Spotted in the wild..

gostang9 · Apr 15, 2016

Tom Dick
A chance encounter in Sainburys was what sparked my now passion for Vintage Omega...

I... saw a chap in front of me, instantly recognising his watch. It was a very nice Speedsonic cushion, we had a brief conversation... We parted ways and as I left the supermarket he drove by me and waved in a gorgeous black Ferrari 550

Thanks for sharing. Nice ending!

It's neat how people at either end of the economic spectrum can enjoy fine watches. Some scrape together pennies to fund a watch they really want, while some who can afford the highest priced new models choose instead to wear something classic that they treasure.

Cool beans!

CanberraOmega · Apr 16, 2016

gostang9
I'm taking my family to Australia this coming December. We're visiting friends in Canberra, then heading with them to the sea for a few days (Batemans Bay?) and then finish with a few days in Sydney.

If USD/AUD rate stays where it is, I'm thinking an acquisition might be in order... 😉

Unfortunately everything here is already so expensive, even with the exchange rate, I doubt you will come out on top!

dialstatic · Apr 16, 2016

Like many of you, I have found that most people have next to zero interest in watches (at least in those other people wear). However, I was recently 'spotted' for the very first time. I was wearing a 176.007 Seamaster chrono during a seminar in Germany, after which a local PhD candidate gave my a ride to the airport. She noticed my watch and we got to talking about the German watch industry and how her husband was a big WIS. She was considering buying him a vintage Reverso as a present. I guess university salaries in Germany are...different 😉

Mouse_at_Large · Apr 16, 2016

Just returned to the frozen north-east of Scotland from a week in sunny Palma. One of the cultural activities was a guided wine and tapas evening. The charming guide was a young German woman wearing the attached. I got the impression that it was part of a divorce settlement 😉

Canuck · Apr 17, 2016

Two of us participated in the largest model train show in Canada, over the week end. We exhibited about 110 operational railroad grade and railroad approved pocket and wrist watches. One fellow showed up wearing his DON Omega Speedmaster Professional. Pictures of the Omega with our pocket watch exhibition to as a backdrop. The owner bought it new, 45 years ago.

I am often the beneficiary of the wisdom of some members of the public at shows like this one. One guy, today, gave me the names of two obscure watch brands, and told me they were made by actual watch manufacturers of those names. I suggested that, just because the movement was marked with that brand name, and the word SWISS, they were likely a generic Swiss private label. He was adamant! I told him that, after 65 years plus in this business, I am a pretty good judge of such watches. I then diverted my attention to another guest at our exhibit. He was miffed, to say the least!

.

lillatroll · Apr 17, 2016

CajunTiger
Ive only been asked once about my watch...I wear a vintage everyday.
At the time I was wearing a 60's Submariner...was standing in a dark and crowded restaurant waiting on a to go order when an older gentleman sitting at a table asked if I wanted to sell it. He knew immediately what it was even in the dark room. I laughed and said no thanks....it turned into a brief conversation until my food arrived. My wife was not amused.

Wives are never amused.....its their job

jsaen · Apr 18, 2016

Canuck
Two of us participated in the largest model train show in Canada, over the week end. We exhibited about 110 operational railroad grade and railroad approved pocket and wrist watches. One fellow showed up wearing his DON Omega Speedmaster Professional. Pictures of the Omega with our pocket watch exhibition to as a backdrop. The owner bought it new, 45 years ago.

I am often the beneficiary of the wisdom of some members of the public at shows like this one. One guy, today, gave me the names of two obscure watch brands, and told me they were made by actual watch manufacturers of those names. I suggested that, just because the movement was marked with that brand name, and the word SWISS, they were likely a generic Swiss private label. He was adamant! I told him that, after 65 years plus in this business, I am a pretty good judge of such watches. I then diverted my attention to another guest at our exhibit. He was miffed, to say the least!

.

That's a good story. I also would like to spot an interesting watch in the wild. I like your idea of showing off vintage railroad watches at a train show. Kind of like honey to flies.

Jones in LA · Apr 18, 2016

Mrs. Jones and I were on an inter-terminal train at the Sacramento airport yesterday and I noticed a young-ish guy, maybe 25-30 yrs old, wearing a modern Mark II Speedmaster. He was engrossed in something on the screen of his phone and as the train was approaching our final destination I tapped him on the shoulder and asked:

"Is that a Mark II?"

He replied with a proud grin: "Yes, it is".

I said "It's a really cool watch. You don't see those in the wild very often".

I was hoping/expecting we would go on from there, entering a pleasant, if brief, conversation about watches, about what makes a particular watch interesting...etc.

He continued smiling for a second, then turned back to his phone. End of conversation. There hadn't been the slightest effort on his part to even glance at what I might be wearing. He promptly left the train the moment the doors opened.

I thought it was cool that a younger guy would want to wear an old-school watch like that. He just happened to be someone who wasn't interested in talking abut watches.

ahartfie · Apr 18, 2016

Not really in the wild per se but I have seen two Constellations on TV recently, both ladies' models, one on the host of a daytime talk show and the other on a woman in a foot cream commercial! I also saw a 168.0054 like mine on House Hunters back in 2013.

