RabidManatee
2650
Happy Friday all! (Okay let’s try this again).
In chronological order (and ascending cash outlay as it turns out):
I was driving around S. Florida and came upon a watch store. Saw this, looked cool, was only a couple of hundred bucks new… it followed me home.
Thought process: “Cool, yellow… I live in Florida so I should have a dive watch… bargain price!”
Fast forward several years later on a weekend road trip. I walked into a watch shop, started talking watches, saw this, slept on it, walked back in the next day and it too followed me home. Here’s a pic at the dealer.
And here’s a later pic with the watch sans bracelet.
Fast forward several years later on a weekend road trip. I walked into a watch shop, started talking watches, saw this, slept on it, walked back in the next day and it too followed me home. Here’s a pic at the dealer.
And here’s a later pic with the watch sans bracelet.
Thought process: “Don’t have a Grand Seiko… don’t have a GMT… titanium… Hi-Beat movement… look at that dial… screw it, I’m on vacation!”
| view and vote on the images
Our event for Friday 26th “Bought on a Whim” is OPEN now!!
Dear friends: I have the pleasure of being your host this weekend. Our theme requires some kind of confession from me and from our participants. Let me explain: The buying of a new watch usually requires much thoughts and planning and previous financial s...
I will be sharing some of my “bought on a whim” watches later…
Here one of them. While visiting one of my favorite vintage watches shop I viewed this 1960’s Longines Conquest on the wrist of one of the assistants of the shop owner. I asked him to show it to me and fell in love with the overall great condition of the ...
I feel we all need to get some popcorn and pull up a chair ….
I can wait to see more of your “impulse confessions” dear friend 😉
Ha ha ha!! Thank you so much dear Captain! I feel…
… we will have a very fun weekend viewing and reading the confessions of our friends answering our theme. Will be posting more of my sins in a few minutes.😉 I look forward to receive your entry my dear friend!! Cheers! Abel
Fantastic watch on a whim
It looks like the cyclops is outlined in gold. I've never seen that before. Pretty fancy.
Thank you so much Ron for your kind comments. I´m glad you like this watch. The cyclops is on the inside of glass and it is not outlined. It is probably a light reflex from the golden indexes.
I have another watches: a diving model from Ulisse Nardin and a vintage Engineur by IWC which also have the cyclops inside glass though of course an outside cyclops is more generally adopted by Rolex and many other brands. I feel the cyclops inside is mor...
My AD, whom I am friends with was having a watch show and I decided to go.
Went in looked around and spotted this. Decided right then that I wanted it, so I walked out with it. The rest as they say, is "wristery". ...
That truly is an unplanned buy Thomas!! Thank you so much…
… for sharing this fast purchase with us. Big congrats on s great buy. How not to fall in love at first sight? Keep enjoying and loving it so much! Hagwe! Abel
Great theme, Abel! And happy to participate without any shame! 🤣
Beautiful Longines you found! I’m curious to see all your other ones you will share with us. Here are a couple of mine. The Movado Kingmatic is a recent find, and a model that thanks to fellow member Renerod, I knew of, but not really looking to get one. ...
Hello dear Alex! No shame with unplanned purchases! Well done! I guess most of us have had a whim impulse sometime during the collecting journey. I look forward for many entries this weekend.
You share a great couple and I´m sure you have no regrets about following your impulse to own them. Movado is a brand I admire so much. You got a very classy and classic timepiece here. And the Bond SM ... you did so well to follow your whim! I own the sa...
Is THIS even a ligitimate whim?
Many years ago I wanted a BIG watch. This one is big (52mm) and in my eyes looked pretty and had a vintage look. So on a whim I bought first and then read later about what I had bought. Oh no! A pocket-watch conversion frowned upon by watch enthusiasts. I...
Hello Ron! Absolutely it is a legitimate entry! You purchased on a whim and without making a previous study of the piece which is a risky move of course but most important thing is...
