We made the Road & Track Top 50 Car Guy List

[B O N Y]

I confess, I have the bug, still wear almost every day my Rolex President which was a business award.

Before I went on my own, I worked for a Swiss company and was able to buy watches at a pretty good price.

When my father passed away I took his very old (preWar) yellow gold watch to have it restored. He went blind and at some point when he was losing his sight some watch repairman painted the hands black. The dial was faded and you could not see the numbers or brand, the watch appeared to be a stop watch, but I had no idea of the make. The band was a drug store expansion model. Well a few months later old Mr. Mueller who works out of his house and fixes watches for many jewelry stores in the Valley called me to pick up my dad's watch. What a shock it was to see it looking brand new, with a super premium brown leather strap and learn it was a Brietling chronograph. It is my most treasured watch.:biggrin

 

[50 BMG]

For me it's a Tag. Senna # 1253/4098

 

[Gulf GT]

When my father passed away I took his very old (preWar) yellow gold watch to have it restored. He went blind and at some point when he was losing his sight some watch repairman painted the hands black. The dial was faded and you could not see the numbers or brand, the watch appeared to be a stop watch, but I had no idea of the make. The band was a drug store expansion model. Well a few months later old Mr. Mueller who works out of his house and fixes watches for many jewelry stores in the Valley called me to pick up my dad's watch. What a shock it was to see it looking brand new, with a super premium brown leather strap and learn it was a Brietling chronograph. It is my most treasured watch.:biggrin

That's the very best kind of watch. Nothing better than your dad's watch!

 

[fjpikul]

Rolex Submariner for the last 18 years. It's proven to be tough - wear it when I'm chopping wood, diving, etc. I like the Breitlings, but they are very large for my small wrist.

 

[dbk]

Rolex Submariner for the last 18 years. It's proven to be tough - wear it when I'm chopping wood, diving, etc. I like the Breitlings, but they are very large for my small wrist.

Ditto. I have a Brietling Navitimer as well, but it's huge on my wrist. I like nice heavy watch, but it's a bit goofy....

 

[B O N Y]

Rolex Submariner for the last 18 years. It's proven to be tough - wear it when I'm chopping wood, diving, etc. I like the Breitlings, but they are very large for my small wrist.

what do you wear when you chop up your customers?:lol :rofl :lol


















don't tell me the radio and a smile, that line was already used....:willy :willy :willy

 

[fjpikul]

A mask, so they don't recognize me!

 

[isaakgt]

If and when you guys see me wearing my Rolex. I bought it in China for 10 bucks. Just don't look to close.:biggrin

 

[B O N Y]

A mask, so they don't recognize me!

Understand that helps you get attention when you go to a bank as well:thumbsup :lol :thumbsup

 

[fjpikul]

I might also mention that Marlin Perkins was one of my big customers. No masks for him. For the tissue banks, I'm usually sterile (run with that one Bony)!

 

[jsalomon]

Why would anyone wear a watch? Some guy wore one in my GT and I made him take it off as it made a scratch noise against the door panel. But seriously, there are clocks everywhere and the cell phone time is always accurate.

You have to realize that there is a significant relationship with guys who love a fine automobile and a fine watch. They are almost one and the same. If you can appreciate the fine mechanical workmanship on a car, you would also appreciate the same on a fine watch.

I have way too many watches (not really!!!!). My everyday watch is also a Rolex Submariner. I can beat it up, wash it with soap and water and it looks brand new, and it's over 8 years old! I also love my several different Jaeger LeCoultre (reverso and geograhpic world timer). As for my most special watch, that would have to be my Patek Philippe Tiffany 150th anniversary gold watch. They only made 150 to celebrate the 150 year relationship and anniversary of Patek and Tiffany. Patek were first sold in america only through Tiffany. As with most of my classic cars and classic watches this watch has increased in value.

Try watch collecting...you just might catch the bug!

 

[SYCO GT]

Yes, I have a dateless Rolex Submariner (poorman's Sub) with the stainless steel band. I had long believed that Omega was twice the watch at half the price.

But, there really is something unique to the classic Submariner. It certainly has it's own charm. As much as I wanted to hate it, I couldn't. It really grows on you.

No, it's certainly not the finest crafted timepiece, and the bracelet is probably more similar in construction and feel to the $10 China version than I might like.

