WristScan

As announced yesterday the theme this weekend is New Beginnings. What I mean is for you to imagine a situation. Where you have all your current knowledge and experience of watches but not a single watch. What would you start your collection with in that c...  

Of the collection was to start from scratch again I would definitely add the following straight away: I think the following would also make it in immediately… This one as soon as I could find it, so five or take six years later… 😂 Definitely this… And thi...  

Interesting thoughts on your collection and the question of starting your collection from scratch. I also find it interesting that your first serious watch that started this was your Chopard.

My first post here, the first serious watch, and look at where it led to 😂🤷🏻‍♂️ I certainly have some regrets, too - not getting the Cartier CPCP 2396C, when offered by a dear friend for a fair price (today it’s more than 4x that), for one 🤷🏻‍♂️ Sure, bac... 

The Cartier is a very cool watch. Perhaps one day another opportunity will come along. As for values we have to look elsewhere as other options still exist.

Most of those that I really desired (fortunately not all), have shot through the roof since last year 🤷🏻‍♂️

But seriously, that Chopard is one cool looking watch! 👍

Compete in the sense of the entries being considered in the competition, more as in setting the scene 😊👍🏻

I will of course try to give it a go as this theme is really interesting!

Goes to show that a well proportioned 34mm watch works as well today as it always has 🙌🏻👌🏻👏🏻

Additionally you have set the bar very high with your choices and photography. Your choices were no surprise to me as these watches have come to be like a signature for you: superb watches which you have hunted for long time in some cases and all so close...  

A Rolex Submariner is definitely a great starting point for your collection and following it up with something from Omega and Panerai sounds like a good plan ! Less greedy… it’ll never happen ! Stay just the way you are my dear friend !

I´m very happy with Omega brand. New products are usually available at their AD´s and Boutiques at announced prices and we are always well received by their representatives. Of course there are a few models made in very low quantities but in general you c... 

And with the possible exception of a dressy occasion you cover all the bases, and with pieces that would be sourceable even nowadays! And I fully understand what you’re saying by ‘less greedy’ 🙌🏻👌🏻👏🏻

Vintage Sub with the diving instrument, the 70s style datejust quartz, and the Explorer in the lap of that exotic lady! 🍻

.. I enjoy browsing through the entries.. - As far as it concerns of your own intro chip-ins, for me the VC and the Fly-back Chopard first, please. - But also your other choices are very well taken ( Minerva, Ming & Habring2 just to name a few).- To make ... 

Actually I have been traveling this weekend, too, so I fully understand you 😊

I am sure there are many finer pieces on the site 👍🏻

The closest in terms of many areas nowadays are Habring IMHO

in 2006 with one of the least expensive Speedmaster versions. It then proceeded to 2 TAGs - the Monza and Grand Carrera C.36, and the Longines Evidenza. This stretch of 'collecting' however ended in 2010 with the peak of the Great Recession looming, so I ...  

I hope you achieve your collecting goals.

I wholeheartedly appreciate it . Cheers to that, Filip

And a CK 859.

the first one I buy next! Ideally, years down the line, I'd love to get one PP as well, but I'm not nearly as decisive on which one that may be as I am with the JLC/VC/Omega set........ (and also, I won't be spending $200K on a Patek LoL )

A new Speedmaster is a great choice.

Hope all adorn your collection in a foreseeable period of time!

Cheers, Filip

No need to rush when collecting. Everything requires time... and stars alignment! Good luck in your collecting journey InHavenPro! Hagwe! Abel

The other ones hopefully won't take quite as long a time as this AMVOX has, those circumstances were truly one-of-a-kind, but I am in no particular rush, I have a couple of watches to enjoy, and when the 'stars align', I will make my subsequent purchases.... 

All the best my friend. Abel

. . . a clear pattern emerged. A vintage collection would not be viable, as going that route requires time, education, and most importantly, reliable watchmakers and parts sources. No one coming in cold should attempt assembling a vintage-themed collectio...  

Firstly, I completely agree with you about the vintage route being exceptionally difficult to navigate without experience and specialist backup and second, I would definitely recommend a Speedmaster at a perfect foundation to starting a collection.

And not a piece I can disagree with - impeccable logic as always 😊

quite obviously . Cheers Art, Filip

An interesting choice for restarting collecting you share here. A Speedy is a fantastic number one always. The A386 is a dream for me but considering the present prices niche I feel it will remain just like this, a dream. Anyway I enjoy so much a present ... 

You made me think hard about this . Not as easy as we think to start all over again but with the knowledge from now i would definitely jump straight into independent brands I guess. I started like almost all collectors with the big brands but nowadays i w...  

Plenty more independents tii or add along the way.

That I think some of us would jump to sooner if the collection started from scratch 😊

And your final sentence very much resonates with me - many of my pieces now have an emotional significance and are tough to think of separating from. Starting from scratch I would most likely follow the less is more approach as well 😊👍🏻 And while all of y... 

Some weeks ago I thought about this or similar. Nice case. But I was not sure. ...  