... that this piece is still making you smile and feeling joy when you wear it on your wrist even if knowing that it is not a true original creation of the Maison. Having a big size pocket watch movement inside explains the high noise of its tick tack whe...
As promised here are more watches which were bought…
… on a whim: The “real” James Bond watch was made by Swiss brand Moeris. Even a red bar marks the seventh “7” minute or second honoring the 007 license to kill!! How could I let it pass the opportunity of owning it? 😂😂😂 Another unplanned buy: This colorfu...
My Longines whim - long story but a less than 60 seconds event!
It was just over ten years ago and I attended a well-known London auction-house. I was looking to bid for a particular couple of lots, both G-P’s. One third through the lots came this 35mm Longines displayed on the large screen, which caught my casual att...
Hello Clive! Thank you so much for sharing the story behind your nice Longines bought on a whim. Even if its dial has been redone and most purist collectors won´t approve it´s a beautiful classic timepiece .
And the events around it´s purchase makes it very special for you. This makes it worth keeping and enjoying in your collection I feel. Guess many of us own watches which are not "perfect" from the strict purists standards but we still value and enjoy in o...
Like you said i think it happened to almost all of us.
I saw a watch for sale at a local website with a private seller and because it wasn’t that far away I planned a day to see it in person. When i visit the sellers house and looked at the watch I wasn’t sure if it was something for me (bit to small for my t...
Hello Watchonthewrists! Stunning timepiece you share here with an interesting story of being purchased on a whim behind.
It is always interesting to be alert and take a look at the timepiece a watch seller is wearing. It often happens it is an interesting piece ... and to discover it is also for sale can lead to a satisfying unplanned purchase. Well played! Thank you for sh...
Whims … I’ve had a few ( Frank Sinatra) 😉…
Well it’s time to confess a few … The Tudor “Blue” … Tudor got me again … Synchron military … I still love them ! The list is long, back soon with more 😱 Best regards Captain ...
Ha ha ha!! I love your special version of "My Way" dear Captain. Well ... regrets I´ve had a few and I have lots of whims purchases too! Lol!
Two Tudors and the Syncron Military are two whims purchases that I wouldn´t resist myself. Well done my dear friend. Nice to know you still love and enjoy them so much. You created some suspense confessing that your list is long! Look forward to your retu...
Regrets … I’ve had a few !
But then again too few watches to mention I did what I had to do … I bought them without exemption !
Ha ha ha!! I feel Frankie would’ve loved…
… your horological version of his song! 👏👏👏 (And you know: the only regrets a collector has are those pieces he didn’t buy! 😂😂)
I generally have bad experiences with buying on a whim….
As more often than not I have ended up regretting my decision. Of course there are exceptions. Especially this one I’m so happy to call mine. ...
Hello Christian! Regret to read that you had bad experiences in general with your whim purchases. I can easily understand why you are happy with this one...
... A vintage Benrus Type I is not an easy piece to find and specially in such a fine condition like yours. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful piece and I wish you´ll keep enjoying it so much. Hagwe! Abel
Thank you so much for your kind words Abel
Yes, Im very happy with the charms of the Benrus. I think I enjoy the proces of thinking and researching what I wnat to buy and try out several times. This has also become a problem in recent years where one needs to decide instantly and even sometimes bu...
It would take me all of three seconds to whip out my wallet . . .
. . . for that Benrus, and only because there are blisters now on my right hand from playing pool.
Perhaps not, Christian. I've recently withdrawn from collecting vintage . . .
. . . because the challenges that used to be enjoyable overcoming have now become headaches as parts become more difficult to come by. I'm not shutting the door completely, but any vintage addition would have to be both complete and a bargain. Those two c...
I totally understand. Those have been my concerns as well.
I’m sorry to hear that though. I thought Omega was still possible to get high quality at reasonable prices. Sounds like that door has closed as well. The Tourbillon is exquisite. I can understand why it is your grail. I hope you will find a way to make it...
Omega parts are still available . . .
