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·Hello all!
After almost a full decade lurking this forum, I have finally decided to create an account and come out of the shadows. I'll get to why in a moment, but first a few things:
First and foremost... thank you. Thanks to all of you. I've learned so much about Speedmasters from this community that I'll never be able to repay the gift of knowledge. It's impossible to name all of the people who've posted valuable content over the years, but in particular, thanks to @Spacefruit. I always look forward to your posts here, and I also follow your YouTube channel, where I've watched every video you've posted (most of them several times). Thanks @Archer for sharing the sort of technical knowledge that one usually has to pay for. And thanks to @Robert-Jan for your content here and also Fratello, where I'm also a member. RJ played a critical role a few years ago in my long-overdue acquisition of one of the new Ed Whites. That's probably a story for another day, but... RJ, you know what you did, and thank you again. It's my grail watch.
Next, a little bit about me. My first name is Chuck, and I live in Florida where I work as an engineer for a large commercial space company. My love of watches and space exploration obviously collided years ago in the form of the Moonwatch, and my addiction to Speedies has only grown, to the detriment of my bank account. I currently own four modern Speedies, all sapphire sandwiches, starting with the 1863 up to my Ed White:
Sorry for the poor quality picture. I'm definitely not a good photographer. But I am a decent engineer, and I love what I do. Every work day I walk into a building where we're assembling massive rockets, and I do it with a Speedmaster on my wrist. Speedies are a gentle but constant reminder that people in the space industry today stand on the shoulders of giants, and that we have a responsibility to their legacy. I'm also reminded that after all of the planning and engineering, when the engines light and things get sporty you have to be scrappy and rely on your knowledge and your tools. And while I don't speak for everyone who does what I do, I know just based on the number of Speedmasters I spot around the office on a weekly basis that I'm not the only one. In the picture I attached I've included three mission patches from the launches I've been a part of. These patches normally live in the boxes of the Speedmaster I was wearing during that launch, and they will travel with the box and papers to whoever is lucky enough to own these watches after my time is done (most likely my sons).
Finally, I'll answer the implied questions of why I waited so long to join, and why I'm joining now. As to the first... I just haven't had that much of value to say. I won't be someone who's posting here regularly until and unless I can offer value to the conversation. But I will be here reading and learning.
Second, and this is just being honest... for years I've been both fascinated by vintage Moonwatches, and also too intimidated to buy one. But I feel like that's changing and that my next Speedmaster might be a vintage one, possibly a 105.012-66 or thereabouts. I've also realized that this forum could well be the best place to find one at a fair price when the time comes, but that no one is going to sell a watch to someone who created a forum account five minutes before DMing a seller. So I'm planting a flag now, so to speak, so you all have time to get to know me the way I've gotten to know you over the last decade.
And that's it. That's all I've got to say for now. Thanks again, and I'll see you all around the forum.
Regards,
Chuck
After almost a full decade lurking this forum, I have finally decided to create an account and come out of the shadows. I'll get to why in a moment, but first a few things:
First and foremost... thank you. Thanks to all of you. I've learned so much about Speedmasters from this community that I'll never be able to repay the gift of knowledge. It's impossible to name all of the people who've posted valuable content over the years, but in particular, thanks to @Spacefruit. I always look forward to your posts here, and I also follow your YouTube channel, where I've watched every video you've posted (most of them several times). Thanks @Archer for sharing the sort of technical knowledge that one usually has to pay for. And thanks to @Robert-Jan for your content here and also Fratello, where I'm also a member. RJ played a critical role a few years ago in my long-overdue acquisition of one of the new Ed Whites. That's probably a story for another day, but... RJ, you know what you did, and thank you again. It's my grail watch.
Next, a little bit about me. My first name is Chuck, and I live in Florida where I work as an engineer for a large commercial space company. My love of watches and space exploration obviously collided years ago in the form of the Moonwatch, and my addiction to Speedies has only grown, to the detriment of my bank account. I currently own four modern Speedies, all sapphire sandwiches, starting with the 1863 up to my Ed White:
Sorry for the poor quality picture. I'm definitely not a good photographer. But I am a decent engineer, and I love what I do. Every work day I walk into a building where we're assembling massive rockets, and I do it with a Speedmaster on my wrist. Speedies are a gentle but constant reminder that people in the space industry today stand on the shoulders of giants, and that we have a responsibility to their legacy. I'm also reminded that after all of the planning and engineering, when the engines light and things get sporty you have to be scrappy and rely on your knowledge and your tools. And while I don't speak for everyone who does what I do, I know just based on the number of Speedmasters I spot around the office on a weekly basis that I'm not the only one. In the picture I attached I've included three mission patches from the launches I've been a part of. These patches normally live in the boxes of the Speedmaster I was wearing during that launch, and they will travel with the box and papers to whoever is lucky enough to own these watches after my time is done (most likely my sons).
Finally, I'll answer the implied questions of why I waited so long to join, and why I'm joining now. As to the first... I just haven't had that much of value to say. I won't be someone who's posting here regularly until and unless I can offer value to the conversation. But I will be here reading and learning.
Second, and this is just being honest... for years I've been both fascinated by vintage Moonwatches, and also too intimidated to buy one. But I feel like that's changing and that my next Speedmaster might be a vintage one, possibly a 105.012-66 or thereabouts. I've also realized that this forum could well be the best place to find one at a fair price when the time comes, but that no one is going to sell a watch to someone who created a forum account five minutes before DMing a seller. So I'm planting a flag now, so to speak, so you all have time to get to know me the way I've gotten to know you over the last decade.
And that's it. That's all I've got to say for now. Thanks again, and I'll see you all around the forum.
Regards,
Chuck
