A Journey Through Time...

[bsodmike]

Hi,

It seems that quite a few members here have started to understand my intentions and I apologise if I came off as arrogant or insensitive in the past. This is more than a hobby to me and one could even call it an obsession. In the watch community we call ourselves WISes or Watch Idiot Savant's for short =) It has never been about 'tooting my own horn'; I'm extremely passionate when it comes to watches - although I really do not like to speak about watches in public or draw attention to my watch(es), unless you are a WIS yourself!

An appreciation for watches is a developed taste: you either appreciate them or you do not. We also have the crowd (especially the youngsters of today) who rely solely on their mobile phones to "tell time" and feel that mechanical watches are simply outdated - why bother when your mobile can do the same thing...better? Many of us WIS feel that quartz watches 'lack a soul', and this is why you will find a lot more enthusiasts obsessing over mechanical movements than their quartz-based brethren.

The comments of many in one of my recent threads titled "Home Sweet Home" and some inspiration from beanbandit set me to work on the following write up.

Introduction (or re-introduction to some)...

I'm a 25-year old postgraduate student just having completed my Masters in London, and one of my many hobbies is enjoying Rolex ownership currently of two fine pieces and studying horologie extensively. I also have a healthy (teetering on unhealthy LOL) fountain-pen collection, and enjoy photography quite a bit!

From my days as a kid to my teens, I have always admired watches. Upon graduating and returning home, I found myself embarking on an exciting new journey and I would like to share this with the members of the this community - I hope it will inspire some, and maybe you will find this to be a rewarding hobby and experience as well

The Early Years...

During my youngest years I had a TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle) obsession - my dad got me the entire set, including shredder, bebop, rock steady, and one poor foot soldier - that always got beat up!

This culminated with a TMNT digital wristwatch that I treasured. I also went though many Swatches, usually buying one every time we flew to Switzerland over the years.

Then for the longest time I had a yellow G-shock with an EL (Electro-luminescence) backlight and rather loud alarm. The strap gave way so my Mom got me a black one, which was later replaced by a casio calculator watch...all that was missing was a pocket protector 8)

It was for my 18th birthday that I received the following Tissot PRS200 from my Mom and Dad. It is a quartz (battery operated) chronograph rated to 200m.



...and for my 20th, this Tissot LeLocle, which I have to this very day. This LeLocle was my very *first* mechanical wristwatch.



Fast-forward to December 2006

I had graduated from University and on returning home I found myself with some spare time on my hands. Over a matter of three months, I had the following in my collection, including two Omega Seamasters:





...and a mini collection of five Omega Speedmasters. You might want to consider visiting my page covering the history and features of the Omega Speedmaster,

~ Omega Speedmaster Professional, a.k.a “Moonwatch” ~

The 3573.50 which is also known as the "Sapphire Sandwich" as both the crystal and see through case back are in sapphire crystal. It features the cal. 1863 manual wind movement.





The 1992 3592.50.00, cal. 863



The 1989 ST 1450022 that I had serviced by Omega in Biel, Switzerland. This is now owned by an Italian gentleman who purchased it for safe keeping in his bank vault, and to be gifted to his new born baby boy on his 20th birthday!



The Gen 2 X-33 "Mission to Mars" watch by Omega. I have compiled an extensive article on the X-33 on my blog,

~ Review: Omega Speedmaster Professional X-33 ~



...and by far my favourite, the 1963 145.012 cal.321...





...and they had a nice place in my cabinet at the time...

[bsodmike]

*skip*

[bsodmike]

Then in May 2007...

I got my first Rolex as a gift from moi to moi for being accepted into Uni for my Masters. This is the Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600, rated to a depth of 4000 ft or 1220 m featuring an automatic Helium release valve on the side of the casing of the watch. It is a statement of over engineering with an equally illustrious past linked with COMEX and the depths of the ocean.

Rolex has fitted the Sea-Dweller with the famous Rolex 3135 self-winding movement - the 31 jewel Rolex caliber (designed and manufactured entirely "in house" by Rolex) has been in service since 1989. The 3135 is a high-beat movement, and oscillates at 28,800 beats per hour (BPH). This in house designed and manufactured 3135 is legendary for its accuracy (COSC certified) and robustness.





I spent the summer of 2007 in Geneva visiting the Omega museum and Patek museum. During this time I was reading more and more about the Rolex GMT-Master II, conceived during the dawn of travelling by Pan American Airlines to help pilots combat ‘jet lag’; another masterpiece by Rolex. The 'classic' 16710 GMTII is powered by a 3185 Rolex movement which allows for the hour-hand to be moved independently of the other hands.

For more information on the operation of a GMT watch, please see my video on YouTube.



Still in Geneva, a month later I fell in love with the Rolex DateJust 116201. It is a two-tone watch, made in Everose gold. "Everose" is Rolexes name for their special alloy of rose gold comprising of 76% gold, 22% copper and 2% platinum - to lock in the colour, unaffected by chlorine. It is also powered by the 3135 movement.



