Let’s see those watches

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Number 7, the last of my mechanical watches. This one goes back to 2002. My wife got it for me as present when I graduated from college, Cal Poly Pomona. This was the start of my watch journey. A Chopard, Mille Miglia model chronograph. The case back depicts a portion of the Italian peninsula and has the route of the race on it. It’s less of a race today, and more of a classic car tour. It’s a 40mm diameter.
 

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Story time… this weekend at DSC I was standing with @Christian Craighead’s fiancé chatting away when 2 young guys walk up to us. They start fan girling on Laci’s MOD Mutineer watch. We chuckled. They talked about how much they love Christian, and asked if she was a fan and I responded, "The biggest fan" to which she said "I'm his fiancé." They were speechless and then walked away. We looked at each other and started laughing because Christian was less than 10 feet away and they had no idea.
 
In 2010, I owned a 1972 Rolex Red Submariner - one of the most collectible vintage Rolex references ever made (though that fact wasn't as known as it is today). It needed an $800 service from Rolex.

Instead of paying it, I traded the watch straight across for this bad boy.

I avoided an $800 service bill and lost ~$50K in appreciation. Every time I look at this watch I smile - it reminds me of how big of a fucking idiot I was when I was younger. And, to not be short-sighted with investments.

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In 2010, I owned a 1972 Rolex Red Submariner - one of the most collectible vintage Rolex references ever made (though that fact wasn't as known as it is today). It needed an $800 service from Rolex.

Instead of paying it, I traded the watch straight across for this bad boy.

I avoided an $800 service bill and lost ~$50K in appreciation. Every time I look at this watch I smile - it reminds me of how big of a fucking idiot I was when I was younger. And, to not be short-sighted with investments.

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That makes my heart hurt for you.
 
Just got it today. #16
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Last watch for this thread (#8) the only current quartz movement I have. A 44mm LumiNox limited edition from the Gunsite Pro Shop in Paulden, AZ. Number 76 of 100. It’s very lightweight, has been to Africa more than once as well as several classes at Gunsite. On the case back, you’ll see Col. Cooper’s crest.
 

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In 2010, I owned a 1972 Rolex Red Submariner - one of the most collectible vintage Rolex references ever made (though that fact wasn't as known as it is today). It needed an $800 service from Rolex.

Instead of paying it, I traded the watch straight across for this bad boy.

I avoided an $800 service bill and lost ~$50K in appreciation. Every time I look at this watch I smile - it reminds me of how big of a fucking idiot I was when I was younger. And, to not be short-sighted with investments.

View attachment 2044
Nice watch! Would you have sold the Rolex prior to $50k gain ( say $25k! or even once fully matured?
 
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Seiko SSK023

Bought it for an upcoming trip to the former Yugo countries, put it on a WOE leather strap and looks pretty neat now.

I also painted the GMT numbers on the bezel orange to help with visibility and it came out a lot better than I expected, just wish the numbers on the dial had lume
 
Nice watch! Would you have sold the Rolex prior to $50k gain ( say $25k! or even once fully matured?
Yeah man, 100%.

If I'd held the Red Sub and sold at peak vintage hype (let's say $45-50K around 2019-2020), I would have immediately bought the new 41mm Submariner that dropped in September 2020 at retail, and an Oyster Perpetual 36 in Yellow or Green for my wife, also released September 2020.

The Perpetuals are impossible to find / are cool as shit. And the new Subs are built so solidly. One collectible asset vs. two current-production pieces plus $30K in cash, no brainer for me.

I have an older Datejust for formal occasions - vintage watches are special, super cool and tell a story. But, IMO they aren't as everyday wearable - the steel marks easily, they are finicky and can cost >$1k for service from Rolex and take anywhere from 3-8 months to get back.

I wear my watches hard too.
 
Sangin Kinetic II Ti while waiting for the Atlas II to be repaired. Got this to replace a Garmin for adventures. Went with Sangin out of frustration when Gundersons & local Rolex shops wanted to come in to the store “to talk” about a Submariner.
 

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Sangin Kinetic II Ti while waiting for the Atlas II to be repaired. Got this to replace a Garmin for adventures. Went with Sangin out of frustration when Gundersons & local Rolex shops wanted to come in to the store “to talk” about a Submariner.
I like that band a lot, is that Sangin?
 
Thanks. Yeah. I like 5:00 crowns due to being left handed, but they’re sometimes harder to find. I’ve been looking at the prospect GMT diver for this reason.
Makes sense. My Sangin has an 8 o'clock crown and I love it. Totally out of the way, no accidental snags, zero crown-bite when flexing my wrist.
 
Yeah man, 100%.

If I'd held the Red Sub and sold at peak vintage hype (let's say $45-50K around 2019-2020), I would have immediately bought the new 41mm Submariner that dropped in September 2020 at retail, and an Oyster Perpetual 36 in Yellow or Green for my wife, also released September 2020.

The Perpetuals are impossible to find / are cool as shit. And the new Subs are built so solidly. One collectible asset vs. two current-production pieces plus $30K in cash, no brainer for me.

I have an older Datejust for formal occasions - vintage watches are special, super cool and tell a story. But, IMO they aren't as everyday wearable - the steel marks easily, they are finicky and can cost >$1k for service from Rolex and take anywhere from 3-8 months to get back.

I wear my watches hard too.
I’m with ya. I probably would have sold it even prior to peak of $50k 😂. Age old dilemma. Has it reached its peak or will it continue to climb? Hindsight 20/20 and only way to find out peak is riding it out, sometimes blowing past peak and caught on the decline.
 
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