semperfi55 4,707 Posted February 29, 2020 Two years since I joined this forum. Time really flies! What better date than a leap day to commiserate celebrate my two-year descent into madness? What has changed in Year 2? In my first year here, the uptake curve was pretty sharp with monthly updates on my collection. I seem to be more of an accumulator than a collector; the idea of selling reps on M2M initially felt rather daunting. Sage, old @Waspy dropped in with some words of wisdom about selling and caution on watch fatigue, given my initial intense streak. Second year was spent thinking about honing the collection, watch projects and focusing on gens. There was truth to the overused adage "less is more". Plus, there were some functions that the reps just aren't able to deliver. Oh wait, there's a flash sale at Jason007 and I have a couple of USD3 gate coupons?! All these lofty ideals fly out the window as I frantically ask gate sellers for more real photos Even so, my own conclusions on my collecting direction are: 1) No, you cannot wear 44mm diameter watches with those lady wrists. 2) Vintage 3) An odd obsession with collecting certain models in sets. One is not enough, there must be one of every variant. Or at least that's what I'd love to do. There just isn't any space. 4) Sell those damn 44mm watches. 5) Vintage Rolex is appealing to me now. But why? Is it for the timeless design? Or due to watch world hype? Or because there are just so much more quality choice when it comes to Rolex reps? 6) Please stop eyeing those 44mm IWCs for fuck's sake. I'm still trying to figure out how to best show the watches in a group shot. In the meantime, here are the watches presented individually. Frequent posters to the wristcheck threads may die of boredom; you've probably seen them double-fisted already. Gen Collection Rolex Datejust 16220 Pride of the Fleet and so on and so forth. A sentimental graduation gift with an unassailable status within the harem. Dubey & Schaldenbrand index Mobile Rattrapante Poor man's rattrapante with a cleverly-modified Landeron movement to allow for split-second complication Waltham Maxim Calatrava Homage Cannot afford a gen Patek but find the hobnail bezel reps a bit lacking? Great Swiss-made gen for less than a ZF Calatrava. I got to this gen after seeing @RussP's Calatrava homages. Cuervo y Sobrinos Triple Calendar Interesting format for displaying day and date, with a tumultuous brand history. TagHeuer Monza CR2113-0 Oris Divers Sixty-Five Oris Artelier Jumping Hour Swatch Animal Wheel GZ120 The Holiday Watch Jean d'Eve Sectora Some wholesome bi-retrograde goodness for the bi-curious. Raymond Weil Tank Homage I tried using Polywatch on the acrylic and now the corners are FUBAR. Junghans Max Bill Automatic Junghans Quartz Chronograph Somehow 11 year old me did not destroy/lose this watch. Zeppelin 7676-2 100 Jahre Chronograph Hugo Boss Dual Time Skagen Ancher SKW6082 A nice slim fashion watch form the pre-RWG era. Sleek design but the integrated leather strap will be a bitch to replace in the future. Ingersoll Union IN1203RWH Chinese made 3970 homage for a brand which used to have a substantial American heritage. A watch I had before discovering RWG or even aware of Philip Patek or whatever silly name. Three GUB Glashütte @greg_rintroduced me to vintage Glashüttes. I never had the same bargains he got off eBay though, even with his help. Post-WW2, the East German government consolidated all the Glashütte-based watch brands into GUB Glashutte. All these watches above are from the 1960s-1970s era. With the fall of the Berlin Wall, many Glashütte-based brands were established/re-established from GUB Glashutte, including Lange and.... Glashütte Union of Soviet Socialist Watches These are cheap fun watches to have, if you know what you are looking for. There are some that are clearly re-dials but I don't mind too much for under 50 quid. To commemorate the launch of Sputnik 1. Novel subsidiary seconds there. This sleek Poljot is my most recent acquisition. The Bauhaus is strong in this one. Love it! Seiko Presage Fuyugeshiki SSA385J1 I had a lot of fun watching how the RWG "Christmas Snow" effect play with the snowy dial. Simple pleasures. Seiko Age of Discovery 6M13-0010 My only functioning perpetual calendar in the collection, but quartz so @Glaude is throwing up in some corner of France. Henry London Watches Quartz fashion watches with some attempt for vintage styles. Only worth buying when they are heavily discounted Love this last Henry. It is very reminiscent of a Vacheron Historiques 