KMII
[Montblanc Moderator]
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The WS for the 22nd of April - ‘New Beginnings’ - is live
As announced yesterday the theme this weekend is New Beginnings. What I mean is for you to imagine a situation. Where you have all your current knowledge and experience of watches but not a single watch. What would you start your collection with in that case (as those pieces that have made it I to your collection may not have the same emotional collection if you were to buy them yourselves now)?
Whether you take the current price developments and availability into consideration is fully up to you.
As always the judging will be done in three categories, WS, Static and WotW and will happen late afternoon CET on Sunday.
So where would you start a second time over?
Have a great weekend!
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The WS for the 22nd of April - ‘New Beginnings’ - is live
As announced yesterday the theme this weekend is New Beginnings. What I mean is for you to imagine a situation. Where you have all your current knowledge and experience of watches but not a single watch. What would you start your collection with in that c...
I suppose I will kick off the proceedings…
Of the collection was to start from scratch again I would definitely add the following straight away: I think the following would also make it in immediately… This one as soon as I could find it, so five or take six years later… 😂 Definitely this… And thi...
Hi KMII …
Interesting thoughts on your collection and the question of starting your collection from scratch. I also find it interesting that your first serious watch that started this was your Chopard.
It was…
My first post here, the first serious watch, and look at where it led to 😂🤷🏻♂️ I certainly have some regrets, too - not getting the Cartier CPCP 2396C, when offered by a dear friend for a fair price (today it’s more than 4x that), for one 🤷🏻♂️ Sure, bac...
Thanks for sharing this …
The Cartier is a very cool watch. Perhaps one day another opportunity will come along. As for values we have to look elsewhere as other options still exist.
You mean elsewhere in the watch world?
Most of those that I really desired (fortunately not all), have shot through the roof since last year 🤷🏻♂️
I thought judges could not compete? ;)))
But seriously, that Chopard is one cool looking watch! 👍
I do not quite…
Compete in the sense of the entries being considered in the competition, more as in setting the scene 😊👍🏻
And you have done a very good job at that! 👍👍
I will of course try to give it a go as this theme is really interesting!
Glad you like it!
Goes to show that a well proportioned 34mm watch works as well today as it always has 🙌🏻👌🏻👏🏻
Hello dear friend KM! A very challenging and thought provoking theme. As a matter of fact I have been thinking about this matter since I read your announcement.
Additionally you have set the bar very high with your choices and photography. Your choices were no surprise to me as these watches have come to be like a signature for you: superb watches which you have hunted for long time in some cases and all so close...
Thoughtful and informative …
A Rolex Submariner is definitely a great starting point for your collection and following it up with something from Omega and Panerai sounds like a good plan ! Less greedy… it’ll never happen ! Stay just the way you are my dear friend !
Thank you so much dear Captain for your kind comments. I guess I won´t be able to control my greediness my dear friend! Lol!! But I promise I try very hard! Lol!
I´m very happy with Omega brand. New products are usually available at their AD´s and Boutiques at announced prices and we are always well received by their representatives. Of course there are a few models made in very low quantities but in general you c...
What a fantastic quartet, Abel!
And with the possible exception of a dressy occasion you cover all the bases, and with pieces that would be sourceable even nowadays! And I fully understand what you’re saying by ‘less greedy’ 🙌🏻👌🏻👏🏻
Hi Abel! Love the
Vintage Sub with the diving instrument, the 70s style datejust quartz, and the Explorer in the lap of that exotic lady! 🍻
Hello, K !.. Just returned from travel, so apologies for no entry from me ths WE.. Let me just compliment you for a stimulating theme and..
.. I enjoy browsing through the entries.. - As far as it concerns of your own intro chip-ins, for me the VC and the Fly-back Chopard first, please. - But also your other choices are very well taken ( Minerva, Ming & Habring2 just to name a few).- To make ...
Thanks so much for the kind words 🙏🏻
Actually I have been traveling this weekend, too, so I fully understand you 😊
They were a feature of a nice, earlier period of horology…
The closest in terms of many areas nowadays are Habring IMHO
My 'high horology' collecting journey began....
in 2006 with one of the least expensive Speedmaster versions. It then proceeded to 2 TAGs - the Monza and Grand Carrera C.36, and the Longines Evidenza. This stretch of 'collecting' however ended in 2010 with the peak of the Great Recession looming, so I ...
Congratulations on restarting your collection …
I hope you achieve your collecting goals.
It's likely going to be....
the first one I buy next! Ideally, years down the line, I'd love to get one PP as well, but I'm not nearly as decisive on which one that may be as I am with the JLC/VC/Omega set........ (and also, I won't be spending $200K on a Patek LoL )
That’s a very precise plan and I suppose the experience of restarting the collection once probably contributed here 👌🏻
Hope all adorn your collection in a foreseeable period of time!
