Looking back: Best or your favorite watch purchase of 2013

I had a buying frenzy the last 3 months of the year, but this surprise purchase which is also my last of the year probably is my favorite. I wasn't expecting to get the "call" from the NY Panerai Boutique. I'll call it a Christmas present to myself 😉

I hope you still recall I have first dibs on this. 👍

For me. It's easy. Only added one and flipped 3, so the watch fund is flush while I search. The new one is a Breitling Aerospace. Never saw myself going quartz, but the lack of a second hand makes it work. The Ti case and bracelet make it wear like it's not even there even with the 42mm diameter. After borrowing a friends for a few weeks, I had to have one.

This would be a very interesting thread 😁..........

Lots of ins and lots of outs but a few favourites from the past year, 2013 has been fuuuuuun! 😀

A black and textured dial Constellation was wanted from the beginning, this came along in nice unpolished shape so out the squirrel came:



Then after much connie collecting I finally narrowed the collection down and sourced this 352 ref 2648 chronometer in rose gold:



Round the same time I traded a couple of steel Connies for this since 2500 Centenary in fine shape as I missed the one I sold:



Last but not least my favourite "risk buy", not knowing how it would turn out this came to me from France with scratched crystal, and I had a hunch about the dial, markers being rose gold were a welcome bonus!



I guess these are my favourite pick of the lot, I have also started on sports Omega watches, but I will never let my love for the dress watch dwindle..


edit: just realised it was only the one! 🤦

I'd like to keep with me all the watches I bought this year, but unfortunately this is not possible, so here are my three favorites and keepers of this year.

I would say 2013 is my hoarding year. Many enter with very few outs. Mind you this is my first year of collecting.

For modern collection my favorite would be the Speedy Pro LE Apollo Soyuz 35th Meteorite dial. Buying in NOS condition from a UK collector with help from forum member, it comes with all accessories. I am still mesmerized with its dial and red script over dark grey contrast.




For vintage collection, my favorite are two pairs. Since I saw them among senior member collection, I swear I would like to have them in my collection each in yellow AND pink gold. Fortunately my hunting which began in February, could be completed by December.

The first vintage pair are Constellation Grand Luxe in yellow gold and pink gold. I got the yellow gold through eBay in May with the help of fellow forum member. It is a Connie Grand Luxe ref OT 14 365 with caliber 504. The pink gold one was sourced locally in December. It is a Connie Grand Luxe ref OT 2930 with caliber 505. The crown and second hand are incorrect, but the rests are in very good condition.





The second vintage pair are Constellation Deluxe in pink gold and yellow gold. The pink gold is my first all gold Omega, which made me fall for Grand Luxe/ Deluxe line of early Constellation. I bought it in February from a respectable forum member. Almost missed it since he already traded with his friend, but eventually his friend willing to let go to me. Coming with some imperfection on the dial, I took risk to clean it with satisfying result. It is Connie Deluxe ref OT 2853 with caliber 504.
The yellow gold Deluxe hunting began when I found there are two dial type in Deluxe line. Brushed and mirror dial. I haven't got mirror dial so I searched patiently in eBay. This is Constellation Deluxe ref OT 2799 with caliber 354 bumper. I got it from Spain in August with the help of a forum member to handle the shipment.


All in all 2013 is a fertile and satisfying year for my collection. I got a lot of friendly help from several forum members, which I gratefully thanks.

Happy holiday 2013 and new year 2014.....

Easy for me as I only added a couple.

I bought 5 watches this year. Without a doubt this was my favourite (although not my most expensive by far):

Lovely watch and very nice strap choice.

Without a doubt this one...

I did not expect to do much with watches this year, but of course ended up shifting many around. The best incoming has to be this ZRC Grands Fonds 300m, a dive watch I wanted before I started collecting dive watches.



Last week I had an opportunity to re-acquire a Bulova 7605, one of only two sales/trades that I regret. This one is much nicer than the one I let go:



And I guess I have to acknowledge another finally-got-one, a Carrera 3647:




Happy holidays to all!
😁

Not rare nor expensive, but I have more than a craze for these "poorman's Mark 11"....



... and will definitely aim for a real "big 11" for 2014, IWC being my favorite so far 🥰