1968 Ultra Thin. Dan Henry 1939 Military Chronograph All these fucking Henrys in the watch world..... While the colour combination may resemble vomit, I like it for the jarring contrast that is also seen in some vintage Omega chronogaphs from that time period. Mechanical Timex(es?) Lovely little watch that @cvp3 threw in for a M2M sale. I hear he is still trying to cull the collection My dad immediately fobbed this safe queen off to me when I gave him a Speedmaster for his 60th. Talk about a bad deal. People's Republic of Watches Yes gen Chinese watches Most not worth buying at the inflated Western retailer price. All of them bought within China at discounts. Casio Edifice Chronograph Childhood watch still going strong. Trusty Swimming Casio Xiaomi Amazfit Couldn't be bothered to switch it to 10:10 as this was the last watch photographed Rep Collection Tutima Chronograph Cartier Budget Blitzkrieg Cartier Tank Basculante Sweet Reverso action here! Cartier Ballon Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15202 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15400 Gate cheapie with horrifying blue dial, one of my earlier modding successes. Swapped the white DWO to a matching blue DWO with design help from @Glaude Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26320 PVD Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar 26579 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon 26510 Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Classic Automatic The rep that started it all. That Jaegate LeCoultre Jaegate LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Franck Muller Crazy Hours Rolex Submariners ZZF V1 116610LN 116610 Bamford Stormtrooper, with a pending DWO repair. 116613LB Serti Dial, technically fantasy as these sort of dials were only available in 5-digit model. 116613LN Serti Dial, fantasy as above 116618LB 116618LN, I prefer this gilt lettering to the white font on the gen. This is much more congruous. 16613L Serti Dial 16610LV Kermit A Daytona For Every Racer What a car crash of a collection 6234, Technically not a Daytona 6239 Paul Newman 6263 Gold 6265 Paul Newman Artisans de Geneve "La Montoya" 116595RBOW, the other Pride of the Fleet A GMT for Every Some Time Zones 6542 Serpico y Laino Double Stamped Dial 6542 Pan-Am Albino Dial 1675 Pepsi 1675 Rootbeer 126715CHNR Rolex Explorer II 1655 Rolex Sky-Dweller 326934 The "August" Watch Day-Dates for (Almost) Every Day of the Week DIY 18238 18238 Blue Vignette Dial, needs to be re-cased into a vintage case. 18238 Brown Vignette Dial, needs to be re-cased into a vintage case. 118206 128239-0023 Datejusts to Round Off the Rolex Collection 16013 Tapestry 16233 Linen Datejust 36 Pink, fantasy model as this dial is not available in 36mm size Rolex Yacht-Master 116655 Rolex Label Noir Milgauss Tourbillon Rolex Air-King 14000 Rolex Turn-O-Graph 116264 A terrible cheapie with laughable rehaut and dial font. But Turn-O-Graph reps are rarer than gen. Patek Philippe Chronographs Ref. 530 beauty. 5070G 5170A, needs to be plated into a 5170J to match the gen. 5370P, A7750 movement, fake 2nd Chrono hand. 5975G, just a simple Miyota movement, no chrono. 3970R 5970R 5204R-001, no chrono 5204R/1R-001, no chrono 5204J, no chrono. Fantasy model as Patek has not released a yellow gold 5204 yet. Lost the central second hand while modding the Day and Month overlays Patek Philippe Gondolo 5112J Appears to be fantasy. If someone finds the gen version, please let me know, Patek Philippe Calatrava 5116 Patek Philippe World Time 5131J Modding project with inspiration and guidance from @_DC_ Nautili for the Seven Six Seas All gate. I really need to get a PPF. They look good. 5711 5711 but gold 5726 5980 5740 The 5712, elusive in rep and in gen. Fantasy color combination but beggars can't be choosers. Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921 Vacheron Constantin Historiques 1955 Corne de Vache My first lesson in M2M resolution; seller tried to pull a fast one but all was resolved with the help of @yllekp and @Dr Fun Socks Vacheron Constantin Harmony Complete Calendar Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Retrograde Day Date The Tuesdays Watch Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionelle 47009 Another infamous gate watch! A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Moonphase Working moonphase A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 "Tourbillon" Perpetual Calendar A. Lange & Söhne Datograph 403.032 A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Tourbillon Breguet