Horological Meandering

Man..this is one of those posts that reveal and share how ordinary, often silly, but indifferent person I am.

In the purists, I felt that I was probably the MOST disliked personality...it hurt, and was one of the reasons, the biggest reason, why I left.

I guess I am one of those who are more worried about animal cruelty than wars.

Also, watch collecting is important....but it is a hobby to me.

I hope it makes people genuine, and also...helpful to each other.

It was watch collecting, that made me unpopular because I was the least wealthy, and least likely to buy, customer in my country.

In the early years, the REALLY powerful collectors, they NEVER told people, or showed people, what they had.

I did.

It was considered POOR TASTE, BOASTFUL, and sort of low class.

I guess they were right.

But, being me...I didn't give a rat's ass.

I wanted people to come out and share.

Today, I hope things have changed...that people share. I really dont care if it is showing off....it is fun.

But..for what it is worth....here is what I have to share.

 

 

Friends...I now know that REAL friends are VERY happy that you do well, and are celebrating when you get something good.

I am a bit "dumb" here, because I never really understood jealousy or envy, and maybe that hurt me more than anything else.

 

I love all animals...and maybe that's why I am a doctor.

 

High End Audio. Exotic Aquariums. Antiques. Old books…I had been blessed with them all. I gave them away, never sold them, but gave them to people who I guessed would not EVER have spare cash to buy them, ever…but loved to own a set.

 

I bought a custom hand made Oracle CD Mark3 from a Canadian French maker, because after I had auditioned it, and did rather empirical tests, I found this, paired with the GATO in Class A 150 amps, into Fujitsu Hand made solid, box free, dynamic cone speakers, gave me a sound which I found could better my previous Krell/ Apogee’s transparency and speed.

High End Audio brought me into a world of “superlatives”, beyond the stratosphere of even wine or art…because I was an avid musician since the age of 6.

It taught me about passion, and the cost no object, status no relevance, state of mind.

 

 

I was fascinated with CNC machine work.

Today, I think I was early, in using 3D printing way back in 2007...

I realised that even in cutting this remote controls...the precision required a GREAT deal of SKILL.

This GATO remote weighs 1kg...and is milled from a SOLID block of stainless 916L steel.

Wrist watches. These taught me about life.

Because it taught me about how people would be and behave, at their worse…during peacetime.

Wrist watches taught me about self awareness. I know that I buy a platinum brand X because of the status. However, many times, I did not know I bought a brand because of status.

 

I thought I knew that posting pictures of one's own watches was "showing off" and "boastful", but I never understood another facet....envy.

That was a HUGE mistake.

Trust me, I wanted to show off these watches, but sharing them was more imprtant to me.

I could not understand the anonymous power of posting too...which was why I never had a anonymous post. Mistake.

 

I loved the DB28.

It was a watch I saved up for...took me a long time.

I also collected almost ALL of Marc Newson's watches.

I loved MB&F because I liked Max Busser.

He is a good man.

Although he is 12 years younger than I am...I admired him.

 

Finally….I enjoyed the fruits of labour…being able to afford incredible cameras, although I was self aware that my photography sucked.

 

Owning a Leica or a Sony RX1, taught me about people, and how honest or dismissive they are.

 

I learned to make a lot of money.

There is no secret. GOD came first.  Health. Hard work. Some degree of advertising. Good parents and wife and kids. God. Guts to be honestly blunt. Help people, with NO thoughts or expectations of returns. And going back to the Bible, GOD.

 

The singular God I worship…Jesus.

 

I bet he would have worn a Vianney Halter.

I bet he would not have been a Patek person.

Ulysse Nardin.

It was the only conservative brand I liked. Although they made some GREAT crazy stuff.

The FREAK was to me, just a thing I wanted. It was cool in 2002, and is still cool in 2013.

Also....

Because Rolf was incredibly humble, at least to me.

I found him REAL.

I collect everything.

 

 

I like OMEGA as a brand and as a company.

They appear to be the "underdog", but I suspect otherwise.

They are just HUGE.

The Ploprof forms the center of my Omega collection.

I love the utilitarian look, and that the apparent step, between the crown guard and case, is made to look as if it is an error.

Oh.

I missed the auction.

But...I managed to buy it off the winner.

This HM4 Panda, is special to me...more later when I post the pics of it after I wear it for a few weeks.

My 10 by 10 feet room, where I work.

That’s life.

 

I earned every penny from this 10 by 10 room…..in a humble township.

 

Enough to collect some really fun watches.

 

Buy a few nice cars for parents.

 

Finally…loving people surrounded me. Thanks for all these.

 

Also…I wish to say that I am a GREAT fan of SJX, and it was sad to see him leave.

 

I love my work.

It is stress free because I don't need the money.

I actually can help folks, because I can treat them free of charge.

 

Its nice to see someone with so much passion about many things.  Its a privilege to read your opinions.

But today, I use it for listening to audio books.

 

I share your deep passion for fine audiophile.

Is the first picture Gallo ?

 

great to have you continue to post and share your passion.
This site would not be the same without your presense!
Keep'm coming!

S

The day I first saw the INNOVISION Freak in July 2007

 

why you would feel that you have to leave, but then again I do not fit the nominal PuristS mold. I think we need these posts for perspective, as the limit between sharing and postings versus bragging and boasting is not sharply defined.

This early version.

The latest, I can manouvre it by magnetic field around.

It is an amazing toy, that alloys me to see inside my own body, what goes on...the resolution of the images captured is incredible.

