Luxury Watch Collecting Journey & Evolution

quattro · 2026-01-17T17:14:05Z

Explore quattro's watch collecting journey, from childhood Emerich Meerson pieces to haute horlogerie like Vacheron Constantin, Chopard, and Patek Philippe.

quattro

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

106 replies4343 views24 photos

Emmanuel, known as 'quattro' on WatchProSite, offers a deeply personal retrospective on his watch collecting journey, tracing its origins from childhood gifts to his current haute horlogerie acquisitions. His narrative provides a unique perspective on how early emotional connections to timepieces can shape a sophisticated collection over decades. This article delves into the pivotal watches that marked significant milestones in his horological evolution, revealing the sentiment and deliberate choices behind each piece.

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This weekend, I gathered together all the watches that have played a important role in my collecting journey.

As I've already told in a previous thread, it all started with this 29 mm diameter Emerich Meerson watch, which belonged to my mother.

It has a hand-wound caliber and, as I loved winding and wearing it, she ended up giving it to me. I was around 10.

My mother owned the same watch in white metal, and she eventually gave it to me as well.

Both are still functional, although not remarkably so.

Later, around the age of 17 (I don't remember exactly), my mother gave me another Emerich Meerson watch, larger than the ones of my childhood (35 mm diameter).

It is quartz, not mechanical: for me, if I set aside the few Swatches I wore as a teenager, it marked the beginning of a "quartz crisis" that would last for years.

For my 25th birthday, I received this quartz yellow gold Omega De Ville Ultra-Thin (32 mm diameter & 3.5 mm thickness) as a gift, again from my mother.

It was my only watch for over 20 years, apart from a few meaningless summer watches.

The first mechanical watch I bought myself before daring to take the plunge into haute horlogerie was this Tudor Black Bay 36.

When I felt ready to dive deep into the world of fine watchmaking, I chose the Vacheron Constantin Cornes de Vache because, when I tried it on, I was literally blown away.

I naively thought I would stop there, but then I succumbed to the charm of the Chopard L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25, with its Grand Feu enamel dial and jumping hour complication.

And while I was at it, I also treated myself to this Alpine Eagle, whose grey dial I really liked.

And how could I not have also succumbed to this Laurent Ferrier Classic micro-rotor, with its timeless elegance and very well designed and finished movement?

The Chronometro Gondolo 5098P, a true masterpiece of horological beauty, steeped in a glorious history, was the next epiphany for me.

And there are opportunities, like this Grand Seiko SLGW005, that you simply shouldn't miss.

I am now patiently waiting for Jaeger-LeCoultre to finish restoring my grandfather's watch, a Uniplan Etrier.

Thanks for reading.

Best, Emmanuel

About the Grand Seiko Heritage Collection Ref. SLGW005

The Grand Seiko SLGW005 is a limited-edition model within the Heritage Collection, designed as a recreation of the 45GS. This reference is notable for its distinct case design and the integration of a modern high-beat manual-wind movement, distinguishing it from other contemporary Grand Seiko offerings. It represents a specific aesthetic and technical direction within the brand's historical reinterpretations, focusing on a more traditional, dress-oriented profile.

This timepiece features a stainless steel case, measuring 38mm in diameter and 10.3mm in thickness, with a box-shaped sapphire crystal. It houses the manual-wind Caliber 9SA4, which operates at a high frequency and provides a power reserve of approximately 80 hours. The movement is visible through a sapphire exhibition case back, allowing appreciation of its finishing and construction. The water resistance is rated at 30 meters.

Appealing to collectors who value historical fidelity combined with advanced horological mechanics, the SLGW005 offers a refined alternative to Grand Seiko's more sport-oriented or larger-cased models. Its limited production and use of stainless steel position it as a significant piece for enthusiasts of the brand's heritage and high-end craftsmanship. The dial color is a subtle silver, complementing the stainless steel case.

Specifications

Caliber: Caliber 9SA4

Case: Stainless Steel

Diameter: 38mm

Dial: Silver

Water Resist.: 30m

Crystal: Box-shaped sapphire

Key Points from the Discussion

The initiation into watch collecting through one's mother is a rare and touching theme, highlighting a unique familial influence on horological passion.
Emmanuel's 'quartz crisis' period, lasting over 20 years with a single Omega De Ville, underscores how personal circumstances and emotional connections can dictate collecting dormancy before a resurgence into mechanical watches.
The transition from a Tudor Black Bay 36 to a Vacheron Constantin Cornes de Vache was driven by a desire to explore fine watchmaking, with the Tudor serving as a 'timid purchase' and 'good summer watch' before a deeper dive.
Emmanuel's preference for the Vacheron Constantin Cornes de Vache over A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph stems from aesthetic considerations, including the 3/4 plate, engraved balance cock, and perceived 'colorful' movements of ALS, despite admiring their watchmaking.
The Grand Seiko SLGW005 is highlighted for its exceptional movement, and Emmanuel points to the Grand Seiko First and its recreations as classic models with small seconds, providing a link to a comprehensive list.
The inclusion of family legacy pieces, such as watches inherited from his mother and stepfather, adds a rare and honorable dimension to the collection, spanning three generations.

The Discussion

patrick_y

Jan 17, 2026

So many lovely pieces!

quattro

Jan 17, 2026

Thank you so much, Patrick!

Best, Emmanuel

orahu

Jan 17, 2026

Marvelous horological journey — grounded in a mother’s love — thanks for sharing it with us!

quattro