SOTC(state of the collection) thread.

Fitz II · 19-08-2021 4:17pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117776411#Comment_117776411

ALS still rock a fusee on the 30 day power reserve watches, Grand Seiko Springdrive is a Tri-synchro regulator, all coaxials as you say, there are still some pin lever, english lever, verge, detent (Urban Jorgensen use these) and cylinder ones rocking around the place but sure a swiss lever is the most common....Swiss lever is just for sheeple, and rolex filthy casuals. 😀

eljono · 19-08-2021 4:52pm

Another large part of Rolex's appeal which I don't see mentioned above is the quality of their designs. The Sub, Datejust, OP, Daytona are beautiful classic designs and that in itself can play a large part in someone's decision making process.

Fair play to Rolex for recognising when they have nailed a design, they then stick to it and evolve it instead of constantly reinventing it. Similar continuous design approaches haven't done the Porsche 911, VW Golf and Omega Speedmaster any harm.

And on the dress watches point, I love the elegance and simplicity of a good dress watch. If I could afford my dream wishlist of watches, I reckon dress would outnumber sports. Now I'm perhaps not being strict on what constitutes a dress watch, for example, for me a Reverso is nowadays a dress watch even though I know its original purpose.

Wibbs · 19-08-2021 7:45pm

FitzII ALS still rock a fusee on the 30 day power reserve watches

Aye, but a fusee is not an escapement it's on olde stylee way of regulating the power of the mainspring as it unwinds. It's dead cool looking though and though archaic on most watches I can see the actual engineering reason why they'd use one on a 30 day power reserve. 30 days? That's mad Fitz. Impressive. Other than vintage and co axials and a few oddballs like the Girard Perregaux ceramic mad looking escapement thingie I can't think of any other mechanicals that don't have a lever movement and a Swiss one at that(the English one is pretty similar)? Then again though it's not the most precise the Swiss lever is the best compromise of the mechanical escapements. The detant is a beaut but sensitive as feck. The grasshopper is the puppy's privates but no way will that work in anything but a static clock and look at all the issues Omega had with the co-ax.

Eljono Another large part of Rolex's appeal which I don't see mentioned above is the quality of their designs. The Sub, Datejust, OP, Daytona are beautiful classic designs and that in itself can play a large part in someone's decision making process.

Fair play to Rolex for recognising when they have nailed a design, they then stick to it and evolve it instead of constantly reinventing it. Similar continuous design approaches haven't done the Porsche 911, VW Golf and Omega Speedmaster any harm.

I think of them very like Porsche in lots of ways, including in the way you noted E. Though they're more risk averse in design than Porsche and that's saying something. Rolex are extremely staid, pickled even. Longines started raiding their back catalogue as early as the 90's and brought out reissues of vintage models, Rolex effectively never really stopped selling theirs. Though like Porsche when they strayed too far from the 911 look, when Rolex did go a little off piste the stuff didn't sell. They learned that with the Daytona. There's a reason why so few of the 60's and 70's ones are around and so valuable these days, they basically couldn't give them away and were heavily discounted when new. Their Oysterquartz, even though it's one of the most well made and designed Rolex of the last century didn't exactly fly off the shelves, even when quartz was the thing.

But this tactic has worked extremely well for them. By never going too far off their well beaten very recognisable track Porsche and Rolex are suburban and aspirational and middle aged and class and most of all safe when you go to spend your hard earned(the mega rich rapper flexer thing is recent and they even cater to them with the vajazzled models). And that is important. In car terms parking a Porsche Cayenne in 12 Acacia Avenue is oh yes very nice, lovely people, our sort you know. Parking a Ferrari GTC4Lusso in the same drive and eyebrows may be raised. 😁 Newbies on the block Tesla have copped to this too. Keep the design easy, even bland, though still nice, but not too many loud noises design wise. BMW is kinda like a Seamaster. Wider spread of appeal and pocket. The buy a Porsche and Rolex to show you've arrived has been in play since the 80's too. Even crims and wideboys know this is the track to follow. That they were able to do that with gold and two tone models is impressive enough, but that they were able to do it more latterly with steel models is nothing short of genius. Though I've always considered Rolex and especially their founder Wilsdorf as one of the finest marketing minds in modern history. I mean that in an all encompassing way too. He spotted trends before they were trends and moved towards them before most if not all of his competitors did. Like Apple in many ways, they invented feck all*, but spotted emerging trends and brought them to a wider market and then changed that market. He rarely put a foot wrong either. In the early days of the wristwatch all sorts of whacky designs and tech came out, but Rolex separated the wheat from the chaff.

