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Aludic
··@SpeedyBirthYearSo, as mentioned in this thread, I've recently managed to acquire a grail addition to my Speedmaster collection; a BA 345.0802. With approximately 300 pieces of these made in the early 80s, this isn't exactly a straightforward process which I thought would be best turned into a small adventure. 😀
As I didn't want to drift @watchstick_81 's excellent thread on this watch too much, I thought it would make sense to do a little report on that adventure here... Warning; it's picture heavy, I'm afraid.
Precursor
About a year ago, I've helped @watchstick_81 find his grail YG Speedy and as soon as I tipped him of an excellent example, I had this pang of regret thinking that it would be one I would have loved to add to my own collection instead. But it found a great home and as is clear from the reports, it's in very good hands. Still, there was this nagging feeling that I'd want one of my own. So the search began and the bar was high as the condition should be equally good as his. Earlier this year, a nice one popped up at an auction in Stockholm. Pictures were reasonable, the resident expert clearly knew his onions and all looked good. There were some details worth clearing up though, and this is where @hansaboy comes into play for the first time in this story. Being a Swede and somewhat near the auction house, he went there in person, handled the watch, came back with an encouraging verdict and left me in the right place to bid. Which I did. 😀
Won!
Of course it's great to win a watch like this, but having it shipped was a bit of a challenge as I have not spend much time at home. And leaving something this valuable at a pickup point was a big no-no for me. Which is where the party really started as @hansaboy kindly invited me to his home and offered to collect the watch in person, together. Which we planned for.
Logistics
So far, so good, right? Netherlands to Sweden is not very far and I'm living fairly near Schiphol. Unfortunately, though, the public transportation went on strike the exact morning I was due for Copenhagen and onwards to Sweden. No problem, I just did the Dutch thing... And hopped on my bicycle. I suspect there's very few passengers arriving at Schiphol by bike, to collect a valuable collector watch, but hey, it's fun!
Starting the journey early, nicely timed by a freshly serviced 145.012-67...
Straight through a very calm Amsterdam South...
And through the Amsterdamse Bos (loosely translated into Amsterdam Forest, more of a park, really).
And on to the airport...
Amsterdam (Schiphol) - Copenhagen (Kastrup) - Helsingborg
Once at the airport, the journey was smooth (and hot thanks to the massive heatwave we are currently experiencing here). Upon arrival at Helsingborg Centralen, @hansaboy welcomed me with a very thoughtful sign. It made me laugh, hard.
A solid lunch was of course in order after this journey, which the Swedish kitchen caters very well for. A true trip down memory lane as I've lived in Sweden i the past...
There it is; meet Goldie!
Dressed to the occasion, I changed my 145.012 for a WG Apollo 11 Speedy (BC, 3192.30)... Don't they make for a glorious pair? 🥰
The rest of the afternoon was very well spent at the poolside, where we admired the new entrant as well as @hansaboy's impressive collection and had a drink or two.
To Denmark, and back.
The next morning started as sunny as the day before had ended, which brought the perfect opportunity to take a little boat ride from Helsingborg (Sweden) to Helsingør (Denmark). Rest assured, no vintage watches were worn during that rather splashy ride, even though they did come along. 😁
After another very good lunch on the Danish side, we headed back to Sweden and I travelled on to home. About 36 hours after leaving my bicycle at the airport, I found it back where I'd left it and cycled back home. Temperatures were still in the 30s (Celsius) so things were taken slowly... 🥵
Tack så mycket! (thanks a lot!)
A big, fat thank you is owed to @hansaboy for being instrumental in acquiring this piece, but moreover in an unforgettable little trip to Sweden, filled with watch enthusiasm, good food and brewski and even more companionship. Things like this make this forum so much fun!
TLDR: I picked up a BA 345.0802 in person in Sweden and met @hansaboy ; absolutely loved it!
And as I cannot resist, here's another pic of the watch that started this all...
As I didn't want to drift @watchstick_81 's excellent thread on this watch too much, I thought it would make sense to do a little report on that adventure here... Warning; it's picture heavy, I'm afraid.
Precursor
About a year ago, I've helped @watchstick_81 find his grail YG Speedy and as soon as I tipped him of an excellent example, I had this pang of regret thinking that it would be one I would have loved to add to my own collection instead. But it found a great home and as is clear from the reports, it's in very good hands. Still, there was this nagging feeling that I'd want one of my own. So the search began and the bar was high as the condition should be equally good as his. Earlier this year, a nice one popped up at an auction in Stockholm. Pictures were reasonable, the resident expert clearly knew his onions and all looked good. There were some details worth clearing up though, and this is where @hansaboy comes into play for the first time in this story. Being a Swede and somewhat near the auction house, he went there in person, handled the watch, came back with an encouraging verdict and left me in the right place to bid. Which I did. 😀
Won!
Of course it's great to win a watch like this, but having it shipped was a bit of a challenge as I have not spend much time at home. And leaving something this valuable at a pickup point was a big no-no for me. Which is where the party really started as @hansaboy kindly invited me to his home and offered to collect the watch in person, together. Which we planned for.
Logistics
So far, so good, right? Netherlands to Sweden is not very far and I'm living fairly near Schiphol. Unfortunately, though, the public transportation went on strike the exact morning I was due for Copenhagen and onwards to Sweden. No problem, I just did the Dutch thing... And hopped on my bicycle. I suspect there's very few passengers arriving at Schiphol by bike, to collect a valuable collector watch, but hey, it's fun!
Starting the journey early, nicely timed by a freshly serviced 145.012-67...
Straight through a very calm Amsterdam South...
Amsterdam (Schiphol) - Copenhagen (Kastrup) - Helsingborg
Once at the airport, the journey was smooth (and hot thanks to the massive heatwave we are currently experiencing here). Upon arrival at Helsingborg Centralen, @hansaboy welcomed me with a very thoughtful sign. It made me laugh, hard.
A solid lunch was of course in order after this journey, which the Swedish kitchen caters very well for. A true trip down memory lane as I've lived in Sweden i the past...
There it is; meet Goldie!
Dressed to the occasion, I changed my 145.012 for a WG Apollo 11 Speedy (BC, 3192.30)... Don't they make for a glorious pair? 🥰
The rest of the afternoon was very well spent at the poolside, where we admired the new entrant as well as @hansaboy's impressive collection and had a drink or two.
To Denmark, and back.
The next morning started as sunny as the day before had ended, which brought the perfect opportunity to take a little boat ride from Helsingborg (Sweden) to Helsingør (Denmark). Rest assured, no vintage watches were worn during that rather splashy ride, even though they did come along. 😁
After another very good lunch on the Danish side, we headed back to Sweden and I travelled on to home. About 36 hours after leaving my bicycle at the airport, I found it back where I'd left it and cycled back home. Temperatures were still in the 30s (Celsius) so things were taken slowly... 🥵
Tack så mycket! (thanks a lot!)
A big, fat thank you is owed to @hansaboy for being instrumental in acquiring this piece, but moreover in an unforgettable little trip to Sweden, filled with watch enthusiasm, good food and brewski and even more companionship. Things like this make this forum so much fun!
TLDR: I picked up a BA 345.0802 in person in Sweden and met @hansaboy ; absolutely loved it!
And as I cannot resist, here's another pic of the watch that started this all...
