The force is strong in this one…

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Lately, I’ve been having a bit of a love affair with Omega’s from the ’70’s. In terms of design, I think it was the high-point of watchmaking and even though I wasn’t always an Omega fan I have always felt that they were at the forefront back then.

Following the recent acquisition of my Bienne-restored Mk II, when a similarly gorgeous Seamaster 145.024 became available the prospect of having a matching pair from 1972, both in pristine condition, was overwhelming. The two together are, frankly, amazing.

There’s been a fair amount of confusion regarding terminology surrounding this watch, but I think it’s safe to say that it’s the real “Jedi”. certainly, Chuck Maddox thought so when he wrote about it here. It’s rare, and it’s a fantastic addition to my existing vintage pieces.

I’m on cloud nine.

Mk II goodness

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Speedmaster Professional Mk II (Exotic Dial)

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Orange is the new black…

A collection goes vintage

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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 🙂

Another SOTC update

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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?

SOTC

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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…

The eagle has landed

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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!

Not everything in life is black and white…

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And sometimes a bit of colour is just what the doctor ordered.

When the watch fund runs dry

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Sometimes – actually, quite often – there’s not enough in the watch fund to scratch that perennial itch. And it doesn’t really matter how happy we are with the watches we have, that need for something new, something different, just won’t go away.

That, my friends, is the time to reach for the ubiquitous Bergeon. Because the next best thing to a new watch is an old watch that looks… well, new.

SOTC

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I don’t mind admitting that I posted this in similar form on the TZ forum too, but it deserves a place on here if only as a marker in my hobby/journey/obsession…

There have been a couple of SOTC posts of late that I found really enjoyable to read and – because I came to an interesting conclusion this morning – I was prompted to do something similar myself. The conclusion I came to, having not really bought anything of significance for some weeks – was that I’m really happy and settled with my collection. Without thinking too much about it, I seem to have covered all the bases, and every watch has it’s own specific part to play in the whole. So here they are, then, 5 months down the TZ road…

Rolex Submariner 16610 LV

The watch that started me on this perilous journey was the one and only Submariner. I’d always considered it an icon in the true sense of the word, and the only reason my original Sub was allowed to go was in order to fund the LV that is now my absolute keeper. Currently on the green bezel insert but I may just switch it for the black one that’s sitting in the box soon; and what I consider to be the perfect marriage of traditional size case with maxi dial. A truly wonderful watch.

Seiko Marine Master SBDX001

The first time I had an SBDX001 in my grasp, I got myself in a right old state about the bracelet clasp, and because it never quite felt perfect I mistakenly let it go. The moment I posted it off, though, I knew I was going to buy another and the replacement came all the way from Jakarta, BNIB and courtesy of Kucimo. This time I planned for it’s arrival, and a quick switch of clasps (I have no need whatsoever for a ratcheted divers extension, frankly) soon proved to be the answer. And for those who’ve never owned one, there’s a reason that those of us that sell them almost always buy them again. And again…

Omega Aqua Terra 2503.33.00

I’d never particularly been into Omega, but that changed when I saw a Broadarrow, with blue hands and markers, for the first time. It was bloody gorgeous, and I immediately set my heart on something similar, nearly crying when I missed this fairly scarce and discontinued Aqua Terra first time around! I got it in the end, though, and I regard it as the perfect dress watch in today’s less than dressy age.

Grand Seiko 61GS 6146-8000

My next Seiko was bought on pure, unstoppable impulse. Dating back to 1968, it’s one of the earlier-production Grand Seikos… the GS newbies have illustrious forefathers that have only recently been properly recognised as classics (at least by most of us). This one has had the lightest of polishes and looks as if it were bought yesterday, but its simple, understated design (or should I say its “grammar”) is completely timeless. I really do love it, and having worn it with anything from a suit to a pair of disgustingly old jeans I can vouch for it’s total adaptability.