I´m happy to know you are restarting your collection again. You share a superb Amvox and I wish you will be able to reach the watches you have in your wish list. Interesting watches you mention.
No need to rush when collecting. Everything requires time... and stars alignment! Good luck in your collecting journey InHavenPro! Hagwe! Abel
Precisely,
The other ones hopefully won't take quite as long a time as this AMVOX has, those circumstances were truly one-of-a-kind, but I am in no particular rush, I have a couple of watches to enjoy, and when the 'stars align', I will make my subsequent purchases....
After putting my thinking cap on . . .
. . . a clear pattern emerged. A vintage collection would not be viable, as going that route requires time, education, and most importantly, reliable watchmakers and parts sources. No one coming in cold should attempt assembling a vintage-themed collectio...
Good call Art …
Firstly, I completely agree with you about the vintage route being exceptionally difficult to navigate without experience and specialist backup and second, I would definitely recommend a Speedmaster at a perfect foundation to starting a collection.
That’s a truly thoughtful one…
And not a piece I can disagree with - impeccable logic as always 😊
Love your thinking cap dear Art! Lol! Fantastic!! Agree with your thoughts about starting collecting vintage without the required experience. I committed the mistake of doing so and paid my toll.
An interesting choice for restarting collecting you share here. A Speedy is a fantastic number one always. The A386 is a dream for me but considering the present prices niche I feel it will remain just like this, a dream. Anyway I enjoy so much a present ...
Very interesting theme my friend,
You made me think hard about this . Not as easy as we think to start all over again but with the knowledge from now i would definitely jump straight into independent brands I guess. I started like almost all collectors with the big brands but nowadays i w...
Good choices and each one perfect for a serious collection …
Plenty more independents tii or add along the way.
That is also a discovery or point…
That I think some of us would jump to sooner if the collection started from scratch 😊
Anything but independents would have been a huge surprise from you 😉
And your final sentence very much resonates with me - many of my pieces now have an emotional significance and are tough to think of separating from. Starting from scratch I would most likely follow the less is more approach as well 😊👍🏻 And while all of y...
Well you're right. There is good reason for independend brands.
Some weeks ago I thought about this or similar. Nice case. But I was not sure. ...
I have my eye on a Cedric too for quite some time
Love that case design, different yet stylish. Also very still underrated . Lets both get one 😉🙏🏻
Still learning to pull the trigger
Hi Think a large number of what I have wouldn't change, but might be acquired differently. The key bit over learnt is that if it feels right then it probably is. So I'd aim to have fewer regrets about not buying stuff. These would still be on the roster R...
Yeah that was one of my quicker decisions ☺️!
Sort of learnt my lesson by then - but not entirely. Cheers JML
I guess even in the scenario described…
There would still be additional learning going forward 😊
No one said the collection would necessarily be smaller 😉
And it would have been a real shock if your answer didn’t entail an alarm or three 😂 What you are saying about acquiring pieces differently also resonates 👍🏻
Excellent choices dear JML! You´ll never have regrets with these purchases! I feel that in case of restarting a collection some alarm watches would always be included in your list!
Keep enjoying collecting and wearing your pieces my friend. Hagwe! Abel
If I were to start from scratch…
I guess these three would be a good start: Grandpa’s Omega: My (most) daily wearer: (with an accidental cyclops) And this: Some fantastic selections from others here as well. And I might have a new one in the next day or so… ...
A great selection…
And I simply love that accidental cyclops - always keeping a tongue in cheek is part of the journey, too 😁
Thanks!
The accidental cyclops really was an accident. I sat down after doing a few things in the kitchen and there it was. I thought it would make an interesting picture 😁. Cheers!
Awesome cyclops Explorer 1 shot! You really surprised me! It really looks like a date Explorer! That´s a great choice for a daily wearer. As a matter of fact mine has been on my wrist...
... during these last days. Of course your Grandpa´s Omega is a must in case of restarting a collection!! Have a nice weekend! Abel
Thank you so much. Not bad without the cyclops either.
The Explorer is a very easy watch to wear — practical but still interesting. And it wears its scratches well. Might have something new next weekend. And yes this forum, especially a couple of members, is/are to blame 😉.
My pleasure RabidManatee. Yes, not bad but in my personal view I still prefer it without date as it was and still is. Agree with your comments on this great watch.
Look forward to view your new catch! Agree with you that this Forum is inspirational! Lol! Cheers, Abel
Dear KMII, great theme this week-end and as i was thinking about it i remembered: wait a minute, i actually pressed the reset button about 18 months ago and went through this process!