. . . but the efforts one has to make to find them are getting to be unreasonably difficult. I've written about this a few times over the last several years; the cumulative effect of those 'adventures' have simply become tiring. Or, to put it another way,...
Legendary Benrus …
A wonderful watch to have picked up on a whim. Good to have you joining this weekend Christian. Best regards Captain
Happy Friday all! (Okay let’s try this again).
In chronological order (and ascending cash outlay as it turns out): I was driving around S. Florida and came upon a watch store. Saw this, looked cool, was only a couple of hundred bucks new… it followed me home. Thought process: “Cool, yellow… I live in ...
So I trust that my confession has been added to my original post..?
Thank you Abel and have a great weekend as well. Cheers!
Thank you so much RabidManatee for…
… your good wishes. If you have confessed in a post made in a different thread please repeat it here. 😉☺️☺️☺️
I have edited my original response to include my confession.
Cheers! www.watchprosite.com
Vacation confessions 🤔…
A Seiko diver is always lurking to catch our eye. This one hooked me ! ...
Agree with you dear Captain! A Seiko diver is always a great temptation and inviting to make an impulse purchase... anytime! Nice example you share here.
You did well in jumping on it!! Cheers! Abel
Thanks a lot RabidManatee for your confession. I can view it now. It deserved to be included here: two great unplanned purchases. You did well in following your whims. The yellow...
... dial Seiko diver adds a bit of Sun and warmth to your wrist and the GMT GS is a superb timepiece and with a very practical complication. I own a similar one with a different dial color which was my first GS and started my love for the brand. Still enj...
Hello Kurt! Agree with you: idle time in an airport is inviting to some whim purchases, be it chocolates, accesories for our cell phone, magazines... or watches!
This one you share here is a great purchase for sure. I´m sure you will never regret it. Thank you for sharing with us in a nice shot. Cheers! Abel
Always a pleasure Abel, Wristscan is fun!
Yes you are correct airports are inviting for whim purchases. My good lady always makes a beeline for the expensive perfume and luggage stores 🤷🏻♂️ 🍻
Cheers Drek🍻
Agree, no two photos the same. I was lucky with the sea state due to offshore wind. Looking forward to a lot more of this theme🌊 throughout summer. 😉
It would have
to be my Omega 2383-5 I was in Vaxjo in Sweden when I saw an opticians and watch shop (which I thought a slightly bizarre combination). My curiosity peaked I went in to have a browse and walked out with this, my first Omega 😀 ...
Hello Drek! Agree with you that an Opticians/Watchshop is a bizarre combination!! But it offered you a unique lucky find with this lovely vintage Omega which I guess is from...
... the mid 1940´s/50´s and looks in wonderful condition. A great way of entering the World of Omega. A very rewarding unplanned purchase for sure. Thank you for sharing! Hagwe, Abel
Thanks Abel
You were bang on with the age, it’s 1944/45. It is in good condition, but the dial has been restored and the crown replaced. Although the case and movement all match up as they should. I’ve definitely enjoyed wearing it 😀
Thank you so much for the clarification about the details of your charming vintage Omega Drek...
Even if it has some "imperfections" from the point of view of a purist collector I feel that main thing is that you feel enjoyment when owning and wearing it. This watch is so nice indeed. Thank you again for sharing it here! Hagwe, Abel
You are very right there
I also enjoyed researching the watch after I bought it, which was the opposite of normal. Like walking a different way home, it’s always good to go a different way once in a while 😀
Mainly Swatches
The upside is that when you don't really love it, there aren't any consequences. There are then those where you only went to look, but that's another story. Cheers JML ...
Swatch make some very tempting watches …
I can easily see how buying “a few” on a whim happens.
It was an unplanned purchase for me…
Bought on a whim … even if I had previously declared: “not for me!!” 😂😂😂 ...
Patrick got me a Mars edition....
while he was traveling in Japan! I unashamedly love it ........
Ahh that´s great Filip! The Mars is another one I like so much. Actually I bought one of them for my son´s collection. I confess would probably buy one for me too in a near future..
