Hello!
My name is Ben. I'm a designer (product & graphic), and lecturer at a university here in Melbourne, Australia.
I began collecting about 5 years ago, buying and flipping different styles and brands of watches as my knowledge grew and my tastes evolved. Divers make up the bulk of my small collection of Swiss and Japanese marques. However, I've just purchased a Speedy Pro (30th Anniversary Limited Edition) and it hasn't left my wrist. My other Omega is a Seamaster 2254.50, and had an orange PO, which I regret selling.
I would have never considered a vintage watch a few years ago. It makes me wonder if part of the WIS evolution is to begin dabbling in vintage pieces as their appreciation for timepieces grows. But I digress.
Over the last few years, I've been thinking more about my father. He died when I was twenty. I'm in my forties now and have come to realise how similar I am to him as the years roll by. A few weeks ago I found my father's JLC Memovox Travel Alarm tucked away in a box of keepsakes. It was in reasonably good condition considering it's age, but much to my dismay discovered it was missing a crown for the alarm, presumably lost from various moves over the last 20 years. The search for a replacement crown led me here and a growing interest in vintage watches.
Since then I've been devouring the information contained on this wonderful site, and so far have been impressed with not only the generosity of spirit of the members, but also the good natured but respectful consideration members' appear to communicate with one another in this forum. Also good to see a strong contingent of Aussies here!
I want to eventually get either a vintage Longines (Conquest/Flagship), Omega (Constellation/De-ville/Seamaster), or a gold UG Polerouter like my father had when I was growing up.
Sadly I was not into watches back then, nor did Dad educate me on an appreciation of the intricacies of watches. The first "good" watch he gave me was his Rolex Datejust, which I never wore because I thought it was broken. Being used to quartz watches, I couldn't understand why it kept stopping after two days of non use! I treasured his watches not because I understood their intrinsic value, but because they were my Dad's. Since then all of his watches have either been stolen, given away, or lost over the years. :-(
I look forward to learning more and getting to know all of you.
Aussies: What are you're tip/s for the Melbourne Cup tomorrow?
oh...suddenly you make me feel old. However we could show you many young members here (as young as high school student last year) who has string of gold vintage collection as a proof that age has nothing to do with what type of watch you collect 馃槈.
