and made (even more) famous by Martin Sheen in one of the best movies of all time. But it is a Seiko 6309-7040, dating from the 70’s but with some very modern twists. It doesn’t hack and it doesn’t handwind; and of course it’s not a purists watch. But I like it a lot.
Orange is the new black…
In one week, “my” Grand Seiko 61GS (6146-8000) will be back with its rightful owner.
A while ago, I was planning on attending a TZ-UK GTG, but found that – at the last minute – I had to cry off due to other commitments. However, for a while leading up to that point I’d been going through something of a painful realisation. There was no doubt that my collection contained some lovely watches; but even acknowledging that to be true, I looked at my watch box and failed to find a single piece that I’d seriously want to show anyone; not a single piece made me proud to own it. I could accept the inherent value sitting there, and I could appreciate the quality of engineering required to produce them; but there was no emotional connection with them at all.
This started me thinking about what I really wanted from (and in) my watch collection. One thing I knew was that I really didn’t like the newer super-cased Rolex models; in fact, I subsequently traded my brand new GMTC for a rather gorgeous 16710, but I knew after a short while that I needed to go a further step if I was going to get any joy from this hobby of ours, So, in a relatively short space of time, out went my Rolex GMT, my Zenith Ultra Thin and my Speedy Pro Moonwatch. In their place came watches from 1977, 1972 and 1981, all of which are icons in their own right.
Essentially, then, I’ve decided that I’ll no longer buy modern. I know that vintage isn’t to everyone’s taste, and I can still appreciate the newer watches that I’ve owned and that I see in photos on here every day. They just don’t seem to… call to me, if you know what I mean. I can, and will, continue to admire them on others wrists – I just don’t particularly want them on mine.
So, after all the angst and no little money lost, here’s my collection as it stands today. I’m also just concluding a deal to bring my 1968 vintage Grand Seiko 61GS back to its rightful home, and to say that I’m pleased would be something of an understatement!
In fact, I’ve NEVER been so happy with my watches.
Rolex 1680 – 1977
Rolex 16014 – 1981
Omega Speedmaster Mk II – 1972
Oh, and a couple for knocking about in 🙂
There are some changes going on around here – I’ve finally given in to my vintage cravings, and this is the first of some incomings – a Submariner 1680 from 1977. Beautiful patina on the dial and hands, and a very clean top hat plexi to add to it’s loveliness.
Watch this space (pun intended for some other imminent arrivals, all of which will be older than this one.
I don’t need a reason…
Hmmm… they say that change is the only constant these days, and I’m beginning to think that they’re right! Still, it’s pretty well-balanced and what’s not to love?
Roland Kemmner isn’t exactly an unknown quantity, being responsible for the production of a host of Precista watches both for Fricker and as an independent. It was therefore no surprise that his 007 Limited Edition has a fantastic build quality – it feels solid and robust, and the detail really is very good indeed. This one arrived on a Bond NATO, but I’ve switched it to a black Rhino and anticipate wearing it on the beach and in the pool if I actually manage to book a family holiday for the summer this year.
I never really fancied a Subalike before, but my recent down-valuing exercise has reignited the joy of owning something other than high-end, top marque watches. This one is… well, a bit of fun.
Having sold some treasures of late I wanted something different to wear as a change, and also for the summer – last year I bought an Ocean 7 for the same purpose, and this year, again, I wanted something a little quirky. I toyed with Seiko’s and Casio’s, but they weren’t doing it for me. Then, when I was giving up the ghost, this beauty appeared on a forum in the UK and I snapped it up almost instantly. It’s a kind of cross between a Panerai and an Anonimo Polluce and it has a tangible 50’s look to it. Bearing in mind it was about fifty quid more than my Casio GW-5000 it’s great VFM, and whilst it’s about as large as I can possibly go (44mm, but hefty) it’s very comfortable and I love it. Oh, and it has magnificent lume!
The Magrette Moana Pacific Diver – from new Zealand’s only watch manufacturer… limited edition of 500 pieces, 500m water resistance, double-domed sapphire crystal with AR and a 21-jewel Miyota movement!
I wasn’t expecting any changes having posted the last update, but circumstances dictated some serious watch husbandry. Still, these provide a lovely variety, and there’s one for every possible occasion…
I’ve wanted a Speedy pro for a long, long time, and my feeling has always been that if it’s to be a Speedy Pro, then it simply has to be the moon watch. The so-called sapphire sandwich is a nice alternative, but the hesalite crystal and solid, engraved case back is the one and only original. The watch that was worn on the first moon landing, and the only watch “passed” as suitable to be worn in space.
Finding one dating to the year 2000, but in mint condition, was something of a bonus!
I do like this watch. Here it is on a brown crocodile strap – the Zenith dark brown alligator is ordered, but some weeks away from delivery (unfortunately).
Oh, and gratuitous movement shot!
Yes, it’s that time again…
For a period of months, I’ve been searching for the perfect dress watch. Perfect for me, I mean, of course.
For a while, my craving was sated by the Omega Aqua Terra with the blue hands and markers; eventually, though, that one was moved on. It was succeeded by the rather beautiful Grand Seiko that almost fulfilled the purpose completely. To be honest, I don’t know why it was “almost”, but it was, and that too has now found another home. More recently, I owned a rather lovely Oyster Perpetual Date – for a day. I loved it but knew the moment it went on my wrist that it wasn’t the answer.
Over recent weeks, my head has been turned by a couple of watches that I keep stumbling across. The first was a Junghans Max Bill, that appealed because of the simplicity of its design; and the second was the JLC Grande Ultra Thin – perfect, but just too expensive. This watch is almost a hybrid of the two, so I suppose it shouldn’t be a surprise that I wanted it the moment I saw it.
With all of that in mind, I give you, then, my new dress watch – the Zenith Elite Ultra Thin. Like the GMTIIC and Striking 10th, it won’t be going anywhere in a hurry.
Half Past The Hour 