One day just one watch
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Watch fever, how it all got started...
When I was still in school and making some money being a dishwasher in a restaurant, most kids were wearing Swatch watches. They were not that expensive and came in a lot of variations. I had a good friend who was already collecting Swatches and was on the lookout for a ‘black friday’ and other models to start his collection. But what he wore was a stainless steel Rolex Submariner he had been given as a present by his father. My father did not care at all about watches so I had to buy my own, starting with a couple of Swatches and then on to an Edox (which I still have after more than 30 years), Seiko and then an Oris. But I always wanted that Rolex my friend was wearing. But it was too expensive for me. So when I was 25 years old I was able to buy my first second hand Rolex, it was a Rolex Date with a white face and I was very proud of it. But then when my career took off and I moved in with my wife things really got crazy. My brother in law was also crazy about watches so the frenzy started and we had sort of a competition and we started to build a collection. Omega, Panerai, JLC, Audemars Piquet, Eberhard & Co, IWC, Tag Heuer, Jean Richard, Sinn and Rolex.... a lot of Rolex watches came and went.
And now after more than 30 years I only have a few watches from Rolex and Patek Philippe. Gone are the days when the watches had to be flashy and recognizable. Now I tend to look for iconic watches or watches that are special to me for whatever reason. And if someone asks me which brand/ model is my all time favourite it is the one that started the whole thimg, the Rolex Submariner my friend was wearing when I was still in school. I have a lot of love for the Daytona, the Aquanaut and heck even for the Air King, but if I could only keep one from my current collection it would be the robust, clean faced, no nonsense Rolex Submariner no date. What would yours be?
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Watch fever, how it all got started...
When I was still in school and making some money being a dishwasher in a restaurant, most kids were wearing Swatch watches. They were not that expensive and came in a lot of variations. I had a good friend who was already collecting Swatches and was on th...
Thanks for sharing your story and journey into watches.
It sounds like you are now in a great place and enjoy the essence of your journey. In everyone's collecting history there is always a Rolex somewhere. Enjoy
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Very nice post.
If I had to keep only one or two Rolex or Tudor, it wold be these two: But luckily, I don't have to keep only one or two, for the moment... Best, Nicolas ...
Beautiful GMT Pepsi
I love the older versions of the GMT. And those two you would keep, I completely understand. Luckily, there is no need to make a choice. But the ‘what if’ question is one I ask myself from time to time. Thanks for your response!
Thanks for sharing your story .
I think i went down the same path as you , also started 30 years ago but then with a Baume et Mercier (witch i still have) after a lot of Big Brands my path went to the independent brands around 10 years ago . But i still own my first Rolex . A aftermarke...
You could be my brother since he started with Baume et Mercier almost 30 years ago
But I know for a fact that he does not have a DSSD DeepBlue, so you are not my brother😉 but a fellow Dutchman. I would like to see your DSSD so if you pictures...
Ok i need to do some deep digging as i didnt wear it for a long time . Give me a moment 😉
Its the best one i can find for this moment 😬 ...
Thanks for sharing the story and the photo.
I can appreciate and understand your love for the Submariner having acquired one about three weeks ago. It is my first Rolex to boot. I didn’t realize how quickly this watch would make such a strong and positive impression on me — not sure when my Omega S...
I think I'm in the same camp.
Only one, then the multi purpose Submariner which in my case is the Hulk. It would be a close call with my first Rolex, a "SWISS-T<25" Sea-Dweller which I purchased second hand about 19-20 years ago. In some respects it's probably a better size for me tha...
It all started for me nearly 30 years ago with a 5 digit Rolex (16710)
Now I've come full circle having bought a 16610 a couple weeks ago in Roma. After all this time I must confess that the 5 digit Rolex references are incredibly satisfying to wear-- perfect size, classic look, durable and so useable. ...
The one that got away, the 16710...
I used to have one years and years ago and regretfully sold it to be able to buy another watch. I think that the 16710 with the Pepsi bezel (with an extra black bezel) is the only Rolex I truly regret selling. Which is why I am on the waiting list for the...
What a story ! Well deserved !
You deserve the Rolex submariner and glad to hear that it has a special place in your heart and viewing it gives you sense of achievement and reminds you of your hard work and past and old memories
In the end every single watch tells a story
And all stories combined make up for a lifetime collecting watches...thanks for your reply