The Great Big Introductions Thread

Kiwibloke · May 9, 2020

Kia ora koutou katoa (greetings all) from New Zealand

I have no great watch-related backstory, other than I do remember my first watch (when I was maybe 9 or 10) was a Citizen chosen from a catalogue. The dad of a great school mate worked in the watch industry (maybe a salesman for Citizen?) - anyway, I (or my patents of course) received a mate's rate deal on the watch. What I have been into my whole life is classic/interesting cars (majority of threads contributed to so far on the forum!) - not as a collector (unfortunately) and definitely not as a restorer (I am mechanically inept) but to enjoy, acquire in as original as possible condition (or return to as original as possible) and use-as-intended (no garage queens - ever)...

I honestly can't remember what filled the gap between then and 1993 when we had the opportunity to live and work in NYC for 3 years. I bought a pretty basic Raymond Weil Parsifal somewhere on 5th Ave and that was my only watch until 2019. At that point I discovered my 16-year old son had developed a watch-fetish through Instagram and You Tube and introduced me to the Omega Speedmaster story. On a trip to visit my sister in Sydney we spend some time making a nuisance of ourselves in the high-end watch shops there (for my son's benefit) and looked at a good number of Omega's including the '57 Trilogy series. There I also discovered the Railmaster 'look' (triangular hour markers, etc) which I really liked.

All very nice I thought, but plenty of other things to do. My son then spotted a modded Seiko on our local equivalent of eBay with broad arrow hands and a Spectre dial - great Omega look for $100!

From there though the slippery slope started with visits to a local dealer started by two guys who were collectors, to trying on more modern Speedmasters for size and feel, to deciding that a great use of of some funds left by my parent's would be a nice vintage Speedmaster, to pouring over Chrono24 and eBay, and then being put onto this great forum...

Intent was a nice 145.022-69 but - as my Dad used to say - "in for a penny, in for a pound" - and I finished this initial part of my Omega journey with a watch that blows my mind every-time that I look at the photos. Not on my wrist yet as waited for the coronavirus situation to improve in New Zealand so that delivery is less problematic - but soon! I'll leave a proper post in the proper place, but just wanted to say what a fantastic guy Alexsis (@kov) has been in answering all my silly questions and helping with all sorts of information completely unrelated to the sale (including info. from Moonwatch Only as I haven't been able to find anyone to ship me a copy on the 3rd Edition yet...)

Will finish with a pic on the matching 7912 bracelet - just original #6 end links to find at some point - and I look forward to continuing the journey with help of all the good folk on this forum!

Nga mihi (best wishes),
Martin

pdxleaf · May 9, 2020

I love that your son got you into watches. Can't do better than that for a background story.

Your first Speedy is spectacular. If you were making up for lost time then you definitely caught up and went on up to the front. Really nice choice.

Kiwibloke · May 9, 2020

pdxleaf
I love that your son got you into watches. Can't do better than that for a background story.

Your first Speedy is spectacular. If you were making up for lost time then you definitely caught up and went on up to the front. Really nice choice.

Thank you; more good luck than good management but will give myself some credit on finding the right seller to deal with, who shares same ‘originality where ever possible’ ethic.

STANDY · May 9, 2020

daf90
Gday from Adelaide, Australia.

Got into watches when I used to frequent a cigar shop that used to also be an Oris AD. Picked up my first mechanical watch there - an Oris Williams Racing Chronograph.

Turned to Omega when I found a few unloved vintage Seamasters buried in some drawers in the family home. Asked dad about it - one belonged to my late grandfather, the other was bought by my grandfather for my father as a birthday present when he was a teenager. Pop’s Seamaster is a 1950s model, not sure of the reference as I wasn’t able to find it in the archives. I’m pretty sure dad’s (a Cosmic 2000) is the 366.0825. It’s currently sitting unloved in a drawer but that will change soon. I also have a close friend with a Moonwatch which has strengthened the sentimental value of Omega for me.

Found this forum through searching AD experiences - I’m turning 30 this year and thinking of continuing the family tradition with a new piece of my own. I have some early preferences, but keeping an open mind to see what I like most on my wrist.

Here’s the Oris that started my journey and has been on my wrist daily ever since.

Gday from up the road a touch. Good to see another Aussie on board. And a Kiwi @Kiwibloke

Funny how from Sydney to Darwin and nearly 4000km You only need the blinker about 4 times. Probably wouldn’t need it from Adelaide 😉

UKFalc · May 16, 2020

Hi,

I am Alan from Wales. I started visiting this forum last summer when I purchased my first Omega - a rose gold Seamaster With a black dial. I also own a couple of Tag Heuer watches too, which serve as are my everyday watches.

