As a counterpoint to @STANDY ’s thread that is rather heartbreaking about flippers and opportunists taking advantage of our collective goodwill- I thought it would be nice to see watches we have procured from our brothers and sisters in the OF Family. And this doesn’t even account for all the parts and straps and freebies that have gone back and forth from the kind folks with whom I feel the kinship of community. .
Another great occasion to show off the loot . The three below were bought from members here and the others in the collection have pretty much all, in one way or the other, been enabled through OF.
Here's two for me... This '71 Speedy I missed on the private sales forum a number of years ago, and when I posted there regretting that I missed it, the buyer here PM'd me to say that if he found the watch was not to his liking he would gladly pass it on to me for what he paid for it, and it ended up with me just as he promised. I then circled around to the original seller who still have the bracelet, and got that from him to keep the set complete, even though I'm not a bracelet guy and wear it on a strap. Then there's this one: This never made it to the sales section, but came from an OF member that offered it to me before listing it here. Cheers, Al
These are some but not all of the watches I have bought from the forum and still have. I think I have sold only one watch but that was to another member. The first one is my sisters 40th birthday gift so not sure if it counts.
Bought this one from Ulackfocus several years ago: Told him he could buy it back whenever he wanted. Got this one from @kyle L: Ref. 2648 Globemaster. The first version. Will try to keep them “in the family” if I ever decide to sell. Don’t hold your breath, gatorcpa
This one never made it to the Sales Section... but still came through OF. So did a few other Speedies. In contrast to some others, I still own all watches acquired through OF, must have to do with provenance.
And I forgot this one that I got from a fellow member who basically sold it to me for the sum of the parts as it had issues. I had it repaired and it’s awesome.
I’ve made 3 purchases on here between 2 members. I have never thought of selling these ever. These will be passed on to my kids in the future if they want them.
Some pieces I’m very happy with. I’ve dealt with some absolute gents in the sales forum. @MikiJ , @ChicagoFrog , @ext1 get a special thank you nod from me.
My first watch as a "collector", been owned by at least 3 previous OF members, out for service at the present. One from Kyle L honoring a "dibs". One from spikispikester via pm (taken from me by the USPS gods returning from service).
I've been lucky enough to purchase several watches from Tony, although not via the Private Sales forum, this was the most recent. This one came from Todd, and was listed on the Private Sales Forum. I haven't seen him in quite a while BTW, hopefully all is well. Interpreting the topic of the thread very liberally, this was from Achim, several years ago, to complete my Czech Pilot trio ... I believe via eBay. Before I was an OF member.
I came for a birth year Speedy, haven’t left. The Grand Seiko VFA I spotted on eBay but turned out to be a long-standing OF member so we brought the conversation here before (shock horror) meeting in person.
} All bought here in the family, I still have them all. There is an additional 40th anv Apollo 40 bought from Spacefruit that I bought as never being worn and so far I’ve also never worn it. Wrestling with what to do with it as I already wear and love the Apollo 15 LTD so decisions to be made.
I’ve purchased all of the watches below from OF members. My communications with each of the sellers has been very pleasant. They have all been true watch lovers. And all watches continue to be worn in rotation - and enjoyed!
@UncleBuck dibs on the gold tonneau! Here’s a nice oversized Seamaster Chronometre I picked up from the man himself @Tony C.