KMII's Two-Year Watch Collecting Journey

KMII · 2016-05-08T09:49:19Z

KMII celebrates 5,000 posts and two years of collecting, featuring his Chopard L.U.C Chrono One, Seiko 5, and Bulova Accutron II journey.

KMII

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

75 replies21901 views10 photos

KMII reflects on his two-year journey in watch collecting and forum participation, marking his 5,000th post with a retrospective on his acquisitions. His post highlights the Chopard L.U.C Chrono One as the catalyst for his passion, alongside other diverse pieces like a Seiko 5 and a Bulova Accutron II. This personal account offers a relatable narrative for collectors, showcasing how a hobby can evolve and deepen over time, fostered by community engagement.

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May 28th 2014 was the day when I first posted here, with a question on my first significant watch purchase. Turned out that the advice was unanimous - namely to go for the Chopard LUC Chrono One. Which I did. And then I kept on reading and eventually started posting, and then, somehow, two years later, there are 5.000 of those here, there are more watches around and the new hobby is hard to think of getting rid off.

Not that I would want to!

So for the 5.000 post, I feel that starting with the watch that started it all is simply appropriate

In addition to serving in all kinds of relatively formal / business setting, it has done its fair share of 'everything' - in fact for a while it was an everyday watch. So feeding horses, goats, donkey and sheep with my daughter, it handled as well as anything closer to its intended purpose

There have not been many significant additions since the 2.000th post some time in December, but here they are.

The first is not really a watch, although I have posted wrist shots with it here before

Filip was the one that pointed it out and subsequently quite some other members got one, too - my only successful Vlad act so far, I guess

Staying with the Seiko theme, a lowly Seiko 5, which is actually a lot more fun than its cheap as chips price would suggest. Cheapest manufacture watch out there? You bet

Another small experiment, while waiting for something more significant - a Bulova Accutron II Spaceview. Still got too little wrist time for me to make a verdict on whether to dip into its historical ancestor, with its 214 movement but hopefully getting closer to a decision by post 10.000

Still the most fitting watch for the specific pair of cufflinks

Then a completely unexpected discovery - a GO Senator Sixties lookalike from the 1980s Leningrad. A Raketa, also a fully manufacture piece

Again too little wrist time for a fuller verdict. But then I was waiting for more significant watches...

The only more serious purchase this year has also been a bit of an accident. While the other two Chopards were in the spa, I was getting desperate for some variety and in a bout of weakness settled on the LUC Sport. What an inspired choice it turned out to be. In terms of smiles per pound it works out very, very well.

Especially with the new custom Chopard strap - which seems like it was designed for the model

Really happy how it turned out!

Finally, no milestone post would be complete for me without at least mentioning the ABR - I was lucky enough to bag one of the final examples, all those years after its initial release. Here a recent picture

And once again, the culprit that started it all, that is the reason for the 5.000. I guess you're now stuck with me for good

About the Horological Meandering Radiomir Ref. 214

The Bulova Accutron Spaceview, specifically models utilizing the Caliber 214, represents a significant innovation in horology, introducing the world's first electronic watch in 1960. It was a departure from traditional mechanical movements, offering a new standard of accuracy. The Spaceview was initially a display model for jewelers, designed to showcase the revolutionary tuning fork movement, but its popularity led to its commercial release.

The Caliber 214 movement operates at 360 Hz, powered by a miniature tuning fork that vibrates precisely, driving the gear train through a tiny indexing wheel. This system eliminated the need for a balance wheel and escapement, resulting in a smooth, sweeping seconds hand. The case designs varied, often featuring a distinctive exposed movement visible through the crystal, with hour markers sometimes printed directly on the crystal or on a chapter ring.

For collectors, the Accutron Spaceview holds a unique place as a bridge between mechanical and quartz eras. Its historical importance, coupled with its distinctive exposed movement aesthetic, makes it a sought-after piece. Authenticity is a key concern, as many Spaceviews were later conversions from standard Accutron models, making original factory Spaceviews particularly desirable.

Specifications

Caliber: Bulova 214

Case: Stainless steel, gold-filled, 14k gold

Diameter: Varied, typically 34-38mm

Dial: Transparent (no dial), or chapter ring

Water Resist.: Not specified for vintage models

Crystal: Acrylic

Key Points from the Discussion

The author's rapid accumulation of 5,000 posts in two years is noted as a significant achievement, highlighting his deep engagement with the community.
The Chopard L.U.C Chrono One is identified as the foundational watch that transformed the author's perception from merely functional timepieces to proper horological appreciation.
The L.U.C Sport is highly recommended by the author, especially when paired with a custom Chopard strap, suggesting it offers exceptional value and enjoyment.
The forum community is acknowledged as instrumental in the author's learning process, providing knowledge and fostering appreciation for watches.
The author's collection is described as nicely balanced and growing, encompassing a range of brands beyond Chopard and Seiko, including Grand Seiko, Breitling, and vintage Eterna.
The Chopard L.U.C Chrono One is seen as a watch the author will likely keep for life, symbolizing his journey and the start of his collecting passion.

The Discussion

massi.

May 8, 2016

Congratulations KM: nice to see the first one that fed the growth of your new passion! :-) [nt]

KMII

May 8, 2016

Thank you Massi!

It was a combination of the watch and the forum, I guess Requires a lot of time to learn about watches so one gets to appreciate them more and there PuristSPro with all its kind and knowledgeable members was instrumental As for the difference between a merely functional and a proper watch - there the Chrono One is to blame

foversta

May 8, 2016

Congrats KMII for the milestone and your active participation in the forum! [nt]

No message body

KMII

May 8, 2016

Thanks!

As said, it has become a proper hobby. A nice one too, since apart from the bank account no one needs to suffer from it

amanico

May 8, 2016

Your participation is much appreciated, K. Very good to have you on board. Thank you.

And congratulations on your milestone. Best, Nicolas

KMII

May 8, 2016

Glad it is!

Thanks for your kind words, Nicolas! Manage about a tenth of the posting speed and persuasiveness of you but trying hard A JLC is on the cards sooner or later, too!