With no intent to disparage Seiko or insult the Rolex fan boys, here is the watch that for me made me go and put the big bucks into the real thing. As I have said before, I bought this Seiko at an antique shop for $10, mostly because the original BoR bracelet was still with it. After toying with the idea of eBay'ing the bracelet, I decided I liked the watch enough to pay $90 for a service and a new crystal. Luckily, my watchmaker is semi retired and still living in the 80's price-wise for his services and watches, as some of you may remember I purchased my Speedy Pro 145.022-69 last May for $900 from him. Ok, so here is the Seiko 7006-8009R: I know some will say the case shape isn't an oyster, there is no brushing on the lugs, it isn't a jubilee bracelet, the dial isn't a tapestry dial etc., but loving this watch made me go out and spend the money on the "real thing", Rolex 16030. Does anyone else have a similar story? What us your "gateway" watch, what did it lead to, and did you keep the gateway? What is your story.....I hope I am not the only crazy here. ;-) McK
My youthful interest in my Great grandad's Illinois my dad owned prompted me to buy a 1878 Elgin 12s pocket watch in a sterling case once I had my first job. Before this watch I had owned a string of Westclox Scottys my dad had bought me (he wouldn't let me carry the Illinois for some reason), which I viewed as disposable (because they were), this was my first watch that was something worth keeping, caring for, and preserving.
@Waltesefalcon thank you for responding. I was afraid no one was going to respond and I really wanted to hear other people's stories, not just tell my own. I was afraid I was going to have to answer my own post with, Has anyone bought a Benrus Water Pilot as their first vintage watch buy at a yard sale and then realized that what they really wanted was an Omega Seamaster? Oh...…. wait...…... that was me too! LOL It was nice to hear from someone else that I am not the only one who is "crazy". Thanks again. McK