No shame here! Keep enjoying it so much! Cheers!
Hello JML! Swatches are whismical watches. They have fun designs and are…
… practical and affordable. They are the favorites of my wife who owns a good collection of them. Those you share here are lovely. I specially love the Mickey Mouse, the swimmers and the ghost/transparent models. Keep enjoying them so much! Hagwe. Abel
This seemed like a good idea at the time...
It is really nice in person, but, thick...not so well balanced, and Iike a few, I enjoyed it for a spell, but, moved on... ...
Thank you for sharing your bought in a whim watch Greg! A Seiko is always a great purchase but it is understandable that while wearing you could find any watch from this or any brand...
... that it is not as comfortable or practical for your personal tastes or needs as expected. I´m happy that you are sharing your experience here in our WS edition! Hagwe, Abel
I can understand you very well Greg. That´s why it is very important to try a watch in our own wrist before buying. But even if this is possible it happens sometimes...
... that we discover these things after buying them. Cheers, Abel
Another whim acquisition remembered - my Casio left by a mermaid/merman!
Cyprus holiday many years ago snorkelling in Coral Bay. A flash of reflected sunlight caught my eye about ten feet below among stones and sand. Was it a lost jewel or just silver foil trash? Deep breath and down I swam to see - this watch! Back up for mor...
What a great story Clive!! More than a purchase on a whim it is a lucky one in a million find! I welcome it to this thread. Fantastic! It´s working under such conditions speaks about the...
... strong built of this watch. I well understand you when you say it´s the watch chosen to wear in "special" areas. I usually give same use of this type of watches as regrettably we have many complicated zones in my city and suburbs. Thank you so much fo...
Dear Abel, this edition of WS is so real, we all would have at least one such experience...:)
I have a couple that I did not plan to acquire but somehow...thats why you are seeing them here 😂 #1 - Rolex Sub - At the HK airport, a staff asked if I could help with a survey after I cleared the immigration. I thought sure since I had time to spare. Th...
Thank you for your comments dear friend S F! After so many years collecting watches and other objects I´m convinced that many times the objects find us and that in other occasions...
... the stars align in our favour. The story behind your ceramic Sub seems to confirm both beliefs of mine don´t you think so? I own same model and I´m very happy with it. The no date Submariners are my favorites among all references made. Your L & H is a...
I am with you dear Abel! Sometimes, it just happens, no planning needed!
Enjoy your Sunday!🥂🥂
Yes Cpt! Think the survey came with some lucky draw but did not hear from HK airport 😂
The Sub was the best top prize in every sense! 🥂
When I saw it....
the first time, in a matter of nano seconds, I had my credit card at the ready. Easy does it, right? Not so fast, since it would take me some 3 or 4 years (I don't remember correctly) to actually strap it to my wrist The Panerai "composite" material used ...
Wow dear Sergio! This was an impulse buy... but with "some" delay! Fortunately your whim watch finally arrived and your excitement for it kept intact.
I´m happy for you to know that your patience and passion for this model was rewarded. A beautiful interesting version of the classic Fiddy it is for sure. Keep enjoying and loving so much dear friend Sergio! And thanks a lot for sharing here! Hagwe. A big...
You're not going to believe this, but . . .
. . . I swear it's true: I had no idea what this week's theme would be until just now. 🤚🏻 Yesterday, I stopped in at the Grand Seiko boutique to check out the latest manual wind models after discussing them with Cazalea earlier this week, without any inte...
Hello dear Art! How I wouldn´t believe you? Ha ha ha! What a wonderful timepiece bought on impulse! Perfect and in time for our theme this weekend!
I presume this is a manual wind model and it is interesting to see how clean is the dial with no other inscriptions than the brand name and logo. Beautiful addition to your collection my dear friend. Enjoy it so much and in the best of good health! Hagwe,...
Hello 111forza! Thank you for sharing your two bought on a whim watches. I´m glad to know you keep enjoying them so much and there are no regrets here.
