Messages: 3133 Location: Europe
Registered: March 2008
SOTC 2015.
Mon, 28 December 2015 03:52
This year was marked by an almost complete change of direction for my collection: less quantity more quality!
In fact, I ended the year 2014 with 17 pieces in my collection not being able to give each watch the wrist time it deserved but also having some that gave me less wearing pleasure than others.
Before starting the transformation I gave myself some rules out of past experiences (good and bad) to help staying focused:
* Maximum number of watches 12 with a +- mix of 1/3rd casual and 2/3rd higher horology
* Size wise no watches above 44mm and below 39 mm
* No compromise on wearing comfort
* Yellow gold is not for me
* Visual diversity is key (ex : no two steel bracelet, black dial sports watches...)
* No two watches with identical movement
* No precious metal watch which is also available in steel (would always feel to have paid too much ...)
* No more colored gold watches above 40 mm dimension
* Top class selection of my favorite complication : chronographs
* For all new incomings, focus on brands and models with good value retention
In the end, only 5 watches survived the transformation ( Breguet 5247,JLC Duometre,PP 5960, PF Tonda 1950,Piaget Polo) which also means that 12 watches were sold and made room for 7 newcomers.
Here is what I now have in order of arrival:
Piaget Polo: the oldest watch in my collection and still a favorite of mine. I regard the Polo as one of the finest watch designs ever, with supreme comfort and elegance on the wrist. In reality much more subtle and discreet as the pictures might suggest!
JLC Duometre à chronographe: an avant-garde concept from one of the leading Swiss watch companies. In PT a real heavyweight statement on the wrist but still retains elegance and style.
Breguet 5247 : pure Breguet DNA for a watch that appears to belong to long forgotten (better?) times. Powered by the famous Lemania movement ,which was the high end reference for manual chronographs for many decades.
Patek Philippe 5960 P : this is simply my favorite modern PP design! Interesting and unique combination of a chronograph with an annual calendar .
Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda 1950 : my favorite ,not so conventional, "dress" watch...and a movement that rivals the very best in terms of finish and design.
Lange 1 Grand Lange 1 Moonphase : I am a big fan of the classic Lange 1 design and this is so far my favorite from all the various iterations.
AP ROO : I consider the RO and even more so the ROO as the best sports watch design...ever! A watch like a sculpture : often copied, never matched!
Patek Philippe 5170 G : understated elegance with a small vintage touch. A real "dress" chronograph with a superb movement .
Omega Dark Side Of The Moon : superb and modern interpretation of the classic Speedmaster design. High tech ceramic case with probably the most technically advanced chrono movement on the market.
Tudor Heritage Chrono Blue : every collection needs a bit of color, isn't it ? A real superb vintage inspired chrono for all vacation, weekend and fun activities. And an overall quality that puts most other brands to shame, considering the asking price.
Lange Datograph "Up&Down" : the one chronograph to rule them all ?! Probably THE watch that made Lange what it is today.
Rolex Day Date 40 : the one modern Rolex that I was waiting for. Timeless elegance and the discreet warm shimmer of white gold make this a watch for all possible occasions.
Getting close to retirement,I have no major watch collecting plans for next year. Maybe a 16710 Rolex GMT Pepsi...if I can find
a nice example.
- jerrylux48