What sparked your interest in watches?

The_Guvnor

I am always curious to know what sparked others interest in watches?
My first piece was a Casio F-91W aged 11. I still love the look of them now.
But it wasn't until I was 23 and had saved up enough for my then grail watch; a Rolex Submariner 14060M; that my interest/obsession/addiction really took hold.
I was in my first serious career job after graduating and earning good money for the first time in my life. So every month I saved every pound I could as I just had to have that piece if it killed me. Honestly the day I got the train down to the jewelers to collect that secondhand piece I felt physically sick with excitement. Wearing it was the highest of highs, and I nearly walked into every lamppost in the street as I just couldn't take my eyes off it. I still feel the exact same dopamine rush when I purchase a new piece.
Please feel free to tell me your stories?

Wibbs

My dad was into watches and had a few and that would have been a big influence. Then when I was a kid the whole digital fad kicked off, but I have a mild form of what turned out to be dyscalculia(kinda like a dyslexia with numbers) and though I got a digital one Christmas I could never really get on with it. Still can't TBH. I'll look at my phone to check for messages or missed calls, but will then look at my watch for the time, even though it's on the phone. I learned to read time by hand positioning.

Anyway when the digital/quartz fad was big, "old watches" that ticked while not quite worthless could be had for literally pocket money. This included the big names too. A friend of mine's family were in auctioneering and you'd see steel cased Rolexes go for as low around the hundred quid mark. The gold ones got more, because of their metal content. Though TBH I'm kinda of the generation that tended to see Rolex have more a Del Boy used car salesman type association, so they never really interested me. My dad had a Patek and because of that I saw them as "Oul Lad watches". Funny how that goes.

I saw boxes of old watches go for ten twenty thirty quid. I got one such box that had Omega, Longines, Rotary(which seemed quite popular back then) along with Timex and the like. Pre internet and back in the 80's there was little info. The names you knew were basically those in jewellers windows. I turned down an IWC for buttons, simply because I'd never heard of them(first time I knew of them was from ads in the Sunday Times for their DaVinci). I used to pick watches up from "junk shops" and house sales auctions and the like. Looking back pickings were pretty slim. I suppose because Ireland has a small population and money wasn't so thick on the ground for so long. Omega were the most common "nice watches". I remember my first trip to London and having a fit when I saw the stuff English dealers had. Even then the stuff wasn't near the prices of today. In the early 90's I got a WW2 Stowa B-Uhr Luftwaffe navigation watch for a couple of hundred quid. Big daft old thing. Rarely wore it. Sold it years later for a tidy profit. Even since this forum started vintage prices have climbed rapidly, often doubled, tripled or more(supply has dropped too).

The_Guvnor

Wibbs wrote: »

My dad was into watches and had a few and that would have been a big influence. Then when I was a kid the whole digital fad kicked off, but I have a mild form of what turned out to be dyscalculia(kinda like a dyslexia with numbers) and though I got a digital one Christmas I could never really get on with it. Still can't TBH. I'll look at my phone to check for messages or missed calls, but will then look at my watch for the time, even though it's on the phone. I learned to read time by hand positioning.

Anyway when the digital/quartz fad was big, "old watches" that ticked while not quite worthless could be had for literally pocket money. This included the big names too. A friend of mine's family were in auctioneering and you'd see steel cased Rolexes go for as low around the hundred quid mark. The gold ones got more, because of their metal content. Though TBH I'm kinda of the generation that tended to see Rolex have more a Del Boy used car salesman type association, so they never really interested me. My dad had a Patek and because of that I saw them as "Oul Lad watches". Funny how that goes.

I saw boxes of old watches go for ten twenty thirty quid. I got one such box that had Omega, Longines, Rotary(which seemed quite popular back then) along with Timex and the like. Pre internet and back in the 80's there was little info. The names you knew were basically those in jewellers windows. I turned down an IWC for buttons, simply because I'd never heard of them(first time I knew of them was from ads in the Sunday Times for their DaVinci). I used to pick watches up from "junk shops" and house sales auctions and the like. Looking back pickings were pretty slim. I suppose because Ireland has a small population and money wasn't so thick on the ground for so long. Omega were the most common "nice watches". I remember my first trip to London and having a fit when I saw the stuff English dealers had. Even then the stuff wasn't near the prices of today. In the early 90's I got a WW2 Stowa B-Uhr Luftwaffe navigation watch for a couple of hundred quid. Big daft old thing. Rarely wore it. Sold it years later for a tidy profit. Even since this forum started vintage prices have climbed rapidly, often doubled, tripled or more(supply has dropped too).