TV show host, I'm pretty sure this is a Constellation but I couldn't get a good enough look at it. HD is great from across the room but up close.... I NEED A 4K TV! 😀

Foot cream:

And last but not least, another integrated bracelet two-tone 168.0054 like mine, seen on a episode of House Hunters:

I trust I'm not the only freak, er, aficionado who scrutinizes TV shows looking for Omegas.

Frunkinator · Apr 18, 2016

Ha, awesome. And you did great by grabbing a photo... Nice job!

Archer · Apr 19, 2016

ahartfie
I trust I'm not the only freak, er, aficionado who scrutinizes TV shows looking for Omegas.

I look for all kinds of watches, not just Omegas. My wife knows that if I pause a show I'm either looking at what watch someone is wearing, or about to point out yet another annoying continuity error...

Esmarch · Apr 19, 2016

I'm a radio host and get to meet a plethora of different people from all walks of life.

A couple of months ago this older scientist type guy, who is an expert on computers and internet culture, came in for an interview. I quickly spotted a Red Sub in really good condition on his wrist. He bought it with his first salary back in '77 I believe it was. Worn it every day since. Only recently he'd found out how much money it was actually worth (he has kept all boxes and papers) but wasn't gonna start wearing something else - would never wear a smartwatch, he said. Which is kindda funny considering he's been studying digital trends since computers was a thing.

It's this guy, by the way. How cool is he?

gostang9 · Apr 19, 2016

Esmarch
I'm a radio host and get to meet a plethora of different people from all walks of life.

A couple of months ago this older scientist type guy, who is an expert on computers and internet culture, came in for an interview. I quickly spotted a Red Sub in really good condition on his wrist. He bought it with his first salary back in '77 I believe it was. Worn it every day since. Only recently he'd found out how much money it was actually worth (he has kept all boxes and papers) but wasn't gonna start wearing something else - would never wear a smartwatch, he said. Which is kindda funny considering he's been studying digital trends since computers was a thing.

It's this guy, by the way. How cool is he?

Very cool indeed!

gostang9 · Apr 19, 2016

I'm in China with a large global team from my company. I had a chance to meet for the first time a colleague in Japan whom I'll be working quite closely with in the coming years. Soon after we started talking I noticed he was wearing a Speedmaster! I don't look specifically for Omegas but I found it interesting that I would once again see someone wearing this piece.

I asked him about it and he was more than happy to tell me his story. He bought it for himself in Japan around '96 or '97 when he graduated. When I pointed out the legacy behind the watch he quickly acknowledged that he was very familiar with the back-story. He studied engineering and was very interested in space travel at the time and so bought the Speedmaster specifically because of its link to the space program.

The fact that I knew about his watch and was interested in it seemed to help form an immediate bond and so our working relationship has started off quite nicely.

As always, I know "without picture it didn't happen..." So luckily he agreed to let me get a snapshot. It's not a great photo as lighting was terrible. Also keep in mind this is a daily wearer and has been for about 20 years...

I didn't capture the back but it was a hesalite sandwich with the see-through back.

STANDY · Apr 19, 2016

Next time you see him tell him the bracelet needs a clean ASAP......

gostang9 · Apr 19, 2016

During an evening dinner, I was sitting next to another colleague who recently took over a position which means we will be working together in the future. I noticed he was wearing a sub and when I commented that I liked his watch, he also gladly told me his story. His first nice watch was an Omega Speedmaster, his second was a Bell & Ross (don't remember what reference) and then for some time he'd wanted a sub. It took him about 6 months to find it at an AD due to his hectic work schedule (he's a French expat living and working in China).

While talking to him about watches, the earlier colleague wearing the Speedmaster stopped to talk with us and so I got them both to agree to a group photo.

Again the picture isn't great but it gives evidence of the trio. It seemed like a strange coincidence to find 2 colleagues at the same meeting who both appreciate fine watches.

gostang9 · Apr 19, 2016

Archer
I look for all kinds of watches, not just Omegas. My wife knows that if I pause a show I'm either looking at what watch someone is wearing, or about to point out yet another annoying continuity error...

I also find myself scanning wrists to spot nice watches and then attempt to identify the models.

I enjoy Richard Rawlings on "Fast & Loud" and have seen him wear several different nice pieces.

gostang9 · Apr 19, 2016

STANDY
Next time you see him tell him the bracelet needs a clean ASAP......

Yeah, I noticed it and wanted to say something but didn't think it would help build the positive spirit of cooperation I was working on.

ahartfie · Apr 19, 2016

Archer
or about to point out yet another annoying continuity error...

My favorite one of those is when someone's driving and the column shifter's in Park.

Sometimes I wish I could turn off my brain's editor circuit but no such luck.

gostang9 · Feb 5, 2017

Was at a birthday party for a family member last night and his friend was wearing his recently acquired Patek 5396R "Tiffany" dial. It was a grail for him and very special to see in real life. Not the kind of watch I'm likely to ever buy for myself given the price point.

Picture is terrible but shows the watch nonetheless. The owner happens to enjoy collecting nice watches and has quite a diverse and nice collection - this being the most recent acquisition.

Spotted in the wild..

gostang9

CanberraOmega

dialstatic

Mouse_at_Large

Canuck

lillatroll

jsaen

Jones in LA

ahartfie

Frunkinator

Archer

Esmarch

gostang9

gostang9

STANDY

gostang9

gostang9

gostang9

ahartfie

gostang9

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