My first “good” watch was as expensive as a Rolex.

Oct 28, 2019,17:39 PM
 

But I demanded TECHNOLOGY, not tradition. This was my high-school graduation present:



Alas, it generated respect for technology, but not love for watches. And my grandfather wore a Tradition watch from Sears—not a bad watch, actually—but not something to get me started. That came later.

And a government career limited my acquisitional depth to a stream of Seiko and Swiss Army quartz watches in any case.

A gift from my wife—a first-year Tissot T-Touch—started a minor little itch.

My first good watch—that is—with a four-digit price tag, was this Ebel. The itch worsened, and is still worsening.




And that watch is what engendered a love for watches.

After all of that, my father revealed that, unknown to me, he did indeed own a watch worth handing down—a good Hamilton pocket watch given to him by his college classmates (he commanded their ROTC company at Texas A&M) in 1949. The balance staff is broken and he won’t let me get it repaired for him. But someday (never, one hopes, and he may outlive me yet) I will send it to Roland Murphy for restoration.

—Rick


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How Did Your Journey Begin...

 
 By: elliot55 : October 24th, 2019-09:19
... Whenever I meet a passionate watch collector, I am always curious to know how it all started. As I’ve posted on this very forum, my journey began when I purchased that Submariner some thirty years ago. And in the years since I have accumulated a whole...  

One watch guy from age 17 a Rolex.

 
 By: Bill : October 24th, 2019-10:27
Wore the damn thing for fifteen plus years. Swimming, showering doing everything with it on the wrist. Still in the collection first Rolex till this day. In 2001 a small opening a second Rolex platinum Daydate. Traded when i got the bug. Got the full illn...  

Excellent Topic!

 
 By: baufoam : October 24th, 2019-10:59
My first watch, “The One that Started it All” is a Rolex GMT Master in Steel with a Jubilee bracelet. Bought it for myself at the ripe-old age of 21 in November of 1986. Paid High-End retail from a Authorized Dealer in Los Angeles. Happy to say, I still o...  

It Is A Fantastic...

 
 By: elliot55 : October 24th, 2019-11:06
... And iconic timepiece. I rue the day I traded away my "coke" bezel with jubilee bracelet. Looking back, it was a misstep. But hey, we look forward, right?

It's A Healthy...

 
 By: elliot55 : October 24th, 2019-11:05
... Addiction. Affliction? Those are some great pieces, my friend.

Bill's Rolex Collection Is...

 
 By: elliot55 : October 24th, 2019-18:38
... Museum Grade.

1974 is precisely when it all began

 
 By: cazalea : October 24th, 2019-21:54
My Grandfather Carl died suddenly, and I went back to Texas with my mother and aunt. I was 23. My grandmother took me in their bedroom and gave me my grandfather’s two gold watches - an Omega bumper-wind wristwatch, and a Hamilton pocket watch. Eventually...  

Ha! No Complaining Here...

 
 By: elliot55 : October 25th, 2019-12:51
... My friend. Love that IWC. And the dial on the Omega is gorgeous. The updated hands aren't so bad either. Have a great weekend. - Scott

I already shared this story, but all began when it was my 7th Birthday. My godfather offered me my first watch, a Timex, which shone in the dark. Then...

 
 By: amanico : October 25th, 2019-13:17
The next one which made me fall in love was the Rolex GMT MASTER 1675, because of this guy: It took me some time before I was able to buy my first serious watch, which was a Rolex GMT MASTER 16700, and since then... Well, you know the rest of the story. B...  

Is The Picture I The Middle Of...

 
 By: elliot55 : October 25th, 2019-22:12
... Tom Selleck as Magnum PI?

First watch for me was a Movado piece...

 
 By: Dave G : October 25th, 2019-23:00
given by my parents for high school graduation in 1985. Not a great horological piece but sentimental. It started a 35 year journey and many hundreds of pieces acquired. Dave

Was It The Movado...

 
 By: elliot55 : October 27th, 2019-10:43
... Museum piece? Iconic to say the least. And a superlative gift for one who made it through the rigors of high school - Scott

My older cousin got one of these for his birthday, and I was obsessed with it!

 
 By: pejp : October 27th, 2019-15:59
I was about 8 years old, and the rest is history. Watches have been a passion of mine since then. ...  

Great Color...

 
 By: elliot55 : October 27th, 2019-21:45
... Reminds me of a DOXA, except with a very yellow dial.

My first “good” watch was as expensive as a Rolex.

 
 By: rdenney : October 28th, 2019-17:39
But I demanded TECHNOLOGY, not tradition. This was my high-school graduation present: Alas, it generated respect for technology, but not love for watches. And my grandfather wore a Tradition watch from Sears—not a bad watch, actually—but not something to ...  

Both Are Beautiful...

 
 By: elliot55 : October 28th, 2019-18:50
... That Hamilton is really cool. Hamilton made the 'Pulsar' James Bond wore in Live and Let Die.

Which is one reason I wanted it.

 
 By: rdenney : October 28th, 2019-20:21
But I had a buddy who had the previous Hamilton QED, which was the same as the Pulsar, with the little magnets stored in the clasp that were used to set the time. I had to have one after seeing his. Mine has the next generation movement, after Hamilton wa... 

I'm sure I've told the story before, but since you asked . . .

 
 By: Dr No : October 28th, 2019-19:10
. . . here's the synopsis: Young No was transfixed by a full calendar that belonged to a relative. He (speaking in the third person) would stare at it on his Aunt's dresser for minutes on end. And it's been downhill ever since.

My Guess Would Have Been...

 
 By: elliot55 : October 28th, 2019-19:37
... That a Young Dr. No saw Keith Richards wearing an Omega... and it was all downhill after that.

Nah - I was a Kingston Trio fan . . .

 
 By: Dr No : October 28th, 2019-19:41
. . . back then. Really. I'd play Scotch and Soda repeatedly on the mono record player . . .

Nothing like repeated exposure to Time and Newsweek..

 
 By: Echi : October 29th, 2019-06:16
When I was a kid. I remember staring at those Explorer II polar ads. Which explains this a couple decades later.. ...  

Ah Yes, Rolex Marketing...

 
 By: elliot55 : October 29th, 2019-16:43
... Works like a charm.