Many thanks for this Wibbs. I found it fascinating reading. Having spoken to other watch guys over the years, often their personal stories are similar. I have come to the conclusion that its a certain type of man that collects watches; and they sometime have that character trait, starting off with cameras or something, and then on to watches.

Wibbs

Well both my father and my maternal grandfather were collectors of the odd and/or old, or hoarders as their wives labeled it. I defo caught that gene from both sides. I damn near live in a cabinet of curiosities. Watches are the least of it... I should charge for tours.

IrishPlayer

For me it all started with this watch,my grandfathers Tissot Seastar that he got after 25 years from his job.


I was really close to him,looked up to him and to me that watch was the holy grail.
My grandfather also bought me my first watch which i still have today,Reflex quartz.I still remember going with him to the watch shop in Blanchardstown and picking it out with him,wore it everyday.

After he passed away i did not really have anyone to share my passion with so i lost interest.It wasnt untill my last watch broke that i became interested again as i found this forum, began to look at all the great watches and the stories behind them that it revived my interest again and i do not collect watches so i used the opportunity to make my next one special to remember my grandfather by.

Thank You all for posting these stories as they are a joy to read and it is great to be able to share my passion again with people who understand and enjoy talking about watches.

The_Guvnor

IrishPlayer wrote: »

For me it all started with this watch,my grandfathers Tissot Seastar that he got after 25 years from his job.


I was really close to him,looked up to him and to me that watch was the holy grail.
My grandfather also bought me my first watch which i still have today,Reflex quartz.I still remember going with him to the watch shop in Blanchardstown and picking it out with him,wore it everyday.

After he passed away i did not really have anyone to share my passion with so i lost interest.It wasnt untill my last watch broke that i became interested again as i found this forum, began to look at all the great watches and the stories behind them that it revived my interest again and i do not collect watches so i used the opportunity to make my next one special to remember my grandfather by.

Thank You all for posting these stories as they are a joy to read and it is great to be able to share my passion again with people who understand and enjoy talking about watches.

Many thanks for sharing your personal story. I found it very interesting and moving. Lovely to have those memories. Wear your pieces in good health.

blue5000

Like others on here my Dad's watch was an influence, the Seiko navigator I made the strap for was his. As a kid I thought it was huge compared to anyone else's watch.

But later after using a phone to tell the time for years, I needed a treat to cheer myself up after losing a load of cattle with TB I got back into watches with a Seiko BFK, then Wibbs has been a big influence. But I've slowed down now to one a year, there's a lot to be said for research. I've only been at it a few years and as Wibbs says prices, or at least asking prices anyway have climbed since I got involved in this hobby.

The_Guvnor

blue5000 wrote: »

Like others on here my Dad's watch was an influence, the Seiko navigator I made the strap for was his. As a kid I thought it was huge compared to anyone else's watch.

But later after using a phone to tell the time for years, I needed a treat to cheer myself up after losing a load of cattle with TB I got back into watches with a Seiko BFK, then Wibbs has been a big influence. But I've slowed down now to one a year, there's a lot to be said for research. I've only been at it a few years and as Wibbs says prices, or at least asking prices anyway have climbed since I got involved in this hobby.

Thank you for your story. The Navigator is a lovely piece; I can understand why one would be interested in watches after seeing one. My father has never been into watches at all. He has always worn a gold Seiko quartz given to him as a leaving present after 25 years working for a firm. The funny thing was he couldn't understand why at 23 I would waste so much on a Rolex when a Seiko would tell the time just the same at a fraction of the cost. The first time I saw a Rolex was a neighbours two-tone Datejust in the 1980's; but had no idea of their value at that stage. I suppose watching Sean Connery and Roger Moore wear Rolex Submariners in James Bond films were what made me want one.
When I bought my first Seiko as a teenager I really thought it was special as I associated with being a proper mans watch due to my fathers one.