But, it's simple, sporty, undeniably robust, reasonably lightweight, and goes with anything, in any environment. I wear it without hesitation, in any activity, and it has never failed.

Oh, it doesn't hurt that it constantly goes up in value over time, thanks to the massive advertising campaigns that Rolex supports.

My Omega "moon watch" is undeniably my favorite, but the Rolex brings a smile to my face everytime too.

 

[Kayvan]

OK, Since you asked....and this will ramble and ramble, and then some

I have always liked watches. When I was about twelve my Dad made me a deal. He said if you graduate from an Ivy League school you will get a Rolex President 18K Gold on graduation date.

Well, that lit a fire that burned red hot for 10 yrs; I was a C- student at the time. Sure enough, I broke my back and got it done. As a side product, I became a focused, aggressive, hard working young guy. My Dad didn't live to see the day, but on the very date the watch in the box, with all the seals, garantie papers and tags was handed over...18k Rose Gold with Diamond Markers (i think he upgraded me as he saw the progress)

I put it away and actually never wore it. To prove myself; I committed to buy "my own Rolex first". After my first real job, I saved 4 paychecks and bought a Submariner in 1992 for $2K and wore it for 10 yrs (still do).

Then, around 2001 a rare, rabid, brutal, ferocious watch collecting bug bit. I happened to check ebay for a rare Seiko Chronograph with a bright yellow face and red/blue bezel (you 70s and Nam guys will recognize it). I put in a bid and said "how much can I lose on a Seiko"....well it seems you can lose like $40K. I began collecting like nuts.

-I first collected vintage 1970s Seiko Mechanical Chronographs (yes, they were mechanical before quartz).

-Then I graduated to middle-tier Swiss names: Longines, Wittanuer, Tudor, Movado, Bucherer, etc. These companies had fine movements and were bankrupted by the Quartz movement.

-Then I focused on a sub sector- Vintage Sport Chronographs: I always loved "Professional" series watches: Racing, Deep 1000M Divers, Pilots, Chronographs, GMT/Space watches, etc. During the 70s, watches (like muscle cars, jumbo jets, and skyscrapers) went thru a massive size phase [42-49mm cases] and multifunctions, bezel, scales, wild colors....blue, orange, yellow, etc

-It just happened in 2000 most collectors hated 1970s watches as too big and maybe junk and were selling them on ebay for $200-300. Unlike today (with Panerai, Offshore) and almost every watch being huge, this was an under valued segment.

-I found out that like 75% of swiss watch movments come from 2 factories: Valjoux or Lemania (in majority of fine chronographs even today). So I started buying watches from long bankrupt names which had fine Swiss movements w/parts & service still available. It was like buying a car for the engine (ie, a Canadian Coronet Hemi, an Australian Ford Falcon Musclecar or a beat 911)

-Anyway to make a long story short I ammased a collection of 40 watches with some of the rarest and finest 1970s sport chronographs (many NOS, unsold from jeweler vaults) with history, lineage, and just coolness. Naturally, ebay, forums, websites cuaght on and the best stuff is now gone off ebay. A few web sites have shots of some of my pieces and some watch magazines did features on the dozen "classic automotive watches" where I was quoted.

Here is a sample:

-Hamilton Count-Down Chronograph, with "Safety Red" Buttons: the runner up Moon watch; blew up in NASA test; Omega Speedmaster chosen.

-Glycine Airman SST 24h Chronograph, with Orange 24 hr Bezel, given to Air France pilots on maiden Flight of Concorde

-Aquastar Benthos 1000m Diver: Oceanauts Sea Lab 1 Mission; Cousteau used as well.

-Sinn Space 1 Chronograph: Sky Lab Mission

-Omega 120m/400F Deep Blue Bezel/Dial Chronograph: Jacque Cousteau Missions

-Heuer Calculator Rallye Chronograph: etched rotatry slide-rule on bezel

-Zenith El Primero (used in Daytona) Pilot Chronograph: Massive case with 12hr Bezel with steel plate link band

-1970s Seiko Yellow Divers Chronograph: Seiko sold thousands thur PXs in Nam; lifeguards everywhere had them

-Tudor Chronograph: White/Black dial, steel bezel: Same case/crown as Daytona for fraction of price and its made by Rolex! [sorta like Bentley is to Rolls or Lagonda to Aston]

You get the picture. I always see watch promotions or displays at fine car-shows/concours and know most car guys love'em.

