Horological Meandering

Dear friends As we approach to grand finale of POTM series I couldn't think of better candidate than our own man behind the scenes our one and only Bill...man we can all thank to have this virtual home of ours.. man of great taste in divers watches, wines...  

.....what a great story and journey. Truly inspiring. I love that saying..."a family that plays together, stays together". True of friends too! Thanks for giving this insight into your watches, background, thinking and evolution. Really enjoyed the read.

Always a pleasure to hang out here. Bill

Love the description of the pre-Microsoft era! On a more general note I think it was a splendid idea to start this series as it allows a more personal touch to some of the forum members, particularly if you have not (yet) had the chance to meet them in pe... 

met Thomas and Nicolas ! What you showed me in LA was so impressive ! I look forward to another GTG with you soon. Cheers, Gordon

I like you could not be without the sea for too long... I grew up next to it and apart from a few years in Switzerland have always lived close to it so that I can see it, be on it or often be under it at least every day. Wow that is some collection of car... 

Another project another day. I just wish they were smaller because storage is a real pain. With watches just a zip lock bag and a bank vault.

. . . easier to to store than cars, and more fun than a barrel of monkeys. [African blackwood and persimmon Denali cue with maple and purpleheart shafts] And I know where you can get persimmon wood by the truckload if need be. Of course, you'd have to pra...  

Where is everyone

. . . and no one was there to witness his first ace! Thank goodness for the security camera ;-) . . .

And in this case even more so! Thank you for letting us have a peak into the life of Bill! Hope to see you soon again! Best Blomman

What a great story. We are lucky to have you here, taking care of all of us. Cheers!

You will continue this series of POTM into the next year! Best Blomman

Wow, the pictures with you on your early days... Fantastic. I also love your motto. It is very important, for sure, and I know how important it is for you. All the best, and thousands thanks for being here and for being you. Nicolas.

I loved reading about your journey into watches, wine and cars. Your collections are amazing and your posts are always knowledgable, enthusiastic and encouraging to all. Best wishes and regards. Kev.

One of my favorite cities Where we sat in a little bistro and talked watches for a few hours. Thanks for the background in this interview. Cheers, Mike ...  

I hope we get to do lunch again sometime soon. And to see many more boxes, especially with Doxas in them. Thank you for all that you have given to this community. It was great to read about the more technical stuff you briefly touched upon when we talked.... 

hopefully will be able to meet you one day in person. I got a real flashback, when you mentioned CPM Operating System, that's where I started as well. Thanks for letting us be part of this community by doing all this hard work. Best, CC

Best wishes Alkiro

Best wishes Alkiro

Anytime I ever poured through the Purists archives looking for lord-knows-what and chanced upon a Bill watch/photo, it was always something great. Thanks for getting your stuff wet and sharing your passion.

“It is nice to be important but it is important to be nice.” That is so true! Such words of wisdom. I’ll take your life motto to heart. Best Regards, Luis

we (technological advances) won’t be here today. Thanks for being here and I feel honored to be in the same POTM list. Rgds Raymond

So I am not quite as old as I appear. But the mileage is there. LOL

your horological journey and lifestyle---insightful and concise. have always enjoyed your postings,especially about diving watches ,and of course ,your eclectic wine collection and tastes. Hope to meet up some day in the non virtual world. best henry

we seem to share some similar tastes in wines. looking forward to sharing a few bottles in the future!

your collection is incredible. I always love seeing those old Rolex subbies Thanks for sharing Julian

A pleasure to read about such a valuable and entertaining member of our community! Bill sure has style!

Quite a complement, coming from you! I’ll try to post more, and better always a pleasure Bill. Perhaps someday we will meet and saber a bottle or two.

Great interview! AT

For some deep insights into the man behind the posts and for all the work you are doing to keep our virtual home opened and heated. Family, ocean, wine and watches. Life can be good 😊 Best, Martin

Best, Dogu

congrats!

I admire the passion to own multiple samples of the same piece, and as you infer, that will help keep at least one of them going for a long time!

Bill, Thanks for the stories. We've met a few times since 2008 but I don't remember much as we both, either separately or together, had been hitting the red wine... Am I old if I remember something called a Winchester hard disk drive? As a young graduate,...  

I looked them up just now kinda short lived but it was all the rage back in the 1980's. Industry Software Fate Acquired Successor Borland Founded August 1980 Founder George Tate, Hal Lashlee Defunct October 1991 Headquarters Torrance, California, US Produ... 

Thank you, Bill for sharing with us the many virtues which make you a person and collector. Hopefully we will catch up soon! All the best to you and yours from south of the border. Alex

A really inspiring read, this And your final motto is one everyone can take to heart, Bill! Thanks for all the behind the scenes work you do that ensures our favourite second (for some first) home is seamlessly running 24/7.

Am i working hard or hardly working. It is such a pleasure to hang out in the forum with so many cool members. Tjank you for sll hour great contributions. Bill

hope to see you again somewhere in Europe 🙏

Obvious Passion on display here, which is a hugely honorable pastime when executed by Bill. You earned your stripes over time and have "dived in deep" so to speak! Thank you for sharing, and I enjoy living vicariously through you, especially when it comes... 

With you so close we should get together in 2018. Bill

... viewing your collection and reading your thoughts and comments! I know well and share the meaning of your words: a family which plays together stays together! I’m 69 and going through some experiences which confirm what I had always thought: how impor... 

I remember when you posted a picture of young Abel diving and I saved it because it reminded me so much of the those fund days. Looking forward to a future encounter. Best Bill

... this nice friendship at distance. I feel honored to know you keep that old picture of my youth first steps with Scuba diving! Thank you so much Bill! All the best! Abel.

nice read! I’m a huge fan of Bill, his collection, style and also more personally (as I used to work with him when I was a PuristSPro moderator), a very professional and loyal team member and friend. Got to know Bill better thru this post. Thanks for shar... 

A colorful account of a passionate vintage collector and someone who is so ready to share his knowledge. Not only do we learn about your hobbies but also insight into your life motto. When I started researching into vintage rolex, your posts were among th... 

Great admiration for all you have done for the Purists community. Wishing you all the best going forward and hopefully a GTG with you one day. Best Regards, Fernando

was a pleasure reading your story And bang on about family All my best Imran

I appreciate very much now, more than before, the historical background of the early years of this forum thanks Bill, for the years you (and moderators too) have put into our virtual community. Two thumbs up! - - seeks

Of the Bank of America in Brentwood... It has been an interesting journey, to say the least... So happy to see that symbolically important AmVox still in your collection... Cheers, mate. TM

What a man, what a superb taste for divers tic-tacs, beautiful wines and love for cars, boats.. - A true connoisseur and gentleman ! I had the pleasure to get to know Bill on one of my first Paris GTGs, through Nico (if I remember correctly it was 2010 or... 

We did only have a the one real life meeting but I have the pleasure continuously to enjoy your company here in our virtual world. I think we all teach each other a little something here and a little something there. Best wishes to you in the holiday seas... 

.. commenting on a series of splendid Rolex specimens, just to name one example. - Really learned a lot !! And meeting you in person in Pariswas a special pleasure, so these encounters in our virtual world always were & are true pleasure ! Thx and Happy F... 

Its sure is a nice read and thank you for all your effort for this great community . I am only a few years here but its such a nice and warm community 🤗 . Your live motto is beautiful and i can only agree with it 🙏🏻

Boats Wines Watches Cars You sir are my kind of guy. My hat's off to you!