Eoin

Always like wearing a watch, but I don't think I was properly interested until I bought a really cheap skeletal watch from one of those Chinese gadget sites, and was intrigued seeing the movement in action. The strap broke, so I posted here years ago asking where to get a replacement, and it all went downhill from there.

FingerDeKat

Not really sure tbh...Midlife crisis? :pac::pac:


Use wear a generic Fossil watch(which I gave to my Dad and he still has and its keeping good time). But I ended up working electricity so got use to wearing no jewellery for 10 + years.


Then on a whim I bought a Vostok Amphipia for peanuts. I have since managed to lose that on a session in Temple BAr(don't ask).


I now own a Steinhart Military 42 which gets the most wrist time and a Seiko Orange Monster.

EDIT: just to add the reason I even started thinking about a watch was me constanly checking my phone for the time and nothing else.


Next watch will be a step up money wise either a Junghans Chromometer of a Tudor.....

2shea

My Uncle being a watch maker... he doesn't do it anymore due to ill health. But its still nice to talk watches with him and show him any new peices I pick up.

But my other two uncle's loved their g-shocks and I always
Used to ask them could I look at them and wear them when they came home for Christmas.

My watcher maker uncle gave me my first watch which was a g-shock which I loved but I hadnt really caught the watch bug at that stage. I just liked having a nice g-shock because they were weren't something everyone in national school had at the time.

Then the first watch I actually seen in the shop and saved up to buy was an Armani quartz diver style which I still have as this was my first real watch. Still have it.

Then I lost the plot with Invictas for a while before loosing the plot with Japanese mechanical watches.

Now I want to add some swiss pieces to the collection and I think Tudor may be the next in line for me to loose my marbles over....

I could spend 10-15 minutes looking at and admiring my watch while I'm on break at work.

It's so cool to have a little engine running on your wrist!

The_Guvnor

2shea wrote: »

My Uncle being a watch maker... he doesn't do it anymore due to ill health. But its still nice to talk watches with him and show him any new peices I pick up.

But my other two uncle's loved their g-shocks and I always
Used to ask them could I look at them and wear them when they came home for Christmas.

My watcher maker uncle gave me my first watch which was a g-shock which I loved but I hadnt really caught the watch bug at that stage. I just liked having a nice g-shock because they were weren't something everyone in national school had at the time.

Then the first watch I actually seen in the shop and saved up to buy was an Armani quartz diver style which I still have as this was my first real watch. Still have it.

Then I lost the plot with Invictas for a while before loosing the plot with Japanese mechanical watches.

Now I want to add some swiss pieces to the collection and I think Tudor may be the next in line for me to loose my marbles over....

I could spend 10-15 minutes looking at and admiring my watch while I'm on break at work.

It's so cool to have a little engine running on your wrist!

I appreciate your honesty. I will say this, never be ashamed or embarrassed of previous pieces. This snobbery that exists in watch communities on forums really pees me off. People feel pressured to move up to the next tier; like their opinion isn't valid until they have the mandatory minimum piece; the SKX007 etc. But then its pressure to own a Swiss piece like a Steinhart etc. Full of ego's watch forums are. To be straight with you, I have owned everything from a 25 Euro Sekonda from Argos to current Submariner. Truth be told, I enjoyed wearing them all the same.
For example, I went for a drink once with a millionaire friend of mine; over 50 pieces in his collection; some holy trinity pieces etc. You know the type; massive ego being the big man; wearing his Patek Philippe like Archie.
He asked which piece I was wearing, and I showed him my Casio Duro MDV106. 60 Euro I told him. Love it.
The guy was disgusted and bemused as he knows I love my pieces. He just couldn't comprehend why would a man choose to wear a Casio on a night out rather than one of his Omega or Rolex pieces etc. So you see not all watch guys are dicks feeding their ego; some just love the feeling wearing a piece gives them.
I think it's important to always buy and wear a piece because you like it; never mind what anyone else thinks of it.
With regard to Swiss pieces, I can highly recommend Steinhart's Ocean One range. And also Tudor as they really are Rolex quality pieces; in fact many features of the Pelagos are better than the Submariner such as the bezel action. They have a deeper click at 12 o'clock. Also the bracelet clasp with ceramic ball bearings, and the clasp adjustment is really practical too.
If the Pelagos was 914L stainless steel rather than titanium I would fancy one myself to be honest, so great choice.
Have a look at Mark Goldberg's video review of his blue one. He highly rates it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT_-2Jpqpnk

