semperfi55 4,707 Posted January 3 It's been a while! Work and personal life have been crazy for the past 18 months, where work and watch hobby burnouts coincided Not a good combination. On returning here last month, it's heartwarming to see many familiar usernames still and Ginger shenanigans. A bit quieter than before though, and no more posts asking about the legendary R-Factory churning out AAA+ Rolex reps. In the long term, taking a break from watch-related social media certainly helped me maintain my interest in the hobby. Although I have not been posting, I am still acquiring and building watches, just at a much slower pace. I don't have much say, but here are the watches I took with me for the week-long Christmas break. Whenever I make a travel selection, nearly always half of them would be some form of Rolex. The collection has become quite Daytona-heavy... A. Lange & Sohne Saxonia Thin 205.086 SVF Mesmerising "Aventurine" dial, but hands legibility can be a problem at certain angles. I look at the watch more to admire the dial than check the time anyway. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 16202 ZF Rose gold case with the blue/grey dial. It is a stunning watch but difficult to photograph the beauty of the fiume dial. The rep movement mimics the lack of quickset date in the older gen 15202, but the newer gen 16202 has the updated movement with quickset date . I bought the rep despite this. Breguet 7057 I don't seem to buy watches to read the time. Dubey & Schaldenbrand Rattrapante Chronograph I've showcased this to death before- vintage rattrapante chrono, what's not to like? MB&F Legacy Machine Split Escapement High dome, nightmare to photograph. Nomos Tangente Neomatik 39 Midnight Blue I missed the boat on the Ahoi Atlantik a few years back, and always regretted it. Then this popped up on Aliexpress, looks close enough to the one that got away. Diameter is spot on but case is thicker than gen. Looks decent for USD90 though! Oris Jumping Hour Stunning guilloche! Patek Philippe World Timer 5131J Inspired by @_DC_'s effort Repainted map, redone hour ring and city ring Wish I bought them in steel and rose gold when they were available- I love collecting sets. Richard Mille RM055 Yas Marina Circuit Edition ZF The descent into madness and depravity accelerated after I bought the RM055 in Dec 2022, turns out I like small vintage watches and RMs. Richard Mille RM035-2 ZF V5 It's the most recent one with thinner case. It is slightly bigger than the RM055, but still at the limits of wearable for 6.5 inch wrist. Seiko Presage Fuyugeshiki SSA385J1 Grand Seiko on the cheap. Swatch Uranus Moonswatch Finally managed to find them in stock for my birthday last year. Swatch Pluto Moonswatch "I only like a few colours, I'm not collecting the whole set. Promise!" Rolex Pile Datejust 16220 Day-Date 18238 All raffles +Gen dial. My first ever Raffles project. Such an unnecessarily painful experience. 6239 "Yacht-Master" Prototype JKF+Phong dial 6239 Prototype Dial -Purple Based off a blue prototype dial seen on RPR website. I bought the dial from Phong, only to find it rather purple. It still looked pretty. I thought this was the end of the journey for the "blue" prototype dial. The purple lizard strap from a different M2M sale was perfect for the dial colour. 6239 Blue Prototype Dial Then I realise Phong actually do sell a bluer dial. This looks closer to the "gen" on RPR. These 2 are insanely difficult to photograph with my iPhone. It looks great in person but never looks good in wristshots. 6240 Neanderthal When I think reference 6240, I think this particular watch. I have thought about this one since 2019 when I bought my first JKF Paul Newman. Apart from the actual 6239 Paul Newman, I thought this was the perfect Paul Newman dial configuration. Imagine my amusement when Perezscope later debunked the authenticity of the legendary "Neanderthal"... Ah well, it is still aesthetically pleasing. Viet dial+Phong's Mk0 pushers. Such a nightmare to install. Never again. 6263 Oyster Sotto/RCO Dial At this point, the term "grail" is pointless. All these dials were "grail" to me at some point. It is satisfying to see "Oyster" on the bottom row, instead of middle. Please send help. 6263 Arabian Knight The auctioneers sure have colourful names for these dial variations. 6263 Pan-Am Dial First seen on RPR website, the author there "found" it on a 6263 standard black bezel but then switched it to a blue bezel, which I do agree complements the dial well. No idea if Rolex actually made this, it looks good anyway. In my head, Pan-Am = GMT = Jubilee bracelet. 6263 Champagne Dial 6270 Very fortunate to acquire this masterpiece. Daytona 116595RBOW I think my standards slipped once I got this watch. All sorts of bling started coming in after. Gateway bling. Daytona 116588TBR "I like it for the craftsmanship. Honest! I'm not like those other shallow, vapid types." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ During the break in London, I also managed to buy the "Moon" Moonswatch, which will be a gift to my Dad when I see him later this month. He has the gen, but prefers the plastic rep, go figure Swatch Moonswatch Thanks for reading. Anyway, so hello again! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GingerApple 7,304 Posted January 3 Who are you? Nice watches mind you! How did you get that real diamond bling machine the 6270. That's one of two isn't it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NCRich 13,791 Posted January 3 Wondered who let you escape from the asylum. Nice stuff as always and great to see you again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
semperfi55 4,707 Posted January 3 28 minutes ago, GingerJesus said: Who are you? I'm not sure anymore 29 minutes ago, GingerJesus said: That's one of two isn't it? Right place right time. One of the owners approached me to buy one of my Patek reps, at one point I mentioned how I still think about the 6270 at night, then he mentioned the other owner is looking for a buyer. Could not believe my luck. 25 minutes ago, NCRich said: Wondered who let you escape from the asylum. I'm still there, Rich. They let me out for Christmas due to staff shortage. I went back because the rest of my watches are still there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rm65453 109 Posted January 3 Amazing collection brother! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fatarms 7,779 Posted January 3 The Dubey and blue prototype are sweet. Good to see you again. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jasonbaylee 192 Posted January 3 Pristine collection! Thank you for sharing 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mystery Shopper 5,887 Posted January 3 Nice to see you again. Is the Daytona 116595RBOW like the one Mrs SFA used to have? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GenTLe 1,509 Posted January 3 Ehi! Welcome back! PS: which are gen and which reps of those? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Redfire1066 11,109 Posted January 3 Nice pieces …. I am liking the 6263 PanAm dial … 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horace Derwent 807 Posted January 3 @semperfi55: This board missed you, man ! Some pieces are sensational, the Dubey & Schalderan (where did you manage to find it ?), the 5131J, and of course the mighty 6270 ! Respect ! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
semperfi55 4,707 Posted January 3 (edited) 10 hours ago, Mystery Shopper said: Nice to see you again. Is the Daytona 116595RBOW like the one Mrs SFA used to have? Thanks! Who's that? 9 hours ago, GenTLe said: which are gen and which reps of those? Thanks! Gens: Moonswatches, Dubey & Schaldenbrand, Oris, Seiko, Datejust 9 hours ago, Redfire1066 said: Nice pieces …. I am liking the 6263 PanAm dial … Rubyswatch sells them 7 hours ago, onzenuub said: Fucking noob. Can only do several months rotations in this place max 1 hour ago, Horace Derwent said: @semperfi55: This board missed you, man ! Some pieces are sensational, the Dubey & Schalderan (where did you manage to find it ?), the 5131J, and of course the mighty 6270 ! Respect ! Cheers mate Learnt about the Dubey from the youtuber The Urban Gentry, he does shine a spotlight on some interesting pieces from time to time. Bought mine on Chrono24 a few years ago. Edited January 3 by semperfi55 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rm65453 109 Posted January 3 Don't think rubyswatch is a TD here. Couldn't find their info. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites