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Re-connection, and end-game watches...
A couple of weeks ago, out of the blue, an ‘old-timer’ Purist got in touch just to ask after a particular watch, almost as if it were an old mutual friend (which, in some ways, it is!). That sparked a couple of weeks of casual email conversation about watches once loved; watches now loved; watches won, watches lost and watches that may yet be.
The conversation was so easy, and so enjoyable; it brought to mind quite vividly the sort of dialogue that enthusiasts were able to enjoy on the boards in less busy, more intimate times. It was a delight to re-connect with someone from days past; hopefully they will read this in NJ and know how gratifying it was for an isolated Antipodean to see that passion, knowledge and …(what was that third thing???)… are still very much the touchstones for many in the collecting community. Indeed, it would be great to hear from some of the other ‘old-timers’ as well, even if it’s just a ‘hello’ to let us know you are still out there, and doing well.
Inevitably, perhaps, the dialogue turned to that age-old question of ‘what is your end-game watch?’ It’s a question which we have probably all asked ourselves more than once. For some of us, the answer has changed from time to time; for others, the answer will have remained steadfastly the same. It is a question which often appears on the forum and it may even have appeared recently; apologies if it has! Stimulated by that recent exchange, though, here is the question again: what watch, if you could acquire it tomorrow, would be so completely satisfying that it would be the end of your collecting journey?
Here’s a couple of thoughts to help focus your thinking. First, it probably isn’t in your collection already; if it were, then you wouldn’t still be collecting and you probably wouldn’t be here! Second, it may be – but it may not be – the same as your ‘grail’ watch. Some enthusiasts have been lucky enough to find their holy-of-holies, the nec plus ultra, but continue to collect anyway. Some enthusiasts who may never obtain their ‘grail’ may have in their sights a different watch that would be the end to their collecting.
From a personal perspective the answer remains unchanged, at least since 2015. It may be surprising, but after years of wandering amongst the big brands and the independents, gradually identifying preferences and refining tastes along the way, this is the watch that would bring an immediate end to it all:
(Photo credit: ‘Origami’ on Chronomania)
If you can be persuaded, it would be interesting to know whether you have an end-game watch, and perhaps to see a picture of it.
Cheers,
pplater.
What a great read, thank you!
Its always a pleasure to discuss with old timers in the forums. That family feel is something unique to collectors that meet on a mutual love base rather than on an interest base.
For me, the end game has to be a watch that I could wear daily, at any circumstance, do anything and will be great on the wrist and pleasant to the eyes.
Therefore, to use existing examples:
-100M is a must (the 80m of the MB&F LM EVO would fit the bill here),
-pleasant to the eyes (I love the dial of the DSSD JC, always a pleasure to look at).
-Easy to read...
-A brand that will last, so the next generation will enjoy the watch.
-Comfortable enough but not too lite, needs a heft but not heavy (that's the reason a Deepsea will not pass)
-From experience, bracelet is preferred.
What will it be?.. 
The ultimate watch
Hi my friends.
I remember well our meeting in Paris Kevin. It was at the time of the Rugby World Cup. In 2007?
It was a pleasure meeting you.
I miss these old days.
I’m happy to give hope to Art. Although I must admit getting this Omega didn’t stop me from desiring other watches, even if it calmed me a whole lot.
Owning a watch at this level, what I had never thought could happen to me, is an incredible pleasure when you’re addicted to horology.
Regarding the subject of this post, as I’ve ever been more interested in horology than just watches, I can say that the ultimate watch would probably be a chiming one.
A 3939 already mentioned in this post, or a 5016 or a 5074, would be a serious contender. A tear drop VC would make it too, or an Audemars Piguet Grande sonnerie.
And of course a chiming Dufour, specially the pocket watch I played with in 1997 when I met Philippe for the first time, would be unbeatable.
Out of chiming watches, pieces inspired or coming from historical Breguet would tempt me a lot. A Parmigiani made Breguet pocket watch is amongst my favourite targets, maybe in the attainable ones as évocateur by Art.
Pocket watches are my future.
And I confess that a Patek ref 942 could well beat everything.
Cheers
Dje
I remember well our meeting in Paris Kevin. It was at the time of the Rugby World Cup. In 2007?
It was a pleasure meeting you.
I miss these old days.
I’m happy to give hope to Art. Although I must admit getting this Omega didn’t stop me from desiring other watches, even if it calmed me a whole lot.
Owning a watch at this level, what I had never thought could happen to me, is an incredible pleasure when you’re addicted to horology.
Regarding the subject of this post, as I’ve ever been more interested in horology than just watches, I can say that the ultimate watch would probably be a chiming one.
A 3939 already mentioned in this post, or a 5016 or a 5074, would be a serious contender. A tear drop VC would make it too, or an Audemars Piguet Grande sonnerie.
And of course a chiming Dufour, specially the pocket watch I played with in 1997 when I met Philippe for the first time, would be unbeatable.
Out of chiming watches, pieces inspired or coming from historical Breguet would tempt me a lot. A Parmigiani made Breguet pocket watch is amongst my favourite targets, maybe in the attainable ones as évocateur by Art.