Classique 5177BR/15/9V6 Breguet Tradition 7057BB/11/9W6 Breguet Regulator Tourbillon 5307PT/12/9V6 Blancpain Villeret Quantième Complet 6654 Working Moonphase Glashütte Senator Panorama Date Moon Phase Glashütte Original Senator Chronometer H. Moser & Cie Venturer Big Date Bovet Virtuoso IV "Tourbillon" IWC Portugieser 7 Days Many RWI members have found the need to tell me how off these gate subdials are Omega Constellation Co-Axial Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 2220.80.00 Omega Seamaster 300 233.32.41.21.01.001 Tudor Heritage Chrono 70330N Black Tudor Heritage Chrono 70330N Blue Bad influence from @NCRich This one sadly lost a fight to a certain PVD AP chrono, needless to say they are not in the same watchbox anymore. Tudor Heritage Black Bay Chrono 79350 Breitling Navitimer Montbrillant Datora A21330 TagHeuer Monaco PVD Love it for the similarities with the vintage Heuer Monaco Dark Lord. TagHeuer Carrera Calibre 17 Reissue Panerai Luminor Submersible 682 An actual Panerai I can wear! Parmigiani Fleurier Kalpa Grande QF Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda Tourbillon A lovely piece I found out from @Hyjynx's Round Table Series MB&F Legacy Machine Split Escapement Novel design brought to my attention thanks to @Luxuracer If you made it this far..... well done and thank you. Because I sure as shit wouldn't have the stamina. Onto another year of watches! 12 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KarmaToBurn 1,419 Posted March 1, 2020 Great collection!! A bit of everything and they're all cool. Thanks for sharing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NCRich 13,746 Posted March 1, 2020 I made it all the way through. Very interesting. I think Baldrick would have liked your collection. You have very interesting watches. All sorts of styling. Not a bunch of boring subs. Nice stuff! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RussP 22,133 Posted March 1, 2020 Very tasteful collection indeed! Your 6 conclusions are somewhat identical to mine. I'm very immersed into the genuine vintage collecting phase right now, and only digress for an exceptional vintage rep now n then. Also..................should you decide to divest yourself of any of the vintage GMT's pictured above, please allow me to take them off your hands, especially the PanAm. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GulfGT40 3,162 Posted March 1, 2020 (edited) I made it through no worries, I have to say it would have taken a lot longer to photograph them all, hats off to you and thanks for good read. You've sparked my interest in Soviet watches, as you say cheap as chips and a bit of fun, theres a Bostok on the way and I'm eying off a couple of Sputnik watches to continue my theme of space watches. Best of luck for the coming year. Edited March 1, 2020 by GulfGT40 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BabaNJ 38 Posted March 1, 2020 I think this was the most patience i showed with a thread lol. Lovely collection you got there. Something for almost every occasion/taste.... Well done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glaude 1,615 Posted March 1, 2020 There's no point in telling you again, how much of a mad man you are, so I just continue to sit back and watch your addiction creeping up to a new level.... every month. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chixisigma 461 Posted March 1, 2020 Jesus man! That's a lot of watches. Can't imagine how much time you've invested into sourcing this lot...congrats!! Cxs Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Intresting 21,674 Posted March 1, 2020 Breath and depth of collection. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Fun Socks 74 Posted March 1, 2020 Killer collection mate, ive seen a few of these in person and they are really nice. The split seconds chrono is a genius little thing. Love that perpetual gold and green seiko! Keep up the good work Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Waspy 306 Posted March 1, 2020 Incredible. Thanks for taking the time to make this post. I tried to pick a favourite, but it's too difficult, I guess I veer towards the Patek and Vacheron chronographs, also the gold Daytona. Do you ever get any of them serviced? I don't know if my brain could cope with caring for so many watches LOL Can we get a picture of your watch storage solution? In my imagination, you have some sort of dedicated cabinet for them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MAJ75 922 Posted March 1, 2020 @semperfi55 I enjoyed this update, your dedication to horology & the rep hobby is admirable. The depth & breadth of what you have put together is staggering. As has already been mentioned wonderful to see so many complications amongst what you have & a keen eye for the out of the ordinary.