-Is 40 watches too much; yes.
-Was it fun, very.
-Did I learn and make friends, many.
(yes, a number of guys sent me $3-10K watches to inspect, hold for payment, or ship overseas....never even spoke to these, but the trust was there.)
-They are still assets, and all will hold their value.
-Did I Stop, yes. The GT cured me.
-Have not bought a watch in a year.

Today I am wearing the Rolex President 18K.

 

[SYCO GT]

Kayvan,

Thanks for taking the time to write up and share your experiences.

Very cool, indeed. Any thoughts on the quality of a Glashutte?

 

[Kayvan]

Glashutte is a fine

Kayvan,

Thanks for taking the time to write up and share your experiences.

Very cool, indeed. Any thoughts on the quality of a Glashutte?

Glashutte is one of the finest watches made. The Saxony region has produced a handful of fine German Watchmakers that make amazing movements.

-Glasutte
-A.Lange Sohn
-Union Glashutte
-Tutima

Like Zenith, GLashutte is not well known in the USA but has a long Lineage in Europe.

The Glashutte Senator is a milestone watch.

 

[SYCO GT]

I was very impressed with the Glashutte.

I would like that to be my next watch. Thank you for the additional information, it is helpful.

But I think I will get an Accufab and tune early next year, so the Glashutte will have to wait.

 

[B O N Y]

OK, Since you asked....and this will ramble and ramble, and then some

I have always liked watches. When I was about twelve my Dad made me a deal. He said if you graduate from an Ivy League school you will get a Rolex President 18K Gold on graduation date.

Well, that lit a fire that burned red hot for 10 yrs; I was a C- student at the time. Sure enough, I broke my back and got it done. As a side product, I became a focused, aggressive, hard working young guy. My Dad didn't live to see the day, but on the very date the watch in the box, with all the seals, garantie papers and tags was handed over...18k Rose Gold with Diamond Markers (i think he upgraded me as he saw the progress)

I put it away and actually never wore it. To prove myself; I committed to buy "my own Rolex first". After my first real job, I saved 4 paychecks and bought a Submariner in 1992 for $2K and wore it for 10 yrs (still do).

Then, around 2001 a rare, rabid, brutal, ferocious watch collecting bug bit. I happened to check ebay for a rare Seiko Chronograph with a bright yellow face and red/blue bezel (you 70s and Nam guys will recognize it). I put in a bid and said "how much can I lose on a Seiko"....well it seems you can lose like $40K. I began collecting like nuts.

-I first collected vintage 1970s Seiko Mechanical Chronographs (yes, they were mechanical before quartz).

-Then I graduated to middle-tier Swiss names: Longines, Wittanuer, Tudor, Movado, Bucherer, etc. These companies had fine movements and were bankrupted by the Quartz movement.

-Then I focused on a sub sector- Vintage Sport Chronographs: I always loved "Professional" series watches: Racing, Deep 1000M Divers, Pilots, Chronographs, GMT/Space watches, etc. During the 70s, watches (like muscle cars, jumbo jets, and skyscrapers) went thru a massive size phase [42-49mm cases] and multifunctions, bezel, scales, wild colors....blue, orange, yellow, etc

-It just happened in 2000 most collectors hated 1970s watches as too big and maybe junk and were selling them on ebay for $200-300. Unlike today (with Panerai, Offshore) and almost every watch being huge, this was an under valued segment.

-I found out that like 75% of swiss watch movments come from 2 factories: Valjoux or Lemania (in majority of fine chronographs even today). So I started buying watches from long bankrupt names which had fine Swiss movements w/parts & service still available. It was like buying a car for the engine (ie, a Canadian Coronet Hemi, an Australian Ford Falcon Musclecar or a beat 911)

-Anyway to make a long story short I ammased a collection of 40 watches with some of the rarest and finest 1970s sport chronographs (many NOS, unsold from jeweler vaults) with history, lineage, and just coolness. Naturally, ebay, forums, websites cuaght on and the best stuff is now gone off ebay. A few web sites have shots of some of my pieces and some watch magazines did features on the dozen "classic automotive watches" where I was quoted.