Love that case design, different yet stylish. Also very still underrated . Lets both get one 😉🙏🏻

Hi Think a large number of what I have wouldn't change, but might be acquired differently. The key bit over learnt is that if it feels right then it probably is. So I'd aim to have fewer regrets about not buying stuff. These would still be on the roster R...  

On that cool Omega !

Sort of learnt my lesson by then - but not entirely. Cheers JML

There would still be additional learning going forward 😊

And it would have been a real shock if your answer didn’t entail an alarm or three 😂 What you are saying about acquiring pieces differently also resonates 👍🏻

Keep enjoying collecting and wearing your pieces my friend. Hagwe! Abel

I guess these three would be a good start: Grandpa’s Omega: My (most) daily wearer: (with an accidental cyclops) And this: Some fantastic selections from others here as well. And I might have a new one in the next day or so… ...  

And I simply love that accidental cyclops - always keeping a tongue in cheek is part of the journey, too 😁

The accidental cyclops really was an accident. I sat down after doing a few things in the kitchen and there it was. I thought it would make an interesting picture 😁. Cheers!

... during these last days. Of course your Grandpa´s Omega is a must in case of restarting a collection!! Have a nice weekend! Abel

The Explorer is a very easy watch to wear — practical but still interesting. And it wears its scratches well. Might have something new next weekend. And yes this forum, especially a couple of members, is/are to blame 😉.

Look forward to view your new catch! Agree with you that this Forum is inspirational! Lol! Cheers, Abel

Luckily for me most of the new acquisitions since then i would buy again should I have to start from scratch again today. Maybe with the difference i may not be getting them in the same order and in specific for the watches not yet in my current collectio...  

. . . which I could easily swap in . . . . . . for the GS that's on my list. I hate to use the term 'killer' in the context of VC, but killer it is! Art ...  

Three superb choices from Vacheron.

Wasn’t aware you pressed the reset button 18 months ago. The choices are superb and very understandable - I see in many ways our tastes align 😊 Good luck in securing the ones you are still hunting 👌🏻🤞🏻

The only good thing coming out of it is now I seem to know better what I like on my wrist. Interesting indeed we share similar tastes! 😁. I wanted to have both sports and dressy watch. This year I am focusing more on the 38-40 time only watch that could w... 

if i were to start my collecting journey afresh, i would start my focus on the simple, not too big, time and date (no date is also fine) watches as reflected in my recent purchases... have a great weekend everyone! ...  

Perfect choice for a collection.

Nice, elegant collection - something I appreciate a lot 🙌🏻👌🏻👏🏻

Keep enjoying your wonderful collection so much! Hagwe! Abel

for the Moser that i'm waiting for, 1 is coming soon, but the other will have to wait till next year...

… finally receive it. You’ll keep enjoying your new one and your nice collection in the meantime. All the best, Abel

If I were to start again, as much as I love all the watches in my small collection (and a few that I still wish for), I’d slim it down and simplify to stick to just the first 3 I ever purchased, which were the first to immediately capture my imagination a...  

Have a nice weekend! Abel

Sea Dweller, Reverso and Pogue - you really cover all bases with just three pieces 👌🏻🙌🏻

Like I did with Girard Perregaux Vintage, rich history and reasonable price Nivada Grenchen, same, good connection between new and vintage ...  

There is indeed a treasure trove of a history from GP and at the moment it’s still borderline available. Likewise your Nivada is a great example of a Phoenix successfully resurrected 👍🏻

Like the handwound Nivada very much. A new watch with a lot of vintage flair.

I like this hypothetical question. It’s been more than a decade of being addicted to acquiring watches. Sometimes I look at my watches and wonder if I bought them on impulse. Some pieces grew more beautiful in my eyes, some became regrets. My regrets: 1) ...  

Your Seamaster Tantalium is stunning! And a cute company you share in your last shot! Hagwe! Abel

And regrets, I have had a few myself. Definitely agree with your categories, too! And that praying mantis - genius 👌🏻👍🏻

I would have paid more attention to the GMTM, particularly the 1675. Same reference but with many different variations, some known, some unknown, each one has its own distinct charm which to me is a totally different and unique watch. Cheers! ...  

Nice shot of your GMT you share here! Hagwe, Abel

And exploring it further definitely a worthwhile pursuit. Great sample shot, too 👌🏻👍🏻

Hello dear Kristjan and friends. Starting a collection from scratch today would in my opinion be very exciting. Especially armed with several decades of knowledge. The landscape for watches is very different today but I still believe that you can have a l...  

I think I gave up on the PP without trying (so maybe I should) just because I don’t feel like call an AD to be told it will take “x” years for me to get one…but maybe I should at least make the call! The VC is likely easier to source and I felt it might b... 

Also agree that a daily beater like the Doxa is a great way to go and at a very reasonable price. A Calatrava is a timeless design no doubt and the VH... well we are entering in another League here with this awesome timepiece! Lol! Well thought my dear fr... 

And all within a day, too 😊 Definitely think the new Calatrava does many a thing right and the VH - perfection 👌🏻👍🏻