In many ways the Reverso was always a "dress watch". Very nice one too. The swivel bit was to protect said dress watch. So you could come in from playing polo or murdering the natives but could still wear the same watch at dinner with the memsaab. When it first came out there were very very few "tool watches" anyway and all would have been in the non fashionable round cases. Patek even licenced the tech to produce a dozen or so of their own Reversos in Gold and other unobtanium.

*though to be fair to Apple they have a shedload of patents and innovations so it doesn't quite fit.

eljono · 20-08-2021 9:33am

Mmm Oysterquartz, I'd like one of those some day, love the integrated bracelet design, quite Royal Oak...

Absolutely, Wilsdorf was a marketing genius and as you say Wibbs, part of that brilliance was in spotting and even setting trends.

Thanks for the info on the Patek Reversos, that was news to me. I just googled to see what they're like, and actually prefer the JLC versions. Another example of a design that was absolutely nailed 🙂

banie01 · 05-12-2021 11:13am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/116511774#Comment_116511774

Hard to believe this post was from March? Surely it's from March 2020? I can't have spun through so many watches in 8 months?

Anyway, the current SOTC. Seems quite diver heavy now that I look at it from an external POV. Divers, Flieger's and still that penchant for big cases 🤷

Until I took this photo, I'd honestly thought I was down to 7. What's worse is that my Promaster is away awaiting a new crystal so theres even more watches 🤣

The Omega 2535 and the Sinn 103 Destro are the current newbies, and both are a very comfortable wear. The Omega shades the comfort stakes and the Sinn the legibility. I think as a diver and flieger 2some? They are an ideal pair.

I don't know where I'm going next other than I need to thin this out but, plenty of time for that.

Lorddrakul · 05-12-2021 4:29pm

A nice mix there, but love that Accutron Astronaut!

Pablo_Flox · 05-12-2021 7:01pm

A nice collection! And some nice Sinns in that box.

funkyouup · 05-12-2021 8:23pm

That Hamtun is in very good company.

covey123 · 05-12-2021 10:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118271271#Comment_118271271

Hmmm,if you decide on thining the Hatum out the collection I might have to consider it 😬

banie01 · 06-12-2021 11:01am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118274475#Comment_118274475

If I let it go, I'll be sure to drop you a PM with 1st dibs.

njburke · 06-12-2021 11:42am

What about the black bay, is it a keeper? There is one for sale near me that has piqued my interest.

banie01 · 06-12-2021 12:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118276436#Comment_118276436

The main issues I have with the BB are the height, it is quite a slab sided and tall watch for a non-chrono IMO and, the bracelet. That's not to say the bracelet is bad or even that the faux rivets are a problem for me. They aren't.

My issue with the bracelet could probably be solved by a half link, or my spending a bit more time adjusting the clasp. I just find that it always wants to sit towards the outside of my wrist. It's not uncomfortable, it's really rather more an aesthetic thing that probably only I notice.

It is a keeper for me, currently but I do like 'em big.

njburke · 07-12-2021 12:36am

Cheers banie01, in general I prefer a watch on its oem bracelet. Just trying to get my head around the different models and sizing. I'll see what's out there. Is yours the 41mm, 39mm seems a tad small for a diver, you never know till you get one on wrist. I bought and flipped a speedmaster reduced once, it wore very small for 38mm.

fulladapipes · 07-12-2021 9:43pm

This is (mostly) where my collection is at these days. Nothing too exciting, nothing massively radical; but all reliable and eminently wearable, and all suit my modest knowledge of, and taste in, watches.