I only joined the forum a couple of weeks ago, as I’ve recently been thinking about add 1 or 2 nice vintage Omega’s to my little collection. My tastes lean towards simple but smart dress watches, rather chronographs and flight watches.

This is a fantastic forum, with so many helpful and knowledgeable posters. I will undoubtedly continue to visit on a regular basis.

mcemeren · May 23, 2020

Hello My name is Cem (pronounced as Gem), I am an addict (here you say, welcome Cem).

Here is my story.

My first watch was a Mondia Top Second (Blue dial). I cracked it quickly, unfortunately I lost it. I have had many watches after that, early 80s digital display quartz watches, I cracked them all. One day, my father gave me a Seiko LCD, saying, “”you won’t be able to crack this”, It is still with me, very well beaten but functional. I was not able to crack it.

The time came I was more mature, neither running, nor jumping at home, my father gave me another watch, a nice Zenith (cal. 2511). I did not believe my eyes. I started to value the mechanical time pieces from then on.

Here in this forum, I have been peeping and mildly interacting for a while. I am a watch addict, God bless you all 😀.

samspeedmaster · May 27, 2020

Hi there,
I’m new to the forum and to watch collecting in general.

I have recently locked in what I think will be a life long addiction with my Speedmaster Racing.

I’m quite keen to look at a nice dive watch too (PO, or maybe even a Breitling Superocean?) I’d love to hear the thoughts of those with more experience than me. Cheers!

Franzlad · May 27, 2020

Hi guys!
I’ve been a collector my whole life (dinky toys, basketball cards, young timer cars -ie jalopies- but started collecting vintage watches 4 years ago.
My favorite are time-only watches from the 40’s to the 60’s with a preference for Omega and Zenith; I’m quite active on Instagram.
I’ve been browsing OF for about a year but figured I’d like to join in the discussion now.
I started with dress Seamaster’s but my current passion are 2639 watches; I can’t get enough of them! 😀
Cheers
François

Wildcat96 · May 27, 2020

Hi Everyone, my name is Neill and I just purchased my first Omega a Seamaster 300! I also have Rolex that was inherited when my grandfather passed, but the Omega is the first luxury watch I’ve purchased. Was thinking of going to Jomashop for the purchase, but a local AD gave me 20% off and they had it in stock. Piece of mind.

I live in the Dallas Fort Worth area and am planning on visiting the local boutique store to purchase a NATO strap next.

This forum has been very informative and certainly helped with this purchase.

cjfrancese79 · May 28, 2020

Hello my name is Christopher. This is my first watch of this caliber and I am happy to have landed on the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch.
I have had many watches over the years and got tired of the batteries always dying, moved into the Citizen watches for the solar capabilities but really wanted a nice mechanical watch for a long time. I have an antique Elgin pocketwatch my father gave me but they are so impractical in this day and age, and only use it in dress occasions. It finally came down to 2 Omega's, and almost went with the new Railmaster but ultimately the history and design of the Moonwatch won out.

CBTheologian · May 29, 2020

Hi All, I'm saving up for a speedy 😀. Got bit by the watch bug 4 years ago when I was studying the Apollo missions. Tried to satisfy the speedy urge with micro brands but it's not working lol.

lawler · Jun 1, 2020

Pleasure to meet you all.

Thought it best that I introduce myself as I become more obsessed with the Omega vintage world.

I have been a member over at TZ-UK for a few years now but I am now becoming much more interested in the Omega vintage watch space rather than the usual new Rolex discussions, especially when it all usually comes down to the same models being discussed and everyone's obsession on flipping watches now and countless threads on perceived value increases.

I am currently on the hunt for my first vintage watch, likely to be a 60's Seamaster, which I am sure will open 'Pandora's Box' and lead me further down the rabbit hole to more models that I have to try and find.

Look forward to getting to know you all and becoming involved in this excellent online community.

