amanico
[JLC Moderator]
341382
When the dream list is a nightmare... My missed targets.
A kind of masochistic list of pieces I missed all along these years of collecting watches. I prefer to warm you, it is a kind of horological horror movie.
1/ Panerai:
Some 12 years ago, I missed some strong pieces from Panerai.
The 6154 which was supposed to be offered to me. The so called Small Egiziano. ( Credit picture: Auro )
The " 4 Lines " Marina Militare 6152. ( Credit picture unknown )
These 2 are for me the epitome of vintage Panerais. I could also have added a Radiomir 3646, as I crossed the way of a few very nice ones, the California dial, for example ( Credit picture Auro, I think ).
2/ Rolex / Tudor.
In the world of vintage Rolex / Tudor, also I missed some good watches.
A vintage Daytona, for example.
I don't even mention the Paul Newman, as the train has long gone the station, now...
The 1665 Seadweller MK II chocolate was doable, some 5 years ago... Now, it is much more problematic. Maybe the vintage Rolex I miss the most in my collection.
Along with the 1675 U.A.E... A piece I had but which was not totally correct... I tried to find a good one, in vain.
One I still can do, but more and more difficult... The Tudor 7032.
3/ Blancpain:
When I think how things have changed in these 10 last years about vintage Fifty Fathoms, I prefer being amnesic...
I was offered some of the nicest and most interesting ones, such as:
The Bronze US NAVY. Top rare, this watch was not easy to find and fund, it is now an impossible challenge:
A 3 / 6 / 9 / 12... In this dial configuration, I missed THE opportunity, once again... Not the right time for me, alas.
The Barakuda... Even if it is still doable, it was even easier some years ago.
Same for the No Rad Bund... Not the most sought after, but still... A real charm.
4/ Patek...
I will mention two pieces here...
The 5100 " 10 Days ". A funny story about it... There was one for sale in 2007. I called the seller, we agreed on the price, we just had to work on the conditions of the payment... I called him two hours after, and he told me that he didn't want to deal with me anymore. I asked why, he explained me that another guy with the same first name than me called him 15 minutes after me. He thought it was the same person, and didn't trust me anymore.
This second " Nicolas ", I met him a few moths after, we became friends, and I told him the story of the 5100G. He confessed he was the other guy who called the seller... The world is small...
5100G, credit picture Antiquorum.
The 3417... I asked several dealers to warn me when they receive one... One of my favorite dealer had one for sale at a very good price. He forgot he had to call me.
When I paid him a visit, he told me he just sold it... To a friend of mine. For a great price... You imagine how I felt...
5/ Jaeger Lecoultre.
My favorite brand don't escape from the " missed opportunities ".
I had several chances to get the Master Memovox Cal 914... But there was always someone who was faster than me:
The Polaris II Red... I missed one at an auction, and another one in a watch shop... This is the last one I miss to end my collection of vintage JLC diving watches.
The Blue Scale... Someone was faster than me, in Paris.
7/ Lange:
The Cabaret Platinum, black dial... One was listed here, in our collectors market for a super price, I missed it for a few minutes... A dear friend of us was obviosuly more efficient than me, and faster, too.
8/ Audemars Piguet:
There is one piece which is in this list: The Millenary Starwheel in steel. But here, I had zero opportunity to get one...
Credit picture: Antiquorum.
9/ Longines...
Here, there are two watches which have to be mentioned: The Big Indian Ref 6111:
And this damn nice 13 ZN.
While I had one opportunity to get he Big Indian, I had to trade one of my top killer watch for that... I never came across another opportunity to find one.
As for the 13 ZN, the seller forgot he had to offer it to me first... That's life.
But the worse of the worse was this new old stock big Weems...
The seller didn't want ot sell it, and when he did, he forgot I was super interested...
Once in a lifetime chance to get one like this...
10/ Universal Genève.
The Medico Compax was slowly dying in a watch display of a watch dealer in Paris for more than one year. When I decided to finally get it, I went to see him and he told me that he sold it 15 minutes before...
11/ Tissot.
The Navigator World Time... A watch I always liked. I found a few, 3 to be precise. This one was in terrific shape, but I could never deal with the seller...
There are many other watches I could mention, but I prefer stopping the torture here.
I learnt some lessons during my horological journey.
First buy the seller, it is more prudent, even if the price is higher, peace of mind is priceless.
Then, be careful with the " you snooze you loose " rule. It is so true! How many watches I missed because of that...
Of course you have to be patient when you collect watches. But once you fall on a watch you are running after for a long time, go!
I am curious to see your " masochistic list ".
Best,
Nicolas
More posts:
When the dream list is a nightmare... My missed targets.
A kind of masochistic list of pieces I missed all along these years of collecting watches. I prefer to warm you, it is a kind of horological horror movie. 1/ Panerai: Some 12 years ago, I missed some strong pieces from Panerai. The 6154 which was supposed...
My goodness! What a catalogue of superb watches you missed.
I'd be very, very happy with any one of them. Maybe you need to buy some running shoes to make you a little bit faster. I enjoyed seeing those watches very much. Regards Kev.
I have never missed anything like those...
and your list reminds me why I chose to avoid vintage watches altogether - too much research, too much risk, too much emotion and too much money. I certainly hope you rejoice in the ones that didn’t get away.