L-R: Omega Speedmaster (2020); CWM 71 (2020); Timex Marlin (1971); Seiko SKX 007 (2018); Rolex Submariner 16610 (2007); and Rolex Datejust 1603 (1975). Three hand wounds, and three autos.

Pablo_Flox · 20-12-2021 11:38pm

Here is my current SOTC

Starting top right

Sinn U50

Raven Trekker

Sinn 104

Seiko Blumo

Stheinhart Ocean One 500 GMT

Seiko Samurai Dawn Grey

Stowa Ikarus

Casio Duro

Bobo Bird

Tudor Black Bay Heritage

NTH Barracuda

G-Shock DW5600

Overall I am very happy with how things look right now. I don't really have a dress watch, but to be honest I don't feel the need to have one. I have no real urge to add anything else for a good while and I will be doing my best to avoid browsing adverts and other places that can be tempting!

For reference this is what my watch box looked like just before covid hit.

scwazrh · 21-12-2021 12:33am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118354252#Comment_118354252

Any chance you would like to sell the grey dawn samurai on ?

Pablo_Flox · 21-12-2021 11:53am

I haven't been wearing it much TBH, so it might be a possibility in the near future...

But for now I'll hold onto it.. If / when that changes I'll send you a PM.

banie01 · 27-04-2022 6:50pm

My current SOTC from top left.

IWC 3878-02

Omega SMP GMT 2535.80.00

Omega SMP 300 210.30.42

Hamtun H2 Kraken SW200

Accutron Astronaut GMT

Tudor BlackBay 79230r

Sinn U2-W

Solas Starlight

Citizen Promaster JP3040-55w

(Not in the shot, Sinn Military MkIV that's on sale 😉)

Lorddrakul · 27-04-2022 7:04pm

^^Loving that Accutron^^

Proper pedigree that.

banie01 · 27-04-2022 7:38pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118985201#Comment_118985201

I have to sort some new batteries for it but yeah, it is a cracker IMO.

It is the watch my son would take my arm off for too so smaller watches may be on the way back in 😉

Pablo_Flox · 27-04-2022 8:15pm

Which one gets the most wrist time?

scwazrh · 27-04-2022 8:27pm

The omega gmt and Tudor catch my eye the most there . There’s something about the previous gen seamasters . The video you did really shows how different the previous gen is compared to the new , it’s a lot more refined.

lovely collection but why have you blank spaces in the box??

Fitz II · 27-04-2022 8:43pm

Looking good Banie, a very decent collection and rapidly expanding.

Ian OB · 27-04-2022 8:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118985491#Comment_118985491

He mentioned his son. Offspring will set you back at least 1 Rolex per year per head. Farmers are right, there's no money in livestock!! 😁😁

banie01 · 27-04-2022 9:11pm

Wrist time, at the moment it's between the Omega GMT and the Promaster. That's despite having the newer SMP in the box. Least is the Solas, I love it,I just don't wear Dress Watches all that often.

The omega GMT could end up pulling double service in a few years as if my lad ever gets a taste for bigger than 37mm? It'd actually be a birth year watch for him 🤔 planning ahead for his 21st 🤣 that said apart from hijacking the Hamtun for a while? His taste drifts more to Cartier and the one watch in the box he'd snatch is the Astronaut

The empty space's are discipline, they are a temptation test 🤣

And thanks Fitz, that's high praise indeed. I have yet to lear the discipline yourself & John have of fewer watches and moving up. I'll get there tho.

893bet · 27-04-2022 9:18pm

I think you need a king piece!

But equally there is a lot to be said about balance equally. Not purely driven by price but more quality wise equal.

That Arstro…..having handled it……makes my skin crawl 😹. I don’t care about the hertitage. Nuke it from orbit. Or pass it on your son now!