...together,



...with my fathers Omega DeVille:



The Dawn of Year 2008

On the 2nd of January this year I had the dial changed on my DJ at the London RSC:



I then parted with both the older GMTII (at the time it was on a Daytona SS bracelet) and the Sea-Dweller for this, purchased last week of January. This is the Rolex GMT-Master II 116713, another two-tone watch in 904L SS and 18k YG. Featuring the "Best of Rolex" and their 3186 movement and Parachom Bleu hairspring.






The Parachrom Bleu hairspring by Rolex.

In April, I flew from London to Geneva to attend Baselworld 2008. This is a grand show of watches and jewellery that is held in Basel each year, usually along side SIHH (Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie). Manufacturers display all the latest models that will be made available for purchase in that particular year.

The buzz was unbelievable with millions of people inside. I had the chance to visit Patek, Rolex, Omega, Vacheron Constantin, Glashutte, Breguet, Audemars Piguet, Ulysse Nardin and many more.







To see a lot more photos and read my reports on Baselworld 2008 please visit the links below:

• ~ Baselworld 2008: Getting there… ~
• ~ Baselworld 2008: TimeZone Rolex GTG ~
• ~ Day in Geneva, and ...Baselworld 2008 - (Modem Killer) ~

My Mom has a couple Omega MyChoice watches that she likes. I got her this one for Christmas '06,



and this for Christmas '07,



This is one of my great, great grand-fathers pocket watches (+/- a 'great' LOL), that I have had restored by a watchmaker in Singapore,





I hope you found this 'photo journal' of my adventure through time of some interest. You might also find two reviews of mine on YouTube of some interest as well:

• Rolex GMT-Master II 116713LN Review
• Rolex DateJust 116201 Review

All the best,
Michael.

[SiM]

here is mine:


I am thinking about upgrading to this:

[staffsMike]

I in all seriousness have a spiderman digital watch with a velcro strap.. that is my going out watch. I'll grab a picture later if you're interested

I have a casio wavemaster and something else I can't remember lol

Those watches do look very nice indeed though. I don't think it's enough to turn me into a WIS.. but one day maybe. I can certainly appriciate anything mechanical and those watches look amazing

[ACiD303]

I still use my G-Shock from 1996 - got 2 replacement straps, and an extra body just in case something happens to this one I can just replace it.

Costs me too much to get the battery replaced though because it has to be sent to casio to get resealed each time (and yes, I do go under water with it). So everytime that happens, I buy the little black cheapy 80s casio

[steve threlfall]

Watch porn, especially the Omega's and Rolex's

Im not a fan of any gold personally, but they are very impressive

[Funkstar]

Those Omegas at the start are nice. Like Steve, I'm not a fan of gold (although the "rose gold" is quite nice). Although there is no way I could class myself as a WIS, I can totally see how you can get wrapped up in them like you do Mike.

Good thread

[Cozwin]

oh lord its getting worse

[floppybootstomp]

I don't own a watch.

I don't have any jewellery either.

My mobile phone has the time on it which is good enough for me.

To me, this is all a bit sad.

But hey, whatever gets you off

[bsodmike]

oh lord its getting worse

ROFL...maybe I'm just good at "Losing Friends & Alienating People" ? No worries, last watch post from me for a long while

Funkstar: thanks mate

[Trash Man]

I do like watches, not to the extent bsodmike does but I do appreciate a nice piece.

Bought myself a TAG Heuer Carrera automatic chronograph this year for my 30th Own 3 TAG's now and it would be nice to collect more but they just cost to much, let alone collecting Rolex.

[kalniel]

Cheers Mike,

While it can be galling sometimes to see that which we cannot hope to touch (and I admit even I felt a little sore in the stomach when the latest watch thread came up after I'd just read that it was possible I was going to lose most of my hard earned house deposit with the fall of Icesave), the next best thing to enjoying a hobby yourself is to share the enjoyment of someone else.

I love watches and the sheer art and craft of the timepieces you own is lovely. But I will occasionally give you a dig because I can only afford a casio (which happens to be more accurate than any of your watches )

[Parm]

I find it quite fascinating! I like having a nice watch if I'm dressed smart (suit or something), but I'd consider anything over £100 on a watch to be overkill.

Also find it interesting that so few people wear watches these days, with many just keeping their mobile phone with them - or maybe that's just the people I know.

Some of the above watches do look stunning, though. Mike, do you mind if I ask what you'd estimate the total value of the watches to be? Just out of curiousity.

Would also go along with what Steve and Funk said, I'm not keen on gold. My current watch is a silver ellesse with a creamy-brown face - liked it cause it kinda matches the colour of my skin.

[Funkstar]

On the whole mobile-as-time-piece subject.

I was out at a pub in london with a friend and a bunch of his mates. I happened to glance at my watch then pulled out my phone to check for (non-existant) messages. One of the guys just couldn't understand why I had a watch on when I had a phone in my pocket. He couldn't grasp the idea that I just like having a watch on my wrist.

When I'm offshore and working I rarely use a watch, it gets in the way, it's uncomfortable with coveralls and gloves on, and I don't want to get it covered in epoxy resin. But when I'm out, especially on a night out, it feels really weird not having one on.

[Tarinder]

Each to their own, I guess, but expensive watches don't do it for me.

But seeing as how the economy is going tits-up right now, investing in a Rolex of two isn't a bad idea.