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GingerApple 7,273 Posted March 1, 2020 I was so tempted to quote your entire thread and just leave a 'lovely thread' comment at the bottom. But I won't! I will however give you a high five, because that is a mental collection, really interesting to see and so different to most people's collection. Awesome! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yllekp 1,684 Posted March 1, 2020 I adore the collection Your conclusions are also very similar to mine lol. However I get away with 44mms Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frankfrank 1,125 Posted March 1, 2020 Wowzers you’ve been busy.. Great collection Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Theviking 197 Posted March 1, 2020 I love this, @semperfi55 you're a credit to the community and you joined in my birthday. Happy anniversary pal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_DC_ 218 Posted March 2, 2020 You, Sir, have got a metric fuck-tonne of watches!!! Great and varied pieces but somehow all work to make a coherent (if a little large) collection! Let me know if you ever tire or the Datograph, I really want one of these again one day! Congrats DC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FunnyStarSystem 7,537 Posted March 2, 2020 Truly Spectacular. This should be pinned to show how it's done properly, but we don't want people living in a cardboard box in the alley! I'll be looking for your 44mm fire sale Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
semperfi55 4,707 Posted March 2, 2020 On 01/03/2020 at 00:03, KarmaToBurn said: Great collection!! A bit of everything and they're all cool. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for the kind words On 01/03/2020 at 00:26, NCRich said: I think Baldrick would have liked your collection. You have very interesting watches. All sorts of styling. Not a bunch of boring subs. Cheers Rich! Hah boring as in boring a hole through my wallet more like. Especially since I haven't even started on vintage subs yet On 01/03/2020 at 00:45, RussP said: Your 6 conclusions are somewhat identical to mine. I'm very immersed into the genuine vintage collecting phase right now, and only digress for an exceptional vintage rep now n then. Also..................should you decide to divest yourself of any of the vintage GMT's pictured above, please allow me to take them off your hands, especially the PanAm. And who do you think pushed me into that conclusion? Flaunting his vintage gold pieces on the wrist checks. Starts off the wrist check threads every week as well. Shameless. Will let you know first if I do bud On 01/03/2020 at 01:21, Chixisigma said: how much time you've invested Thanks for only mentioning time, saves me from thinking about the other aspect too much. I'm still late to most appointments though, despite a watch on each wrist. On 01/03/2020 at 08:01, Dr Fun Socks said: Killer collection mate, ive seen a few of these in person and they are really nice. The split seconds chrono is a genius little thing. Love that perpetual gold and green seiko! Keep up the good work Cheers mate! Glad to have tried out your Frosted Gold AP for size, among others as well I had fun watching that Seiko date turn from 29 straight to 1 by itself. On 01/03/2020 at 00:58, GulfGT40 said: I made it through no worries, I have to say it would have taken a lot longer to photograph them all, hats off to you and thanks for good read. You've sparked my interest in Soviet watches, as you say cheap as chips and a bit of fun, theres a Bostok on the way and I'm eying off a couple of Sputnik watches to continue my theme of space watches. Best of luck for the coming year. Thanks for taking the time! It took me about 3 days to photograph them all. The sides of the brand-new watch pillow featured is peeling off now! Replied your PM. You should also look into the Sturmanskie watch associated with Yuri Gagarin too! On 01/03/2020 at 01:01, BabaNJ said: I think this was the most patience i showed with a thread lol. Lovely collection you got there. Something for almost every occasion/taste.... Well done. High praise there mate "Almost every" is the right phrasing. I can still justify more! No watch for dogging yet On 01/03/2020 at 03:59, Intresting said: Breath and depth of collection. Cheer