2shea

VostokIreland wrote: »

I appreciate your honesty. I will say this, never be ashamed or embarrassed of previous pieces. This snobbery that exists in watch communities on forums really pees me off. People feel pressured to move up to the next tier; like their opinion isn't valid until they have the mandatory minimum piece; the SKX007 etc. But then its pressure to own a Swiss piece like a Steinhart etc. Full of ego's watch forums are. To be straight with you, I have owned everything from a 25 Euro Sekonda from Argos to current Submariner. Truth be told, I enjoyed wearing them all the same.
For example, I went for a drink once with a millionaire friend of mine; over 50 pieces in his collection; some holy trinity pieces etc. You know the type; massive ego being the big man; wearing his Patek Philippe like Archie.
He asked which piece I was wearing, and I showed him my Casio Duro MDV106. 60 Euro I told him. Love it.
The guy was disgusted and bemused as he knows I love my pieces. He just couldn't comprehend why would a man choose to wear a Casio on a night out rather than one of his Omega or Rolex pieces etc. So you see not all watch guys are dicks feeding their ego; some just love the feeling wearing a piece gives them.
I think it's important to always buy and wear a piece because you like it; never mind what anyone else thinks of it.
With regard to Swiss pieces, I can highly recommend Steinhart's Ocean One range. And also Tudor as they really are Rolex quality pieces; in fact many features of the Pelagos are better than the Submariner such as the bezel action. They have a deeper click at 12 o'clock. Also the bracelet clasp with ceramic ball bearings, and the clasp adjustment is really practical too.
If the Pelagos was 914L stainless steel rather than titanium I would fancy one myself to be honest, so great choice.

I know! The bloody titanium is the main reason I didn't buy it months ago I have been himing and hawing about eta vs in-house too ... But I think I have come to terms with the Ti scratching a bit easier....

But now there is the Black Bay 58 coming out in a few weeks which I want to have a look at too before dropping 3k +

The_Guvnor

2shea wrote: »

I know! The bloody titanium is the main reason I didn't buy it months ago I have been himing and hawing about eta vs in-house too ... But I think I have come to terms with the Ti scratching a bit easier....

But now there is the Black Bay 58 coming out in a few weeks which I want to have a look at too before dropping 3k +

Agreed, the 58 will be lovely. I have 8" wrists so will be going for the full size one. But if you have say 6" or 6.5" wrists then the 58 will be a perfect fit. Also highly collectible in the future. 39mm really is a lovely classic vintage size for a dive watch (37mm was the original Tudor Submariner size). It suits the vintage look of the Black Bay really well. What I like about Tudor pieces is they have that real vintage diving/military pedigree. I saw a great picture of a French Navy diver wearing an upside down Tudor Submariner in the 1950's. He was just using the bezel only. Apparently many did this, so Tudor ended up making left-handed versions such as the lefty Submariner; and todays Pelagos. I thought it was due to them wanting the crown not to dig in to their wrists. But its because often Navy divers wore a compass on their right wrist, so used their left for their dive watch.
You may like this article?
https://www.revolution.watch/diving-off-the-shelf/?archive
Also Armand has an excellent video on the Tudor Submariner history:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXtyMwUdhbY

2shea

VostokIreland wrote: »

Agreed, the 58 will be lovely. I have 8" wrists so will be going for the full size one. But if you have say 6" or 6.5" wrists then the 58 will be a perfect fit. Also highly collectible in the future. 39mm really is a lovely classic vintage size for a dive watch. It suits the vintage look of the Black Bay really well. What I like about Tudor pieces is they have that real vintage diving/military pedigree. I saw a great picture of a French Navy diver wearing an upside down Tudor Submariner in the 1950's. He was just using the bezel only. Apparently many did this, so Tudor ended up making left-handed versions such as the lefty Pelagos. I thought it was due to them wanting the crown not to dig in to their wrists. But its because often Navy divers wore a compass on their right wrist, so used their left for their dive watch.
You may like this article?
https://www.revolution.watch/diving-off-the-shelf/?archive

I have 7.25 wrists but I'm really liking smaller watches at the moment. The 38.5mm SARB is just perfect!