893bet · 27-04-2022 9:20pm

I love the newer Omega. They look so good on rubber! I am always tempted by them. Micks one has me tempted now!1

banie01 · 27-04-2022 9:24pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118985746#Comment_118985746

That's harsh, it's a piece of history 😉 and tbh if nothing else it's a great story in sourcing a watch. I do think the clasp in particular was the end of any consideration for you on that one. It is an awful piece of stamped metal in fairness.

kostal2093 · 27-04-2022 9:29pm

My current collection following some recent trading. Think this is going to be it for a while. From top left:

Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special (45mm bronze)

Glashutte Original Senator Chronometer (42mm rose gold)

Panerai Radiomir PAM00572 (45 mm SS)

Tag Heuer Professional (38mm gold/ss)

Rolex Sea Dweller 126600 (43mm SS)

Outcarb (don't ask - the result of having too much drink late at night. I haven't even checked to see if it works)

Fitz II · 27-04-2022 9:37pm

I think Banie its time to put a Rolex in that box, that would be an amazing thing to give to the son you are proud of on his 21st. Not only giving him a watch, a memory of his dad, but a plane ticket home and money for a solicitor in any country in the world for the rest of his life. Instantly exchangeable for cash.

Honestly I have massively reduced my collection in size and value, the rat race of leveling up all the time is no longer viable in this market. I shall live vicariously through others.

scwazrh · 27-04-2022 9:37pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118985806#Comment_118985806

Another lovely collection but there’s two extremes in size in one box - 38mm tag to a 45mm Panerai!

banie01 · 27-04-2022 9:45pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118985806#Comment_118985806

Some lovely pieces Kostal, the Zenith catches my eye but the Glashutte is an Uber classy piece.

Fitz, I know what you mean and I really do take your point but I just can't countenance paying grey prices for one. I'm on the mythical list and if one ever comes up? I'll put the money down 😉

banie01 · 28-04-2022 8:07pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118985703#Comment_118985703

The Omega GMT isn't a birthyear watch for the boy after all 🤦‍♂️

It's a 2009 rather than a 2004. Still, I get to keep it know whilst I keep an eye out for something for him. Knowing him, it'll be a Cartier Santos or a weird spec omega constellation .

unkel · 29-04-2022 8:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118985887#Comment_118985887

A sub date is just under €10k retail. For that sort of money you'd have a decent choice of Rolex steel sports watches grey / second hand. You'd have a pre-ceramic submariner for less than that and a ceramic one for not an awful lot more.

happyguitar · 31-05-2022 12:14am

This is my daily wear/beater watch collection. Nothing fancy. All ETA movements. All about legibility. Even the Eins single hand is surprisingly easy to read down to the minute.

Right row: Archimede pilot 42/6498

Archimede pilot 39/2824

Archimede deck watch/6498

Laco B dial 39/2801

Laco Cuxhaven 42.6/6498

Left: Fortis Spacematic 40/2836

Incognito Eins blue dial/one hand 40/2824

Stowa Ikarus hand wind Top

Stowa blue dial 40/2824 Top

scwazrh · 31-05-2022 12:50am

Very nice, the ikarus is the pick of the bunch for me . Think I’ll pick one up soon

happyguitar · 31-05-2022 3:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119137750#Comment_119137750

Ikarus is a nice looking dial. It's not àn easy read if you want it to see the time. The numbers don't jump out at you. You have to look hard for them.

scwazrh · 31-05-2022 5:49pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119140221#Comment_119140221

I rarely look at my watch to tell the time anyway , Fitbit on my right arm is much more accurate .

Pablo_Flox · 31-05-2022 11:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119140221#Comment_119140221

Can't say that my experience has been the same. I find it very easy to read the time

scwazrh · 18-08-2022 11:16am

Slow morning in the office so playing around with watches and thought I’d update the SOTC . Strongly considering consolidating a lot of pieces into something higher end but there is nothing really I would buy at the moment with the way the market is .Also the fact that I like most of these watches regardless of cost but I can’t get away from the fact that there is too many.

My most worn of them all is probably the BB pro and the Seiko Arnie.

traco · 18-08-2022 12:00pm

Some collection - one for each day of the month.

banie01 · 18-08-2022 1:17pm

@scwazrh lovely collection and I particularly like your BB pro 😉

banie01 · 14-09-2022 6:45pm

The current line up.

I have been flipping and swapping a lot over the last year, but!

I think I'm done for a little while, although if a Sinn Damaszener was to crop up? I'd at least try and make an offer for it.