Luckily for me most of the new acquisitions since then i would buy again should I have to start from scratch again today. Maybe with the difference i may not be getting them in the same order and in specific for the watches not yet in my current collectio...
Thanks for reminding me about the Traditionelle, Y . . .
. . . which I could easily swap in . . . . . . for the GS that's on my list. I hate to use the term 'killer' in the context of VC, but killer it is! Art ...
Now that’s interesting…
Wasn’t aware you pressed the reset button 18 months ago. The choices are superb and very understandable - I see in many ways our tastes align 😊 Good luck in securing the ones you are still hunting 👌🏻🤞🏻
Indeed I literally ended up selling every single watch I had bought from 2 to 5 years ago. Way to many hit and miss as you can imagine.
The only good thing coming out of it is now I seem to know better what I like on my wrist. Interesting indeed we share similar tastes! 😁. I wanted to have both sports and dressy watch. This year I am focusing more on the 38-40 time only watch that could w...
Dear KMII, thank you for hosting this weekend's Wristscan and with such an interesting theme
if i were to start my collecting journey afresh, i would start my focus on the simple, not too big, time and date (no date is also fine) watches as reflected in my recent purchases... have a great weekend everyone! ...
Beautiful watches and superb photography you share here terbaboom! Specially love those Cartiers and the Moser. I´m happy for you reading two more are coming soon!
Keep enjoying your wonderful collection so much! Hagwe! Abel
thanks Abel! enjoy your watches in good health too!
for the Moser that i'm waiting for, 1 is coming soon, but the other will have to wait till next year...
My big pleasure terbaboom! Waiting will add to the enjoyment when you…
… finally receive it. You’ll keep enjoying your new one and your nice collection in the meantime. All the best, Abel
Hi KM. Hagwe🍻
If I were to start again, as much as I love all the watches in my small collection (and a few that I still wish for), I’d slim it down and simplify to stick to just the first 3 I ever purchased, which were the first to immediately capture my imagination a...
What a trio 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Sea Dweller, Reverso and Pogue - you really cover all bases with just three pieces 👌🏻🙌🏻
I would start like this or that
Like I did with Girard Perregaux Vintage, rich history and reasonable price Nivada Grenchen, same, good connection between new and vintage ...
Wonderful duo, Brauner!
There is indeed a treasure trove of a history from GP and at the moment it’s still borderline available. Likewise your Nivada is a great example of a Phoenix successfully resurrected 👍🏻
Thanks a lot. The GP is my first serious watch I bought.
Like the handwound Nivada very much. A new watch with a lot of vintage flair.
Great theme
I like this hypothetical question. It’s been more than a decade of being addicted to acquiring watches. Sometimes I look at my watches and wonder if I bought them on impulse. Some pieces grew more beautiful in my eyes, some became regrets. My regrets: 1) ...
Interesting to read your thoughts on your present experience and your hypothetical restarting plan dear Cookies! Thank you for sharing with us.
Your Seamaster Tantalium is stunning! And a cute company you share in your last shot! Hagwe! Abel
That’s a very considered, comprehensive answer…
And regrets, I have had a few myself. Definitely agree with your categories, too! And that praying mantis - genius 👌🏻👍🏻
Dear KMII, if I could restart......
I would have paid more attention to the GMTM, particularly the 1675. Same reference but with many different variations, some known, some unknown, each one has its own distinct charm which to me is a totally different and unique watch. Cheers! ...
It is certainly a very broad, charming reference!
And exploring it further definitely a worthwhile pursuit. Great sample shot, too 👌🏻👍🏻
New beginnings…
Hello dear Kristjan and friends. Starting a collection from scratch today would in my opinion be very exciting. Especially armed with several decades of knowledge. The landscape for watches is very different today but I still believe that you can have a l...
That sounds like a great plan dear Captain. You also reminds me of a dilemma I am facing right now as I did/do wonder sometime about a PP Calatrava versus a VC traditionelle
I think I gave up on the PP without trying (so maybe I should) just because I don’t feel like call an AD to be told it will take “x” years for me to get one…but maybe I should at least make the call! The VC is likely easier to source and I felt it might b...
Superb plan to restart collecting with past experience accumulated and 0 watches in your watchbox. An Omega Speedmaster and a Rolex (GMT or Submariner) are a must I agree.
Also agree that a daily beater like the Doxa is a great way to go and at a very reasonable price. A Calatrava is a timeless design no doubt and the VH... well we are entering in another League here with this awesome timepiece! Lol! Well thought my dear fr...
Cannot see any gap your approach leaves…
And all within a day, too 😊 Definitely think the new Calatrava does many a thing right and the VH - perfection 👌🏻👍🏻