Pocket watches are my future.
And I confess that a Patek ref 942 could well beat everything.
Cheers
Dje
“Pocket watches are my future”…
That is a remarkable statement, Dje; yet it could be so prescient. We cannot ignore the number of mainstream brands, and independents, who are continuing to offer pocket watches or who are actually introducing pocket watches to their portfolio. Until very recently they have offered crazy value at auction; collector awareness, though, is catching up. Buy that Daniels ‘Space Traveller’ pocket watch while you can!
It is lovely to see you posting again. Keep it coming.
Cheers,
pplater.
You knew . . .
. . . this was coming.
[photo and watch credit: Dje, 2023]
And if you keep tabs on our Omega forum, you already know that Dje acquired my grail.
Yes, if I were to be as fortunate as Dje and score a blue gold Omega central, my hunting and gathering days would end.
Since it's unlikely to find another example*, and already close to the end of my tether**, the one likely final kill shot would be a Patek of the rectangular sort, powered by the ne plus ultra of movements, their cal 9"'-90.
Not long ago, Julian posted a recent addition to his collection.
This would do nicely.
[I hope he won't mind my posting his PP ref 522 before asking him***.]
* I don't know how many blue gold dials Omega made, but was aware of only one prior to Dje's.
** I've stopped collecting vintage Omega altogether, concentrating on modern production from here on out.
*** Julian: please let me know if you'd like the photo deleted.
Yes, we knew that was coming!…
We didn’t see Dje coming, though! After a long run of JLC and 2 years of absence, that was a very powerful re-entry. Speaking of old-timers, it was nice to read him again; he was very hospitable in Paris some 10 years ago. With Nico, naturally!
Cheers,
pplater.
Cheers,
pplater.
Glad I wasn't drinking coffee when his thread popped up on my screen . . .
. . . 'cause I'd be buying my second computer in six months.
🫗
And now we have your attention…
Which watch could see you hang up your wallet???
Cheers,
pplater.
Cheers,
pplater.
I don’t think there is a end game watch tbh because we are all trapped in this crazy hobby but if I needed to end this hobby for now this would my pick .
A watch that represents everything i look for with my fav complications.
That will do it!…
The glimpse of the hammer is sublime. Quite the endorsement for the brand, coming as it does from ‘Mr Indie’!
Cheers,
pplater.
Cheers,
pplater.
The Haldimann flying tourbillon H8 with no hands is an interesting choice. Just the windmill of the ticking time. The Moser Swiss Alp watch minute repeater concept black might also suit as it incidentally can chime the time.😉
You have expressed it beautifully…
‘Just the windmill of the ticking time’. That is the whole point: to know only that time is passing, very elegantly, but not to know or care how quickly. If it was necessary to know the time at all, then Haldimann also adds the minute repeater to the tourbillon in the H3 ‘Sculptura’. Even the invisible, on demand, minute repeater, though, is a form of enslavement to time.
Cheers,
pplater.
Cheers,
pplater.
the H3 rightfully so. But it would give away time. The Jean-Claude Biver Catharsis for Only time also but there even the tourbillon is invisible.
Which brings us very neatly…
😉 and finally to wearing no wristwatch at all. That aside perhaps a pocketwatch. Cheers.
I remember that discussion. Not sure if it was ex mod Valentin Blank who posted about this piece..
As for me, i always aim for a workable set of watches but leave the door open for change
Valentin certainly championed Haldimann…
…and posted some excellent photographs.
Echi, surely there must be one that would satisfy the thirst?
Cheers,
pplater.
Echi, surely there must be one that would satisfy the thirst?
Cheers,
pplater.
Ah, well, a non existent white dial explorer 1 might slake the thirst for a long while :-)
No need to be an isolated antepodean! Melbourne isn’t too far away! 😂🤘
Happy to chat wstches any day.
Not sure I have an end goal watch, but maybe a Daniels Anniversary would be a good place to stop this madness. 😂
Not sure I have an end goal watch, but maybe a Daniels Anniversary would be a good place to stop this madness. 😂
There is a martini…
…in our future, Bounce!
Daniels: brilliant choice. Not the ‘pure blood’ Millenium?
Cheers,
pplater.
Daniels: brilliant choice. Not the ‘pure blood’ Millenium?
Cheers,
pplater.
There are a few end-game pieces on my list and it's difficult to narrow to one...
But I'll go ahead and pick a Ferdinand Berthoud "dark side of the moon"!
That was quick!…
There is probably no reason why ‘there can be only one!’ It begs the question, though: what are the others?
Cheers,
pplater.
Cheers,
pplater.
Some other choices...
JDN violin-case tourbillon
Krayon Anywhere/Everywhere
Christophe Claret X-trem 1
If I had the money for anything though, my first choice might actually be going to OnlyWatch later this year and trying to win the Barbier Mueller
Krayon Anywhere/Everywhere
Christophe Claret X-trem 1
If I had the money for anything though, my first choice might actually be going to OnlyWatch later this year and trying to win the Barbier Mueller