Here is a sample:

-Hamilton Count-Down Chronograph, with "Safety Red" Buttons: the runner up Moon watch; blew up in NASA test; Omega Speedmaster chosen.

-Glycine Airman SST 24h Chronograph, with Orange 24 hr Bezel, given to Air France pilots on maiden Flight of Concorde

-Aquastar Benthos 1000m Diver: Oceanauts Sea Lab 1 Mission; Cousteau used as well.

-Sinn Space 1 Chronograph: Sky Lab Mission

-Omega 120m/400F Deep Blue Bezel/Dial Chronograph: Jacque Cousteau Missions

-Heuer Calculator Rallye Chronograph: etched rotatry slide-rule on bezel

-Zenith El Primero (used in Daytona) Pilot Chronograph: Massive case with 12hr Bezel with steel plate link band

-1970s Seiko Yellow Divers Chronograph: Seiko sold thousands thur PXs in Nam; lifeguards everywhere had them

-Tudor Chronograph: White/Black dial, steel bezel: Same case/crown as Daytona for fraction of price and its made by Rolex! [sorta like Bentley is to Rolls or Lagonda to Aston]

You get the picture. I always see watch promotions or displays at fine car-shows/concours and know most car guys love'em.

-Is 40 watches too much; yes.
-Was it fun, very.
-Did I learn and make friends, many.
(yes, a number of guys sent me $3-10K watches to inspect, hold for payment, or ship overseas....never even spoke to these, but the trust was there.)
-They are still assets, and all will hold their value.
-Did I Stop, yes. The GT cured me.
-Have not bought a watch in a year.

Today I am wearing the Rolex President 18K.

No forty seems just right for you...
Enjoy them in the best of health, would love to see your collection sometime, bravo:cheers

We need to start a pen collecting thread, another weakness of mine.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Then, around 2001 a rare , rabid, ferocious watch collecting bug bit.

Today I am wearing the Rolex President 18K.

I'm going to show this post to my wife when she gets home so she knows how bad things could have become around here in the "watch" department!:lol (She wasn't real "hot" on the whole Rolex thing ... she's veeeeeeery "conservative" in these areas.)

My own, singular, lonely, by itself:frown diamond President ended up costing me almost TWICE what it should have do to the law of "unforseen" and "unconsidered consequences" ... I mean, after all, I couldn't walk into a place wearing the Rolex with th' wife wearing a Timex, now, could I?:frown :rofl

Speeking of chronographs, K Van ... have you ever run across a "watch winder box" that's BATTERY powered so it'll work inside a safe?
(Why I'd even bother getting one is a mystery to me anyway, since one has to "reset" a chrono after a 28,30,31 day month change regardless - "wound" or not! So, really, what's the point of using the 'box? 'Assuring extra wear on the watch's mechanism???:shrug )

E.P.

 

[Kayvan]

I'm going to show this post to my wife when she gets home so she knows how bad things could have become around here in the "watch" department!:lol (She wasn't real "hot" on the whole Rolex thing ... she's veeeeeeery "conservative" in these areas.)

My own, singular, lonely, by itself:frown diamond President ended up costing me almost TWICE what it should have do to the law of "unforseen" and "unconsidered consequences" ... I mean, after all, I couldn't walk into a place wearing the Rolex with th' wife wearing a Timex, now, could I?:frown :rofl

Speeking of chronographs, K Van ... have you ever run across a "watch winder box" that's BATTERY powered so it'll work inside a safe?
(Why I'd even bother getting one is a mystery to me anyway, since one has to "reset" a chrono after a 28,30,31 day month change regardless - "wound" or not! So, really, what's the point of using the 'box? 'Assuring extra wear on the watch's mechanism???:shrug )

E.P.

I am against winders. Half my collection is NOS from 1969-1974. These sat in vaults for 30 yrs and on first wind kept perfect time. Most had purple wax seals on case backs. Can relate; if I collected Rollers I be back $400k!

 

[Empty Pockets]

I am against winders. Half my collection is NOS from 1969-1974. These sat in vaults for 30 yrs and on first wind kept perfect time. Most had purple wax seals on case backs. Can relate; if I collected Rollers I be back $400k!

Aaaaaaaaaaah! NO WINDERS it is, then!

E.P.