I specially love the Unimatic. I like the minimalistic looks of dial and plain thick bezel. The MoonSwatch? Well I also got one on a whim in spite of saying "this is not for me" previously. Lol! Beautiful setting to shoot your MoonSwatch. May I ask you wh...
Thanks Abel
Took the picture today whilst out cycling on the local British waterways canal network ...
Three,all bought on vacation,unexpected
....picked this up while browsing at store on way on way to airport...never saw one before,but struck by its simplicity and elegance....still enjoying it A pleasant dinner and an enjoyable stroll next morning down the road to Harrods and this beauty was s...
Hello Henry! Three great catches on a whim while in vacations! Absolutely agree with you that vacations are a great opportunity to catch new pieces for our collections.
We are relaxed, our mind free of our daily concerns and open to discover new places or enjoy well known ones ... and of course with free time to enjoy a visit to a watch store or an antique shop which includes vintage watches among the objects offered. Yo...
Nice theme!
One I can remember was my first Patek many years ago. I was aiming to purchase the 5196J at the time, but all they had was the G and so I walked out with the 3919R. The most recent whim purchase however was this Mathey-Tissot MassenaLab tribute. About 10m...
Hello KCLQMULKU. Thank you so much for your entry. Interesting story about your first Patek. It is true that during the hunt for a coveted piece we can find a different piece which...
... makes us fall in love and get it on the spot. An impulse buy which we will enjoy so much. The new re-issued M-T looks very nice to me. Guess you will be enjoying it so much. Of course an impulse buy has its risks but only time will say it was a great ...
Thank you so much Abel!
Of course now, given my tastes for white metals, I would have made different choices. 😆 But then everything happens for a reason and any changes back then could have significant changes to my collection now... I am happy of course with the M-T I spontaneo...
My pleasure my friend! Agree with your thoughts!
This watch has a beautiful vintage vibe and a great dial. I’m glad to read that you are enjoying it. Cordial regards Abel
Hi Abel.
This is the only one that meets the criteria for me. Doesn’t get many outings these days. Took an absolute age to get back from service a year ago - but worth the wait! Enter text ...
Hello Timeout! Superb timepiece you share here as your whim bought watch. The name of Gerald Genta as author of its design adds to the pleasure of owning.
It´s easy to understand your missing it so much while waiting its return from service. I wish you will be enjoying it so much now that it is back on your wrist. Thank you for your entry! Have a great Sunday! Abel
It’s a head scratcher !
Dear Abel , at first I didn’t really think I had anything to post as most of my “serious “ Swiss watch purchases have most definitely not been on a whim and only after some thought / research ! But then I realised that didn’t hold for some of my microbran...
Hello dear Wachnut. You confirm what I said in my opening post: we usually devote much thinking and study to the purchase of a new watch for our collections (specially if it...
... demands a high figure disbursement to get it). But I was sure that almost of us here in our Site had bought at least one (and most probably several) watches on a whim or let´s say on an impulse. You show five very tempting timepieces in your collectio...
Never too late my dear friend KM!!
Looks like you have been tempted many times to make a purchase on a whim! 😉 You did well. These are great watches to enjoy on the wrist, I’m specially fond of the last GS with red inscriptions on dial , your vintage Minerva and the Chopard. Thank you so m...
Superb, bought on a whim ….
… listen to your heart or head more often lol, cracking set of impulse buys. In fact a great collection period. There’s something about the Seiko Tuna that appeals to me, quite fond of the Street Series Seiko Tuna. One caught my eye a couple of weeks back...
Nice posts
very rare watches posts. So impulsive purchases makes a variety of all kind of watches. I can hardly say i did. A bought on a whim when i was no watch collector at all. As the price was not that high, also in the time i did the whim purchase, i wil rememb...
Hello Weems! Thank you so much for your entry.
Interesting to read that you still own one of these watches bought in a whim before you collecting journey begun. Guess some things remain important no matter our experience with watches. One of them is that the fun of the game is that we get joy when we ...