Sorry I'm gone completely off topic here but I tried on a 36mm Tudor black bay today in Keanes cork city... And it was really smart looking. I got a good picture of it beside the Pelagos i'll post it up on instagram and see id i can figure out how to post here too.

The_Guvnor

2shea wrote: »

I have 7.25 wrists but I'm really liking smaller watches at the moment. The 38.5mm SARB is just perfect!

Sorry I'm gone completely off topic here but I tried on a 36mm Tudor black bay today in Keanes cork city... And it was really smart looking. I got a good picture of it beside the Pelagos i'll post it up on instagram and see id i can figure out how to post here too.

Apologies, didn't realise you are in Cork! I wouldn't have suggested travelling to Lunne's in Belfast in the other thread. When you said Weirs I just assumed you were Dublin based you see.
Anyway, great you tried one on and liked the smaller fit. Agreed the current trend is for smaller pieces. I think Tudor are bang on trend releasing the 58 in a 39mm; it really suits the heritage look; as does the 36mm. Tough decision to make really Pelagos v 58 as they are both excellent pieces.
But I have to agree with your sentiments; the cleaner ETA dial is much better looking than the in-house one.
Personally I would go for the 58 rather than Pelagos and enjoy the saving.
Also it's easy to remove scratches from 914L stainless steel with Scotchbrite pads. I just use the green backing on washing up sponges from Tesco on my bracelet clasps.
For anything heavier a Dremel and green jewelers rouge from Amazon removes them easily.

2shea

@vostokireland I'm based in Dublin but I'm in cork for the weekend. So Keanes was on the list of places to check out while I'm here.

The_Guvnor

2shea wrote: »

@vostokireland I'm based in Dublin but I'm in cork for the weekend. So Keanes was on the list of places to check out while I'm here.

Ah I see. Wise decision. I am trying to think of a valid reason to visit Belfast; as I have already visited the Titanic Exhibition Centre. Don't fancy the week of the 12th July really!

saccades

I was given my grandfather's pocket watch for my wedding suit. I'll sort photos out at some point (think the main spring is broken from being over wound), lots of old gold chain, gold sovereign (1914 I think) and a lighter counter weight (movement is a cheap 1898 but the case etc are v flashy - reminds me of my grandfather tbh).

Thought I should buy a watch I liked as a marker for the wedding (still have it, still love it - just a fashion quartz watch that was huge at the time now mid sized).

Was to be made redundant but got my 10 year work anniversary gift before that happened, picked a quartz seconda watch as it was the best of a very bad lot then decided to get something nicer with a bit of the redundancy cash.

This lead me to a Seiko Stargate and the rabbit hole that is modding watches. Much prefer a lot of watches for different occasions that if I wreck (rolled twice wearing the original stargate) I'm not going to be gutted by and cheaper to run.

The_Guvnor

saccades wrote: »

I was given my grandfather's pocket watch for my wedding suit. I'll sort photos out at some point (think the main spring is broken from being over wound), lots of old gold chain, gold sovereign (1914 I think) and a lighter counter weight (movement is a cheap 1898 but the case etc are v flashy - reminds me of my grandfather tbh).

Thought I should buy a watch I liked as a marker for the wedding (still have it, still love it - just a fashion quartz watch that was huge at the time now mid sized).

Was to be made redundant but got my 10 year work anniversary gift before that happened, picked a quartz seconda watch as it was the best of a very bad lot then decided to get something nicer with a bit of the redundancy cash.

This lead me to a Seiko Stargate and the rabbit hole that is modding watches. Much prefer a lot of watches for different occasions that if I wreck (rolled twice wearing the original stargate) I'm not going to be gutted by and cheaper to run.

Lovely story. Many thanks for sharing it. I am really enjoying reading personal accounts like yours; and glad I started this thread as I think others will do too.
Please post a picture of your grandfather's pocket watch; I am sure others would love to see it as much as I would. You raise a good point here; often the material value of a piece is irrelevant if it holds sentimental value. One really should not consider it at all, what others think or value ones piece at. I always say its what its worth to you personally that matters.