PuristSPro Southern California Meetup
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PuristSPro Southern California Meetup

By dxboon · May 28, 2012 · 25 replies
dxboon
WPS member · Horological Meandering forum
25 replies5342 views38 photos
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Dxboon's post chronicles a memorable PuristSPro gathering in Southern California, celebrating the visit of fellow moderator KIH. This article captures the essence of community within luxury watch collecting, emphasizing the value of in-person interactions over online forums. Readers will enjoy a visual tour of diverse timepieces shared among enthusiasts, highlighting the personal connections that enrich the hobby.

I was quite excited to learn that my fellow moderator, Ken, aka "KIH" on the forum, was planning a visit to the States.  The Southern California PuristSPro contingent was lucky enough to make it onto his itinerary this time around, so we decided to mark the occasion with a dinner organized by our own Dr. No at an Italian restaurant in the suburb of Santa Monica called La Vecchia.  Lighting conditions were tough for pictures and our long table meant no food pix this time around from me (Boo!), but I got some snaps of the watches in attendance (I missed one or two including a lovely Speake-Marin...next time!). 

As always, whenever PuristS gather, I am reminded of how lovely it is to visit in person versus on the web.  We had some new faces at the table, which in addition to having Ken here all the way from Japan, made for a memorable and fun-filled evening.  Thanks to everyone for coming out and making the drive to meet up -- in some cases folks traveled from quite a distance! 

Thanks to Art aka "Dr. No" for organizing the night.  Looking forward to the next PuristSPro gathering already.  Safe travels to our dear Ken -- he is every bit the gentleman and wonderful friend that he seems to be on the boards!

Enjoy the photos!

Habring2 gem-set jump seconds foudroyante and Vianney Halter Classic.

Habring2 gem-set jump seconds foudroyante and Vianney Halter Classic.


This is the smaller cased Habring2 (36mm, I believe).)

This is the smaller cased Habring2 (36mm, I believe).)


The VH Classic.

The VH Classic.


The movement side.

The movement side.


Habring2 dial side.

Habring2 dial side.


Habring2 movement.

Habring2 movement.


AP 15300.

AP 15300.


Panerai 312 (I think).

Panerai 312 (I think).


The PAM movement.

The PAM movement.


A vintage Grand Seiko -- what a find!
A vintage Grand Seiko -- what a find!


I wish this photo was better! :-(

I wish this photo was better! :-(


The most intriguing piece of the night for me. A brass-cased Genta.

The most intriguing piece of the night for me. A brass-cased Genta.

The case on the Genta showing lovely patina.

The case on the Genta showing lovely patina.


Another look at the dial.

Another look at the dial.


Another very cool piece -- a Credor with moonphase!

Another very cool piece -- a Credor with moonphase!


Lovely!!!!

Lovely!!!!


The rear of the Credor.

The rear of the Credor.


A Chinese tourbillon in a PAM homage case.

A Chinese tourbillon in a PAM homage case.

This watch sparked some great dialogue about the future of Chinese watchmaking.  I think in time there will be a lot of interesting watchmaking happening in that part of the world.

The rear of the tourbillon.

The rear of the tourbillon.


Vintage Omega (Art's naturally!).

Vintage Omega (Art's naturally!).


  Ask Art to tell you the story behind this one someday!
Ask Art to tell you the story behind this one someday!


Another Vintage Omega from Mrsnak!

Another Vintage Omega from Mrsnak!  This one is a Flightmaster.


The case was in amazing shape.

The case was in amazing shape.


Lang & Heyne Johann.

Lang & Heyne Johann.


The movement is lovely. The gilt finish is beautful. My pictures don't do it justice.

The movement is lovely. The gilt finish is beautiful. My pictures don't do it justice.


Another view of the Credor.

AP Grande et Petite Sonnerie.  One of my favorite watches.  I've been lucky to meet up with it on several occasions.


A Chronoswiss Regulator. A neat watch indeed!

A Chronoswiss Regulator. A neat watch indeed!


Very elegant overall.

Very elegant overall.


Svend Andersen Secular Perpetual. A rare bird at our dinner!

Svend Andersen Secular Perpetual. A rare bird at our dinner!


What a treat!

What a treat!


Many collectors have probably never seen one in person.

Many collectors have never seen one in person.


A Habring2 jump seconds.

Another Habring2 jump seconds.


This one is an automatic.

This one is an automatic.


A Grand Seiko -- lots of Seiko fans in attendance.

A beautiful Seiko Spring Drive -- lots of Seiko fans in attendance last night (including me)!


The very cool and beautifully finished GS movement.

The very cool rotor on the Spring Drive.

Cheers,
Daos


About the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Ref. 15300

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak reference 15300 represents a significant evolution within the Royal Oak lineage, succeeding the 15202 "Jumbo" and preceding the 15400. It introduced a slightly more robust case and an in-house movement, distinguishing it from earlier models that often utilized Jaeger-LeCoultre base calibers. This reference maintained the classic Gérald Genta-designed aesthetic while offering a contemporary update in terms of its mechanical heart and wearability for a broader audience. It is often considered a transitional reference, bridging the gap between vintage and modern Royal Oak interpretations.

This reference features a 39 mm stainless steel case with a thickness of 9.4 mm, maintaining the characteristic octagonal bezel secured by eight hexagonal screws. The watch is powered by the in-house Audemars Piguet Caliber 3120, an automatic movement known for its robust construction and a power reserve of 60 hours. A sapphire crystal protects the dial, and the watch offers a water resistance of 50 meters. The integrated stainless steel bracelet is a hallmark of the Royal Oak design, ensuring a cohesive and comfortable fit.

For collectors, the 15300 is appealing due to its balanced proportions, which are often preferred over the larger 41 mm cases of subsequent references. Its in-house movement also adds to its desirability, marking a period of increased manufacturing independence for Audemars Piguet. The reference was produced with various dial colors, including blue, black, and white, offering collectors choices within this specific model run. The production period from 2005 to 2012 makes it a neo-vintage piece with a distinct place in the Royal Oak's history.

Specifications

Caliber
3120
Case
Stainless steel
Diameter
39 mm
Dial
Blue, Black, White
Water Resist.
50m
Crystal
Sapphire

Key Points from the Discussion

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The Discussion
PA
patrickmaniac
May 28, 2012

Now only if I could convience my wife to switch to this from Golden Bridge.... cheers PAt

DX
dxboon
May 28, 2012

It's got its own unique charms. I am partial to the Habring, of course, but I can see the allure of the Corum also! Cheers, Daos

AR
ArthurSG
May 28, 2012

Have short but very pleasant memories of San Francisco. Great watches too!

EL
elliot55
May 28, 2012

... simply put, was stunning! Sometimes a watch will take my breath away... this was one such watch. Amazing job on the photos. Thanks Daos!!! - Scott

EL
elliot55
May 28, 2012

Hey, Nicolas - Next time you're out here in L.A., we'll look after you too! - Scott

KI
KIH
May 29, 2012

I am so glad I came. Meeting in person with the friend in this virtual community is really something. You know, I seldom see people in Tokyo with who I actually interact here on PuristS. So, meeting members here in person is surprisingly wonderful experience. I put my photo report of the LA stay, other than watches, on TO forum: timeout.watchprosite.com Again, thank you so much. It was so nice meeting all of you! Best, Ken This message has been edited by KIH on 2012-05-29 00:05:07

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