Casio 110QS-37B

Another impulse buy, but when you get an opportunity to acquire an iconic watch from the year 1980, in unworn and pristine condition, and for not very much money… well, it would be rude not to. I haven’t had it sized as yet as I’m not sure that I’m going to wear it, but I love the fact that it’s such a reminder of another period in my life, and whether I wear it or not doesn’t really matter. I probably will, though, and if I do I’ll match it up with an appropriate pair of flared Lee jeans and a nice purple tank top.

Casio G-Shock DW-5000SL-1ER

Finally, the beater. Well, it’s not really as – try as I might – I don’t seem to “do” beaters. I look after all my watches in the same way, but if I were to own a beater it would most likely look just like this one. As it is, it’s another retro digital (and another Casio) modelled on the classics from the eighties but given the bullet-proof G build quality. Strangely, I wear it a lot, even though it’s the least glamorous of my collection. There’s something reassuring about it, and it’s seen some fine matches at The Lane already this season.

That’s it then! Five months-worth of evolution in my small collection, and I’m happy. Well, I’m happy for now…

Evolution of a watch collection

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One cold morning at the turn of this year, I was looking at my two watches – a Rolex OP date and a Tag 6000 chrono – and wondering if I really needed them both. My girlfriend walked into the bedroom whilst I was musing and said that it was about time I sold the Tag, which she didn’t like at all, and just stuck to one watch. I mean, who needed two anyway?

Now, I hadn’t discovered the little corner of the Interweb that’s home to the various watch forums I now frequent, so – in my state of blissful ignorance – I decided that a change was as good as a rest. By April, I’d made up my mind that I wanted a Sub, and just a Sub and I proceeded to track one down, barely used, and to pay an inordinate sum to get it on my wrist. I was in heaven, looking at it dozens of times a day but almost always without having a clue as to what time it was. My brief flirtation with high-end watch buying had come to a swift and expensive end.

Well, that’s what I assumed. However, from the point of “forum enlightenment” onwards (say, late May/early June) I think it’s fair to say that things didn’t go quite according to plan. I’d never even dreamt of seeing so many gorgeous and diverse watches, all in one place and all available. I wanted them all, and I proceeded to act like a kid in a sweetshop with said girlfriend looking on all the while in total bemusement and wondering what the hell I was thinking of.

All in all, it’s been something of a horological journey, condensed into what seems like a nanosecond of time. And as I can be a little self-indulgent (bearing in mind that write the posts on here) I thought I may as well document that journey by way of a few photographs (oh, and I’ve ignored the dozen or so that were flipped before they had a chance to leave any kind of impression on my wrist. But the good news is that I think I’m now pretty focussed, in that I’d just like (one day) to pick up a nice new or minty Grand Seiko and to add one or two more vintage pieces (probably Omega and/or Heuer, or perhaps a nice GMT) to the collection. At the moment, though, I’m pretty happy.

And I also have my G, of course, for those occasions when only a G will do!

PS I think my photos are getting a little better too.

May

July

September

October

Errr, still October

November

Omega Aqua Terra 2503.33.00

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Until I saw a Broadarrow with white dial and blue hands & markers, the Omega thing hadn’t really kicked in for me. Now, though, there are many I’d like to add to my collection, and top of that list is probably a nice vintage SMP.  However, the ball has well and truly started rolling with this beautiful (and hard to find) 2503.33.00.

It features Omega’s revolutionary co-axial escapement on their 2500 calibre movement, with a rhodium-plated finish. The really stunning thing about this watch, though, is the incredible blue of the  applied markers and hands… at times it can be barely noticeable, but  at others – particularly in daylight and at the right angle – the watch is just a joy to behold.

It’s such a perfect design, looking dressy with the right clothing but also purposeful and casual when required. I think Omega made a big mistake in discontinuing this one – I have a queue of people who want to take it off my hands but they’ll be waiting a long, long time…