The fibre optic version, allowed me to see inside the IWC Portugese.

 

You seem to be a collector of stuff not just watches.

Micro 4/3 ... LOL

Hi Bernard,

This is a watch I saved to buy, but escaped before I could ever see it again.

Have you guys ever seen one anywhere? Used will be great.

I mean, its just one of those weird but old looking watches.

 

sadly the freak has gone, but you are still here to give us inspiration in having fun with watches. if it wasnt fun i would give up.

best
Graham.

That watch reminded me of the Mazda Cosmo Rotary.

In Singapore, TOO expensive.

 

i found a way to buy a used freak 1, but other issues forced me to sell it 4 years later.
sad, but better to have owned and appreciated than never to have owned at all i think.

best
Graham

The comment I get has to be " this is the watch which the mad doctor collector is wearing !" 

Man..the ANTIQUA..you are, in my mind, having a Voison V12.

In its day, it was not popular, but it was COOL....like the Antiqua.

 

Yet, I love that style! Unashamed...happy to be who you are....

If/when you come, ask Alan at TheHourGlass or SJX how to find me.

Meanwhile, I am actually playing "engine" maker, by making a coffee table with a rusty version of this V12

 

i beat you too it Bernard.
mine might only be a rover v8, but i've had it for over 2 years and love it. a real boys toy.

G

I like it.

no way!!

Today:

 

 

Next Year:

 

And in 2020

I often find them interesting, at times offering different perspectives.  I mean whether one agrees or not, it doesn't really matter.  It is just for SHARING.

Melvin

Wow Bernard what a post unbelievable !
The best post ever !
But you know Bernard you'll find always the people who does not like the way how you share with friend and non the things ! You have only to go over it and share as much as you can because for one of them there are another million people who are waiting just your post like me !! I really love your post so please keep posting as much as you can !
I also love your stuff....specially your watch collection and now that I read you will receive soon an HM4 only watch....I'm really looking forward for that post !!

Thank you for sharing with us you emotional new acquisition !

Have a nice day

Best

Giancarlo

Like your style. Always have, always will. 

Full of the honesty that we have come to respect deeply over the years.

I don't know whether Jesus would have worn a VH, but it makes me smile to think about it -- need to wear mine today!

I am with you on SJX -- life goes on, I suppose.

Be well!

Best,

Gary

Bernard,  I don't understand.

You left because you felt disliked and since you don't give a rat's ass about what other people think why continue to post here?  Certainly posting here has made you unhappy in the past and if your goal is to have a fun life, "not think too much", enjoy and be fun to be good company isn't posting here contradictory to your own message?

Don't get me wrong.  I've always enjoyed your posts, they are visceral and provoking...I hope you continue.

But what is the real message here besides showing us all your cool stuff ?

I hope you also realize that Real friends tell you like it is, the honest truth, even when it hurts.  They also have to question your actions, not to play "yes men" all the time. 

And I have to ask.

Wasn't there a time during your youth when you wanted a rich lifestyle and nice things?  Didn't that desire propel you to succeed personally and professionally?  Sorry if I don't believe that you've never experienced envy or jealousy...

But it is your actions which define you.  Jealousy and envy become problematic when they start affecting your integrity.  I believe you are a honest hardworking man Bernard. 

There are others in our "hobby" not so transparent.  Andrew's recent post on PuristSPro standards is a reminder of this.

Warmest, Mike

There are websites and even MORE websites on life and watches appearing every week.

But, there are the OLD GRAND websites...like this one.

I left as a moderator. But not as a participant.

Because I could not, at my age, and work commitments, keep up.

Or even keep relevant.

But I want to continue to share, and to offer some guidance, if it is relevant.

I think many people can grow your site.

It should, as you already do, be encouraging all who have interests to share, especially those who do not own or buy....for what ever personal reasons.

No right way, no wrong way.

Just censor if it hurts people. No need to censor if it hurts a brand, not yet...because they have their own people to defend themselves...just alert them that they have drawn critique.

I think, as a doctor, one should not censor people, until we FULLY understand ALL the relevant points of view he/she could be posting from.

I may be wrong.

FACT: I may be wrong more than 50% of the time...or vice versa.

I TOTALLY appreciate your response. But, you see...that is ME. Someone else...he/she may be hurt.

I am at the core, an analyst. I analyse data....ALL kinds of human responses, and I see them as what makes us human.

I see BOTH negative and positive responses as human.

Brands see them as sales/no sales.

There is no mal intent with my post and I thank you for not seeing it as such.

Like you, I'm a physician who was always taught to question.  That's what I do everyday to understand why my patients come to visit me.  Since 100% of my patients are women and I, as a man, will never have some of the same physical ailments I have to ask even more questions than perhaps my female colleagues.  So I question, not out of spite but to understand since I obviously didn't get the message for your post.

But yes I understand how watches can cause people to be their worst at peacetime...these instances are usually with people connected to the industry not necessarily the brands. People leveraging their "specialized knowledge" for some gain.  In fact it is the "average" collector, my friends at local GTGs who always demonstrate the best human qualities.  Everyday people sharing their knowledge, time, and expertise on ThePuristS and PuristSPro independently. 

That is why this grand old site will always outdo the new sites.  Because we are independent.  There is a Purist Code of Conduct and a Purist standard which has been established over time. We have always seen both negative and positive responses as human and credible, without censoring immediately.  Integrity is the key for growing our site.

All the best to you, good health, and thanks again for your reply

Mike