Shaun

cassius66 · Jun 4, 2020

Hi all, I’m around a month late with an introduction as I didn’t see this thread when I 1st joined😟
I joined the forum initially to pick up some tips on buying a vintage watch,initially Omega or maybe Longines, and I’ve lurked and liked for the past month.
I was saved from picking up a dud or 2 thanks to replies to posts I made on here👍
I’d initially dipped into the proposed purchase to celebrate my 50th four years ago, but ended up in George Bailey scenario where everytime I got the money together it had to spent elsewhere(kids at Uni!).
I think I’ve popped in everyday since I joined, so lockdown has been good! I’m currently furloughed but also suffering from a trapped nerve in my back so I haven’t been able to do much of anything!
I remember being fascinated, by the watch movement, in my dads old watch as a kid and then my 1st Timex both of which still run👍(pics attached). But I couldn’t see a watch as more than a tool and didn’t ‘get’ people paying so much for them, even when I worked as telecom technician around Hatton Garden and saw many high end pieces(which I could’ve got deals on at the time, late ‘80s). I rarely wore my 1st watch as I’d wanted the black faced variety, I picked one up on eBay on a whim a couple of years back, with as far as I can tell, an original strap but broken stem(pic attached again) they seem to be very popular now.
Having tracked watch sales here and on eBay and gone over the ‘is this a redial’ threads, I finally took the plunge on a Lemania. I like the idea of watch muggles looking and saying ‘that’s nice’ but watch magi looking and the same in a different tone(hopefully!). Again pics attached.
I did find myself saying to the wife ‘it’s a good one to start with’ I hadn’t intended further purchases but I can feel it in my waters now, I’ve been a comic collector since I was a kid so maybe it’s time to convert one collection into another!
Sorry for the long introduction...oh and I’m in Manchester UK, so I’ll likely be looking for a recommendation for somewhere to service watches in another post👍

looselywound · Jun 5, 2020

Hi everyone,
Similar to many of us caught this affliction after I inherited my Dad’s Constellation a few years back. Found the forum when looking for information about that watch, since then’ve been hanging around here for and learned a ton, and thought I’d join in.

Today I’m wearing the latest addition to the bunch, a Broad Arrow 3551.50 that I’m really liking. Swapped the polished bezel for a brushed one from a later version, which for me makes a huge difference in how it looks.

Matchlock · Jun 13, 2020

I have a variety of watches including three Omega's. I've lurked here for a good while taking the opportunity to learn and am grateful for that. I've made a couple posts here including one today and thought it remiss of me not to introduce myself here, so, Hello all.
Mel.

killer67 · Jun 13, 2020

Matchlock
Hi there, I have a variety of watches including three Omega's. I've lurked here for a good while taking the opportunity to learn and am grateful for that. I finally got round to making a post today and thought it would be remiss of me not to introduce myself here.

Don’t hold back pics on the 3 Omegas 😁 welcome @Matchlock

Matchlock · Jun 13, 2020

K killer67
Don’t hold back pics on the 3 Omegas 😁 welcome @Matchlock

Thank you.
Here's a pic. Sorry to say they're not all showing the same time but the only one I use regularly is the one in the centre.
Constellation
Seamaster Omegamatic
De Ville

UPDATE
Just noticed the red cast on the photo's, It didn't look so pronounced on my original, nothing dramatic just a reflection from the curtains.😲

light0play · Jun 14, 2020

Hi all, I've just registered with the forum but have got advice off here numerous times since I got my Speedmaster Professional Ref: 31130423001005 last November, so thanks to you all for that.

I'm situated near Cardiff in Wales, UK and bought the watch new from the Cardiff Watches of Switzerland store where I had excellent service from Dominic.

I wanted a watch I could keep in good order and pass to my 2 year old son when he's old enough to appreciate it. I'm loving the watch and wear it whenever I can, when not planning on doing anything too risky so as to avoid damaging it. I'd love to be able to wear it every day so my son can think about me wearing it every day of my life when he's older. So I make sure I at least handle and wind it every day. Wearing it to work is out for me because as a land surveyor it would easily be damaged on a wall or something while surveying, so I only wear it in my time off.

I will post some stuff I've experienced so far with my watch, including one thing I've not seen mentioned before and which I resorted to emailing Omega for comment, and getting a reply.

Keep up the good work, I hope you all realise that when you post/comment you are helping untold numbers of people who have a query relevant to your post, and come across it by doing a Google search. So keep up the good work!

Steve

OptionZ · Jun 17, 2020

I used to hang out at my grandfather's jewelry store, where he sold Omegas. I didn't get interested in watches until much later though. My dad gave me his old Datejust, it wasn't my style, I had my eye on a Seamaster or a Speedmaster. Decades later, after my parents passed away, I found his old Omega in a safe at the jewelry store. It looks dated, but I think I like it that way. I haven't seen too many like this, but I see Matchlock has the same one!

imfagent449 · Jun 20, 2020

When I was in my late teens, I really wanted an Omega Seamaster - it looked soo cool. I also wanted a Zenith EP - at that time you could get one for around 800 USD second hand.

After hanging out on the first watch forum for a while, I came to realize that Longines seemed to offer great value for money - almost no one was collecting them. At that time you could find Cloisonne dial Longines pocketwatches online for really cheap. My first Longines was a 30LS and I think I paid around 150 AUD (around 110USD at the time). I kept purchasing a watch or two a year - some years more than others.

I eventually got a 1969 Speedmaster - it cost me 800USD at the time. I really wish that I had kept it now.

Here is a picture of a GP quartz - I believe the movement is a precursor for a modern Quartz movement. I love the design. (it needs the battey replaced)