Frivolous Watch Purchases: Enicar De Luxe — WatchProSite Forum Digest

cazalea · 2015-07-03T10:34:20Z

Discover the joy of 'frivolous' watch purchases with Cazalea's vintage Enicar De Luxe. Explore unique dials, bracelets, and community stories of unexpected acquisitions.

cazalea

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

44 replies8062 views7 photos

Cazalea's 2015 post humorously invites the WatchProSite community to share their 'frivolous' watch purchases, sparking a lively discussion about unexpected acquisitions. This article highlights Cazalea's own vintage Enicar De Luxe, detailing its unique dial, bracelet, and caseback, and synthesizes community anecdotes about impulse buys. It's a testament to the joy of collecting beyond necessity, making older forum content relevant to new readers exploring the lighter side of horology.

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I know I risk the response that ALL our purchases are unneeded and frivolous, but I open the question because I bought a totally unnecessary vintage watch yesterday.

The self-justifying, after-the-fact rationalizations include:

1. The Dial

It might take the award for the most text ever on a non-Rolex watch

Enicar De Luxe Nivaflex Waterproof 17 Jewels Incabloc Swiss

The dial also has raised pyramidal platforms for the Arabic numerals
Arrow markers every 5 minutes
Dots of (formerly) luminous material at each 5 minute mark
Elaborate hands including a curved second hand with red arrowhead tip

2. The Bracelet

It has a wonderful springy metal strap whose like I've never quite seen before.

You feed the strap end into a buckle

Flip the latch to apply friction pressure to the strap.

Twist the tang to lock the latch in place!

3. The caseback

In keeping with the dial, it has additionally unnecessary text and graphics

4. The Movement

It has one
It hasn't been too butchered
It's been cleaned and adjusted

The whole package set me back a few Twenties and even Mrs Cazalea didn't object.

I know I'm crazy, but am I the only one of the PuristS who does this sort of thing?

Who else bought something wacky in the first half of the year?

Cheers,

Cazalea

This message has been edited by cazalea on 2015-07-03 11:05:58

Key Points from the Discussion

Many collectors share similar experiences of making 'frivolous' purchases, often for watches that are not strictly needed but offer unique appeal.
The author admits that the primary motivation for buying the Enicar was its unique springy metal strap, with the watch itself being a bonus.
Other community members share their own impulse buys, including a JLC and a Rado, highlighting the spontaneous nature of some acquisitions.
The discussion reveals a common collector's dilemma: seemingly 'harmless' inexpensive watches can accumulate, filling cabinets and emptying wallets, especially when factoring in restoration costs.
One collector shares their experience with Omega chronographs, noting that despite being an 'Omega-phile,' chronos don't always resonate, except for specific vintage Longines or an Omega Bullhead.
Another collector showcases a Rado with an uncommon bayonet-style screw back case and a good quality 30-jewel automatic movement, preferring it over a more traditional black dial version.

The Discussion

amanico

Jul 3, 2015

I don't see it frivolous at all! At the contrary, lovely, pleasant.

Original, too. It suits you very well. And if you don't like it, I take it, which will be my first frivolous purchase of the year. ,) Nicolas.

cazalea

Jul 3, 2015

Thanks! Here's an outside photo for you

and a garage photo

amanico

Jul 3, 2015

Aaah, this second shot... ;) If you think that the red thing on the background is...

Frivolous, I would happily live in absolute frivolity. ;) Best, Nicolas

Hororgasm

Jul 3, 2015

Yes. ..Omega Bullheads in my case

Don't know why, but decided to buy all 3 variants to go with my vintage Bullhead. And to make things worse, ordered the new Rio version as well...soon to arrive. Best, Horo

cazalea

Jul 3, 2015

Excessive& Obsessive! My kind of guy, I think

What a great collection. You are taking me back to a time when I "needed" every variant of the Seiko Samurai - black, white, blue, orange; titanium, steel, etc etc. Aren't we strange? Thanks for sharing this. Mike

Dr No

Jul 3, 2015

What's frivolous about Bullheads? I'll admit to being . . .

. . . a hard-core Omega-phile, but chronos just aren't my cuppa tea. I've tried six, including a Speedmaster Mk II, but just can't bond with any of them. I don't even want a Flightmaster anymore, and a cal 910 was on my list for the longest time. There are only two that could make my collection these days: any of several vintage Longines*, or an Omega Bullhead - preferably vintage, but modern will do as well. Bullheads are laid out optimally for a right-handed person who wears on the left; they

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