Hindsight is 20/20 my friend
😀 No need to torture yourself, although it looks true that you missed out a few great vintage ones. 🤤🤤🤤 I think you cast a very wide net so you are susceptible to missing many great ones. I find that it is very easy to fall under the spell of a great vint...
Such a refined list. This could be the prototype dream list for a future (Very Lucky) collector.
When you look at the selection you see a great passion across many aspects and features this watches carried from history, utility DNA etc. We can all dream over your list. A+ Bill
Well, there are a few others I missed, such as the Breguet Type XX, the Zenith Cal 135 or S 58, the Omega SM 300 SAS, a Rolex 1675 FAP...
But I cannot complain with my collection. Even if there are a lot from your collection which make me dream a lot... Best, Nicolas
Great story.
My miss opportunity was, when I saw a 5070 sitting in the dealer's display and didn't jump on it. You see, it was in 2005 and I was just beggining my journey into this new world. Aris
Masochistic is right!
Some real cherries there. Do you torture yourself like this often? Looking forward to your list of this/these-for-that trades given how many great pieces have passed through your hands over the years. Cheers, John
And to think...
All you needed was unlimited money and you could have had all of them!
This is an amazing post my friend: the list of "failures" that makes us all grow. Thanks.....
....for putting it together! Very valuable! Cheers, HSTE
Fantastic read! I love these types of journey reflections!
But I must say...if these are the ones you missed, I can only imagine the ones you captured Cheers!
He he, Tavio... That's some 20 years of watch collecting, summed here. Indeed, I was able to catch a few great ones...
I have a small collection of vintage Blancpain Fifty Fathoms... Am quite proud of it. Best, Nicolas
Sorry to find humour in your anguish, but the 5100 story is quite funny
I think we all have those that got away and haunt us, but you have some real treasures in your story. I don't mean to sound flippant, but I'm an optimist and believe everything happens for a reason and hopefully one day works out for the best. That's code...
You can imagine that? Two different Nicolas called the seller in the same hour for the same watch. And a private seller...
The Gyro One, I never missed it as it is far above may means. BUT if I sell a big part of my collection, then... Thanks, my good friend. Nicolas
That's some list
And I guess not a wholly happy one! Though if those were the only watches you had it'd be a stunning collection. There must though be compensation and pleasure in the the ones you did catch. For me there are two standout watches that I regret not getting....
Superb post dear friend Nicolas and an awesome story to boot!! I feel every collector keeps ...
... the memories of those missed pieces haunting their souls forever. It happens the same to me with some Rolex pieces I know I will never reach due to the scalation in values this brand has suffered in the last years. E.g. a double red SD and pre Daytona...
Wise words, amigo. I do really enjoy most of the pieces I have. Now the question is to know if I don't have too many and IF it would not be wiser to...
Reduce the collection in order to fund some of the watches posted above... Hmmmm? Un abrazo, amigo mio. Nicolas
Thank you so much Nicolas! Now your question is that of a mature collector indeed...
... and one question most seasoned collectors make themselves at some point of their long journey! It is a simple question but by no means an easy one to answer! Otro abrazo para ti mi querido amigo Nicolas! Abel.
This is a most interesting answer dear Nicolas, and this solution can only come from a very mature collector and...
... requiring a lot of high spirit and nerves! Quality and not quantity is a definitive goal but enthusiasm and passion usually makes quantity triumph specially when we start our collecting journey but also during a great part of the road. In any case, I ...
Oh yes, of course!! I can understand that dear Nicolas. It is the feeling...
... of just thinking of me being in your socks and taking this kind of decisions what provoques my sight blur ! Un abrazo mi amigo! Abel
Ha ha ha!! That´s the million dolar question!! I´d love to know your list! It would deserve another separate post to view your "Ideal 20 pieces collection"...
... Should I look forward to that post? Cheers! Abel
Well, yes, you already own a dream collection Nicolas!! Main problem will be to decide about so many dream watches you should ...
... let to go to keep the collection reduced to around that ideal 20 figure!! A tough job no doubt! Cheers! Abel
What a story. Anyone else would have not continued onward. This would make a massive thread..
To list your major watch that got away.
What a list of nightmares...I don't get too much involved into vintage ones but even in modern world, I have some nightmares that haunt me all the time, especially with the indies...
Like the number 1 piece of a Romain Gauthier HMS, a piece unique Moser perpetual, an NOS Vianney Halter Classic, a titanium Voutilainen, etc. Some just came at the wrong time that I don't have the fund ready; some came at the same time that I have to choo...
This is a very story about seeing the glass half empty!
Your list is impressive and shows amazing pieces. When you look at the glass half full, you have some stunning pieces in your collection. Few more years and you will fill that glass up without a doubt. The story of watches that were not even considered so...
I might have mentioned these before, Nicolas . . .
. . . but since you're asking for a comprehensive list of 'regrets' watches, here they are again. G O 1845 Karree limited edition, either steel . . . . . . or rose gold . . . . . . (and yes, it does appear more yellowish than rose in this image, but that'...
Oh my
What a list What a diverse bunch of dream watches I hope you succeed with acquiring some of them in your search Best of luck Hans