buddy On 01/03/2020 at 10:11, Waspy said: I guess I veer towards the Patek and Vacheron chronographs, also the gold Daytona. Do you ever get any of them serviced? I don't know if my brain could cope with caring for so many watches LOL Can we get a picture of your watch storage solution? In my imagination, you have some sort of dedicated cabinet for them. Good taste there! I have to ration wrist time for those Patek, Vacheron and gold Daytona. Nope, I really should but I'm trying to learn how to service some of the more common movements myself. Lol, no cabinet as I am always on the move 2 Aluminium cases for the Communist watches and for the vintage Rolex. Bulk of the collection in those black boxes, half organised by brand/complication. Various smaller cases for the leather strap watches that I prefer to be kept flat (as opposed to on a watch roll). Penultimate box (at the top) for the treasured gens(based on sentimental value). On 01/03/2020 at 11:01, MAJ75 said: @semperfi55 I enjoyed this update, your dedication to horology & the rep hobby is admirable. The depth & breadth of what you have put together is staggering. As has already been mentioned wonderful to see so many complications amongst what you have & a keen eye for the out of the ordinary.... Thanks mate, I did make a conscious effort initially to get pieces from each brand but now the majority of my purchases seems to be Rolex, might be from the schadenfreude I get from reading TRF members arguing about the right to buy GMTs at MSRP On 01/03/2020 at 11:10, TheGingerFerret said: I was so tempted to quote your entire thread and just leave a 'lovely thread' comment at the bottom. But I won't! That might actually break the page man. Your restraint is much appreciated nonetheless On 01/03/2020 at 01:13, Glaude said: There's no point in telling you again, how much of a mad man you are, so I just continue to sit back and watch your addiction creeping up to a new level.... every month. It's the mad leading the mad here On 01/03/2020 at 12:36, yllekp said: However I get away with 44mms Thank fuck for that otherwise the collection would have been much bigger every time I see your wrist checks from extraordinarily sunny Ireland... On 01/03/2020 at 15:37, frankfrank said: you’ve been busy.. The TDs even busier On 01/03/2020 at 20:07, Theviking said: I love this, @semperfi55 you're a credit to the community and you joined in my birthday. Happy anniversary pal. Cheers mate! Hope you had a good birthday 5 hours ago, _DC_ said: make a coherent (if a little large) collection! Let me know if you ever tire or the Datograph, I really want one of these again one day! The coherence is only plausible when just looking at sections of the collection, definitely none when looking at the overall scatterbrain collection. A bad case of wandering eye. Will do buddy 4 hours ago, funnystarsystem said: This should be pinned to show how it's done properly, but we don't want people living in a cardboard box in the alley! I'll be looking for your 44mm fire sale Hey I live in one of the watchboxes at the moment, still a step up from cardboard box!! When you see that sale, you'll know I have reached the cardboard 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SCShrek 494 Posted March 2, 2020 DUDE! What's your PayPal address??? Awesome...awesome...awesome but you're right...you're lacking on some vintage subs...and vintage SD's and vintage..... You can see I'm a REAL fan of #2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
semperfi55 4,707 Posted March 6, 2020 On 02/03/2020 at 22:38, SCShrek said: Awesome...awesome...awesome but you're right...you're lacking on some vintage subs...and vintage SD's and vintage..... Hopefully this year I'll be able to work on that and not get sidetracked Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mrluwin 282 Posted March 6, 2020 Cracking collection mate some really interesting pieces in there, thanks for sharing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rookie_71 35 Posted March 7, 2020 Hi mate, I’ve a question, did you modded the Nautilus perpetual calendar? I’ve never seen one with a moon phase indicator like this one.Thanks in advance for your answerInviato dal mio iPhone utilizzando Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr_B 2,401 Posted March 7, 2020 That Lange Tourby is delightful, do you wear it often? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GC 4,461 Posted March 7, 2020 Less is more? You have many. Less = more Many = much more! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