Omega 2535.80 GMT

Self Build GMT (6460 mvmt)

WC 3878-02

Citizen Promaster

Sólás Starlight

Sinn U2-SDR

Sinn 103 Destro

Sinn U2W

Hamtun H2

Tudor BlackBay Red

Accutron Astronaut

I sold my Grey Seamaster a couple of months ago and that funded my new Sinn. There is certainly scope for something in the Rolex and up range, if not just for the experience of owning one. That said I still baulk at the grey market prices. When the son is finished Uni 😉 plenty of time for the call from an AD by then, esp if he goes on to a master's 🤣

Deep Thought · 15-09-2022 7:57pm

I miss I IWC LPP

Cyrus · 21-09-2022 2:43pm

Here is my current bunch,

From L to R

Zenith Chronomaster sport, IWC pilot chrono 41, IWC portuguese chrono, Omega Dark side of the Moon and Blancpain fifty fathoms in titanium.

griffin100 · 12-05-2023 8:14pm

My very modest collection.

NOMOS Glashütte Tangente 38 (got my wife to get this for my 50th birthday but in keeping with my usual watch buying approach I got her to get one that was less than a year old from Watchfinder at 50% of the retail price

Solas Starlight - was going to pass this on but it’s nice to have a black dress watch a well as the white Nomos

Seiko Prospex - I love this watch. It’s my most frequent daily wearer at the minute

Seiko Perpetual Calendar - never worn

Festina Chronograph - my kids bought me this about 5 years ago as it’s a Tour De France edition so it’s got a lot of sentimental value.

A pair of G Shocks. The black one is probably my favourite watch and is my beater watch.

Tag Aquaracer - my first ‘good watch’ - has a broken crown that I need to get fixed. If I valued it a bit more I probably would have it repaired.

Seiko Chronograph - my wife bought me this as a graduation present almost 25 years ago when I got my PhD. The most important watch in the box.

I’m considering https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/ocean-one-black-dlc.html as my last watch (that or an Arnie).

banie01 · 07-08-2023 1:42pm

My current SOTC, albeit minus my Accutron Astronaut as my son has it welded to his wrist presently.

Sinn U2-W

Sinn U2SDR

Sinn 103 Military MkIV Destro

Sinn 104 St Sa W

Blancpain Leman 2185f

IWC Spitfire 3878-02

Omega Seamaster GMT 2535.80.00

Tudor Blackbay 41mm

Self built omega homage GMT

Citizen Promaster JP3050-55W

And last but by no means least, my Sólás Starlight.

Future "wants" are a Sinn Damaszener & Hunting 3006, but truth be told? It'll probably be whatever 893 flips next 🤣

Kintarō Hattori · 07-08-2023 4:46pm

A modest collection:

Seiko 5- the watch that got me into this hobby about 20 years ago. It wasn't a hobby until the last few years

Seiko SKX009

Lorus RH921LX9

A Getat

G-Shock DW-5600

Seiko Flightmaster

Seiko SNN079P2

Timex Expedition T49905

Casio Duro

Parnis U-Boat clone (didn't know that at the time)

Invicta Model 21256

Invicta Pro-Driver

Timex Expedition Grid

Orient Fung2003b

Citizen BM8475-00X

Orient Mako I XL

Yema Jump Hour

Timex Expedition T44642

Looking at the above, I must sort out some decent display cases.

Pablo_Flox · 13-12-2023 3:55pm

Here is how things have progressed in the last 2 years since my last post

A lot of familiar faces from the post above, but also a good bit of new stuff as the collection has evolved.

I recently realised that I'm only a few years away from 40 and decided that if I want to get something nice to mark it I need to start saving now! So for the next while the focus will be on building up a watch fund that will make it justifiable to get to something nice...

overpronator · 25-01-2024 10:19pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121491316#Comment_121491316

Nice. Not many Montas in Ireland id wager, is the quality as good as "they" say it is? Have been tempted to pick one up for a while. How does the new Oceanking wear in comparison to the BB58 and what are your general thoughts on it?

SOTC(state of the collection) thread.

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