Sad to see this one go..

Dec 24, 2018,21:44 PM
 

But it was time.

I've had this one for 15 years. I thought it was going to be one of those pieces that I'd never sell. It is a moonwatch after all. Halfway through the ownership phase, I noticed that I wasn't wearing it as much. But I never really thought of selling it because it has all those qualities of a versatile, daily wearer (ironically). Sort of like a nice crisp white shirt. I don't really wear one but it's supposed to be a staple, yes? And that is what the moonwatch turned out to be for me. It was something that I wore regularly which then drifted into becoming a "staple". A collection just needs to have one whether you wear it or not.

My first bit of ownership doubt came when I had to service the watch after 7 years. Yes, had to as opposed to just wanting to as it really needed to get checked. It just stopped one day and I was unable to turn the crown to power it. Off it went to Omega service and was promptly slapped with a bill that cost half the price I paid for the watch.. because it was a chronograph, and an "1861" at that.. of course they had a price table and all that so it was all above board but still. I went through the service justifying that it was a "keeper".

Another 6 or so years go by and I encountered problems with it. Same problems more or less. Off it went but this time to a watchmaker that I came across the boards for half the cost. I figure another 7 years and it's going to be really funny right?

But the market for these things weren't so good. I can probably get back what I paid for it back in '03 but I just thought that it was just too much watch for what the market was willing to pay for it. So it stayed.

A few weeks ago I was in conversation with a friend who casually mentioned that it was one his "grail" pieces. So I offered to sell him mine.

I got a good price for it. Even made a few bucks off the sale covering even all the service costs that I had done to it. It was the right time to let go.

Or was it.

The next fews days I was thinking about the sale. I did well but why did I feel like it left a hole somewhere in my own personal journey.

I even came to the conclusion that even at the price that I sold it versus current price for a brand new one, that moonwatches in general are still undervalued. It just made me realize that the moonwatch even at current retail is still one of the best deals out there. It is a LOT of watch for the price. It's a really really good watch. Who else has a long uninterrupted history of selling the same movement and case from way back with a ton of arguable marketing history to go with it smile

Do I feel that there's a hole somewhere? Yes. Did I come out on top? Arguably yes. Was it a 100% feel good transaction? Not exactly but I comfort myself with the fact that it went to a good friend.

Am I going to get another?

Now THAT is the question.

The question is WHAT as there are a ton of choices out there. Lots of speedmaster noise.

I'll bide my time on this one. For now, a speedmaster 60th is on the list. And maybe a FOIS re-issue. Who knows. Maybe I stay off it for good. Maybe not.

One thing is for sure, letting go is a good way to gauge love. i'm not sure yet about love but this one made me think quite a bit.

It was a good journey. Maybe again, one day. For now, I enjoy the memories. Best, Echi














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Thanks for this post Echi!

 
 By: KMII : December 24th, 2018-23:37
In some ways it really expresses my feelings about this piece. I love it on pictures and understand the value and heritage, yet it simply doesn’t sing to me when on my wrist. Countless times I thought I needed one in my collection and then pulled back. Go... 

Hey KMII..

 
 By: Echi : December 25th, 2018-00:38
Hope your move is going/has gone smoothly! I think it's one of the very few pieces that strongly trades on sentimentility (it's a lot of people's first nice watch, for example) and make one really doubt when it's time to sell. It's probably one of the las... 

How right you are, Echi 😊

 
 By: KMII : December 25th, 2018-05:29
Long ago learned the never say never bit - applies to our hobby very well. As for the move, still ongoing. We should physically move early January and then there’s some additional details to sort but the most important bits will be arranged by then 🤞🏻👍🏻 ... 

I truly enjoyed reading your writing

 
 By: Seeks : December 25th, 2018-00:05
As you say, one of the signs of falling out of love with the watch is the diminishing time the watch spends on our wrists. Hope you have not given up a Speedy... since there are many iterations of it, perhaps one version will sing to you Warmest regards t... 

Hi Seeks..

 
 By: Echi : December 25th, 2018-00:44
Nope, not at all. But I maybe have freed myself from a dangerous mind construct that one needs to have this or that for ones collection (if one can even call it a collection). If it has stopped accompanying us through our journeys maybe the relationship n... 

I see your point Echi..👍

 
 By: Seeks : December 26th, 2018-06:11
Let’s see what 2019 brings my friend ! Warmest regards

I need to see one in the flesh..

 
 By: Echi : December 25th, 2018-00:45
I understand how it's cool especially the black with the racing strap Let's see my friend.

Excellent post Echi

 
 By: Ares501 - Mr Green : December 25th, 2018-00:43
Exactly what I'm "fighting" with last couple of months....to own or to wear...or as you said it having if but not wearing it makes les and less sense for me...maybe time to lower number but highten pleasure is here. Thanks for reminder of new round of inn... 

Good luck, D!

 
 By: Echi : December 25th, 2018-00:47
The inner battle.. quite tough! Best, Echi

The Moonwatch has a split personality, indeed...

 
 By: JLCman : December 25th, 2018-01:09
Well, Echi, I own a Speedie too, one of the rarer pieces. A 1989 Apollo 11 numbered display back version. And I still love it! Though it’s quite unspectacular by today’s standards I feel a strong connection to it’s history - just emotions from back of the... 

Ah that last statement of yours..

 
 By: Echi : December 25th, 2018-01:17
It's a bit like a good friend you don't notice as long as he is in your neighborhood Accurately describes the feeling. When it departs, one does take notice. I might consider pulling a trigger on something like a 2005 blue dial Gemini IV 40th but that's g... 

If last years limited 2915 homage hits high notes for you, Echi, but . . .

 
 By: Dr No : December 25th, 2018-10:48
. . . the cost of admission is too steep, there's the limited production Broad Arrow from the late '90s - early '00s . . . [Ω ref 3594.50.00 / image courtesy Omega's website] . . . that trades for substantially less. Do you remember the 2915 that went for...  

I toyed with this version as well, Art..

 
 By: Echi : December 25th, 2018-19:13
But I'm not sure. I find the case a tad chunky. I've seen these a long time ago. The 2915 trilogy is a bit steep and the fake patina holds me back as well. Having one is ok (our RM) but to have another one might be too much. Or not. Again, I don't know. W... 

I viewed the Phillips 2915 in the metal back in April . . .

 
 By: Dr No : December 25th, 2018-19:36
. . . and the bezel did strike as more than slightly odd. In my book, it was probably lifted from a 3594.50.00. Art