To answer a few specific points:
I did ask Hamilton if they could replace the bezel, but they don't have spares, but maybe it is a good thing to show the character and age of the watch. Perhaps replacing it would be akin to me having botox to get rid of a few wrinkles, not very becoming0uatiOW wrote: ↑Wed Sep 23, 2020 2:26 pm I particularly like the Hamilton Chrono - especially, strangely enough, the scarred bezel....
The PAM looks slightly out of place, bezel-less if that can be turned into a word, but also because of the size. I have similar tastes to yours (evidently) and I have recently started to wonder whether I could wear a Luminor (I’ve been admiring the Blu Mare) but have been concerned about the size. Being larger than the rest of your collection, do you think it wears large?
I said it above but the point of the PAM is it is meant to stand out, be a bit out of the norm, so I like it for that. The hw models much slimmer than the auto. I think you would be surprised how well the 44mm models wear. Of course there are now 42 and 40mm models so they are broadening their appeal but I recommend you try a 44mm first.
Neil, I sold the GMT partly to make way for the SMP. It is a lovely watch but I would say I ultimately found it a little slab sided and decided it would go to try and keep the collection under some sort of control. That plan didn't last for long when I bought another Tudor the following month
Thanks Ryan. Interesting question. I think I have flirted with colourful watches quite a bit, and in general I do like bright colours. I've found however that I always seem to come back to finding black to be the perfect colour for a watch dial hence it will always dominate the collection. Perhaps black with a modest splashes of colour works best e.g. the yellow of the NF or the red on the PO. I did go for a white dialled SMP of course and wouldn't rule out other non-black watches in the future e.g. the BB58 blue looks nice, although nothing further planned at present.StrappedUp wrote: ↑Wed Sep 23, 2020 3:59 pm Lovely collection Patrick and also enjoyed the small description behind each one.
Also find it interesting that the colours of your more expensive watches are very conservative. Is that a consideration when making larger purchases or just the way it's turned out?
Thanks Des. Yes the SMP is lovely and the bezel action is superb (although I funnily enough I am sure I read a few criticisms of it ). The Tag is an absolutely lovely watch. Back in the 90s and 00's, Tag was the brand that a lot of people aspired to own (probably now replaced by Rolex in the past 10 years) and a lot of people I know bought one when finances permitted. The Carrera is very well made, very accurate and although my main reason for keeping it is sentimental, it is still a cracking watch. I think Tag have lost their way with some of their more recent models although there are some of the range that I still like including the Aquaracer and new Autavia autos.strapline wrote: ↑Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:09 pm Wow...your lower box is incredible, I'd kill for any one of those pieces. I tried on an identical Omega SMP on rubber just recently. What an amazing watch, the dial is a resplendent white, and the bezel action is nothing short of butter smooth. A perfect size that just disappears on the wrist. Owning all of those heavy hitters it's the Tag that you reserve greatest affection for. Tag often seem to get a bad press in some watch circles, but I think that Carrera is just beautiful. In fact, there was one knocking around in the sales corner for a long time; I'm amazed it didn't sell.
Des
Steve, it is a fairly random process that gets about 5 seconds of deliberationAmor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:12 pm An ABC collection, Patrick. Congratulations...choosing one in the morning must give you a headache!
Tim, couldn't agree more with the Jazzmaster. The day date symmetry is perfect and one of the main reasons I was attracted to the watch (as an alternative to a Rolex Day Date at some £40k or whatever more expensive )timor54 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:37 pm A fine collection. I’m not one for dress watches but I’ve continually been attracted to the Jazzmaster day date. It’s a very understated and elegant design; and I particularly like the symmetry of the day and date at 12 and 6.
But I have a request, please stop posting pictures of your Luminor, it’s causing me anguish and I might do something stupid as a consequence.
I'd recommend at least trying a Panerai out to settle your anguish one way or the other. I apologise in advance about flaunting it, I'll try not to do that so often.
Oops sorry!
Thanks Ian. The Hornet was sold on the forum a few months ago, again mainly to keep the collection to a manageable and wearable number. I have sold a number of great watches that I enjoyed wearing in pursuit of others and probably am no different to a number of people in that regard. I've possibly described watches in the past as keepers but have learned it doesn't always work out that way. You'll see in my original post that only the Tag I would consider as a keeper and unsaleable, everything else we will just have to see in time.