This story started back in December when I decided to part with some watches, including this Premoon Speedmaster -69.



Before I even have time to list it here, I shared a couple of pictures on Instagram and and got contacted by a guy I was following, without ever having discussed privately or commented on his posts.

We agreed on a price and while looking for a comfortable and secure way to hand over the watch, I found out that the guy I'm dealing with lives in Berlin and is quite involved in Street Art. I have always been attracted by street art, especially big murals and graffiti of any kind but have never really had an opportunity to dig that. My suggestion was to fly and meet him in his city and, in exchange, get some of his time for a private street art tour in Berlin.

To my greatest surprise, he immediately accepted my proposal, we worked out a date and - two months later - it finally happened last weekend. I would like to share some of my photographs made during the day - Berlin is a great city, well known for music and its underground culture but what I've seen in one day in terms of art is mind-blowing.

My girlfriend an I met our host and two other friends in the early afternoon and started our tour in a very dynamic and alternative place hosting an art gallery, a skate park, several clubs, underground collaborative workspaces etc. Graffitis and art everywhere :



Walked through different areas in the city, hunting for large murals :



One particular mural deserved special attention and, obviously a wristshot :



Also appreciated this amazing artwork made with some scotch-tape on a window :



Seen from inside, it looks even better with the daylight in the background :



Now imagine how it looks from outside when it's dark outiside and the lights are switched on, inside...

We've spend several hours on walking across the city, watching, talking, sharing - about art, watches, tons of other things - got some typical german food and beverage...



...and, as a result, what could have been a simple transaction became so much more to all of us.



I decided to share this story not only to share the photographs of some street art in Berlin but also to highlight how amazing this hobby can be. Sharing, learning, having great time and enjoy life hundreds of miles away from home with incredible people you've nothing in common except (initially) this common passion for a specific watch and its history.

I wish this gives you some ideas and we may read more of such experiences shared on ΩF in the future. For me it's been mind-blowing and I can't wait for the next comparable experience to happen.



A small step in collecting but a huge leap in my collecting experience !

 

What an amazing day you spent =) Love the story, art and everything about it. There's is often some kind of connection between "watchpeople", no matter if you just sell a bracelet or a Speedmaster. Most of the time i end up, atleast, having a coffee together while doing the transaction

 

Absolutely awesome! Looks like it was a great experience for everyone involved. You have a really good camera from the looks of it and you are very good at taking photos. Thank you for sharing your experience with us!

I’ve only traveled to buy motorcycles and also motorcycle trips for east coast meet-ups. Every time I have purchased out of state I was invited to dinner and stay at the persons house over night to make my trip less strenuous. Same goes for east coast meet-ups we used to have (I no longer have the bike that went along with the meet) I would be invited to stay at a fellow forum members house for the night to relax and head for home the next day. One of those out of state gentleman stood with me at my wedding and our wives have the same name, small world.

I am looking forward to my first f2f purchase from someone here because of that. I don’t know when it will be, but I my hopes are high because of my other past experiences.

 

Damn... where’s the multiple like button when you need it.

 

... and there you spit it out before me Fully agreed, fully understood, and same-same-but-different experiences already made and in the pipeline. Definitely the best part of watch-collecting IMHO

 

Cool story, thanks for sharing!

 

@CJpickup57 thanks for the kind words, the photographs were made with an iPhone 8s, no fancy camera or setup involved

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Happy to read that other members already had similar experiences, it’s def worth much more than just a good sale.

 

@kov, thanks so much for sharing this incredible experience related to your travel adventure. It was so well documented, in fact, that you have satisfied my desire to see street art in Berlin, and now I can afford another watch...

 

awesome story. love the pics!

 

what a cool story and dito pics. really liked it! reminder for myself, make better pics while traveling.

 

Fantastic idea, stunning pics. Huge thanks for sharing

 

Thank you for sharing this awesome experience. Berlin is in the this do list, did you visit any watch shops between the street grafiti?

 

Nah, I contacted Shuck the Oyster but he was on holidays so it will be for next time Watch shops weren't my priority for this (too short) weekend

 

Just showed this to a friend who is flying to Berlin tomorrow to pick up a couple watches he is purchasing from a Berliner. This is such a cool story, A. Thanks for sharing it.

 

Thanks for sharing and experiencing

 

Great story! I have no watch to sell but happy to show you round Banksy's Bristol if you're ever in town

 

Woaawww that’s all I can say, the sensations, feelings and moments you had are incredible well described

 

Life is a box of chocolates........ you really picked one.

 

Noted !

Had goosebumps while writing my post and picking the photographs to illustrate

 

Loved the story and the photos...... until the currywurst!