Community Stories

The watch you almost loved... but ultimately couldn't.

Pascal S
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It's likely that we've all encountered the case of a watch that we really liked at first sight, but then quickly grew tired of. That's a common part of anyone's horological journey. But then there are these rarer cases that you stumble upon a watch that ticks all the boxes, except from one tiny detail. And despite our best effort to ignore it, this details becomes a genuine turn-off.

My example of this phenomenon was experienced with the Fortis Official Cosmonauts. In my past quest for Lemania 5100 chronographs, I had bought myself a clean example with the rotating pilot bezel, which I preferred to the fixed tachymeter scale. The overall finish of the watch was great, and it looked amazing on the wrist. I was really impressed at first, thinking that it might become one of my favorite Lemania 5100 chronos. How could it not to, especially given its space program creds?
IMG_2131C8B-PF.jpg IMG_2134C8-PF.jpg IMG_3031C8-PF.jpg

Sure, some might dispute the legibility of this dial, but I never felt it was an issue. The fat and generously lumed hands saw to that. Besides, as a chronograph, it still benefited from the Lemania 5100 signature chrono minute hand, which made it supremely legible. And yet, it is still this dial that I came to profoundly dislike for another reason: its complete flatness. I didn't really notice it at first, but under some angles of view it was impossible to miss.
IMG_3028C8-PF.jpg

This started to bother me a little, as it was the only chronograph in my stable to exhibit such a featureless surface. It kinda felt lazy and cheap, clashing with the overall feel of quality otherwise given by the rest of the watch. After a few months, I noticed that I was wearing this chronograph less and less. And every time I strapped it on, I was annoyed by what I saw as a Fortis own goal. Why didn't they make a bit more of an effort on the dial?

I tried to hang on to this chronograph for a while, but I just couldn't ignore that one detail that in my opinion spoiled the whole package. So I finally sold this watch, because I just couldn't get over the idea that it came so close to being near-perfect and yet wasn't.

So, do you fellas have similar examples of watches that came really close to being great in your views, and yet failed because of that one tiny detail that you simply couldn't ignore?
 
BAJJ
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I’ll chime in, I have just sold my Speedmaster 3861, with hesalite crystal. There is everything to love about this watch, the stepped dial, the recessed subdials, the sharp case, the 3861 calibre, the history etc. etc. I purchased new in May 2022, from an AD and I have spent the last 2 years trying to persuade myself that I like it, I mean everyone loves a speedy don’t they, what’s wrong with me? But, with the monochrome dial and the flat bezel they seem to merge into one another to create this big flat black saucer and I just don’t like it.
1000096580.jpeg
So it stays in the watch box most of the time, occasionally coming out for a new attempt at pretending to love it. I recently realised that this will never happen so I decided to move it in to someone who will appreciate it. As to what will fill its place in the watch box, I’ll start with this and see what comes next.
F510E9A4-B7D9-429E-8871-2AD6A0384502.jpeg
 
dsio
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I used to travel a lot, and really liked the idea of a GMT-Master, so bought the Rolex Batman GMT at a pretty good price. I wore that watch 2 times maybe 3. Every time I decided to put it on it was a fiddly and annoying process to set GMT time with it as well as the date and compared to the ease of a Speedmaster or Daytona it just became a hassle not worth having. Ended up letting it go to a mate for about what I paid for it and he made a decent profit on it a year later.

I never even took it traveling as I didn’t keep it long enough.

IMG_3718.jpeg
 
Waltesefalcon
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Chronographs. There are several I've found attractive but none that have made me seriously consider one. I did briefly but a Seiko 6139, but that watch left a sour taste for Sekio in my mouth.
 
Larry S
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That would be this watch. I was very excited to get it but it just left me cold. Never wore it and broke even on the sale. A win.
IMG_6975.jpeg
 
PatinaPete
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For me, it's the Oris. It's just, a smidge too small, hard to read, I don't know... but I never fell in love.

IMG_4826.jpeg
 
MtnMarine
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This was my first “speedmaster”. I kept it for almost 2 years trying to dress it up/down, and it just never felt right. I got my money back out of the watch, but lost the $750 I paid to have it serviced by Omega. Good learning lesson.

IMG_0986.jpeg


Edit: disregard the fake omega band it came with.
 
Evitzee
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I'm long past collecting vintage watches and the fickleness and difficulty of keeping them serviced. But I thought I should have an early model of the Speedmaster in the collection, so in 2019 I picked up a slightly used Trilogy 1957 Speedmaster, a pretty faithful rendition of the CK2915 of 1957. But in the five years of owning it I found I wasn't wearing it much, it was usually passed over for one of my other Speedmasters. I finally decided I just don't like Broad Arrow hands, small Alpha sub-counter hands, and the steel bezel of the early years. It's the historical look, but I just don't care for the overall look. Sold it last week for just about what I had in it. Moving on.
Omega+Speedmaster+Trilogy+Limited+Edition+PO+083024+(1+of+10).jpg

The well regarded dealer I sold it to has already listed it on the Sales Forum, if you are looking for a super nice condition Trilogy this is a fine example. It's no longer my watch and I have no dog in the hunt, just commenting on the condition of the watch if someone is looking for one of these.
https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-speedmaster-1957-trilogy-311-10-39-30-01-001-excellent-complete.176145/ Cover Image
Thread 'Omega Speedmaster 1957 Trilogy - 311.10.39.30.01.001 ( excellent / complete )' ·
Up for sale is an excellent condition Omega Speedmaster 1957 Trilogy 38.6mm, reference # 311.10.39.30.01.001 It comes complete with all boxes, papers, booklets, hang tag, travel pouch with extra...
FSOT
$ 7450 USD
mdgrwl ·
Edited:
 
watch_my_six
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I flip-flopped on the blue Seamaster 300 almost instantly. It seemed great in theory, but it just never sang to me on the wrist / in my possession. Also, the NTTD I do still have, which I've certainly liked for a year or so but have just never loved, so I am now selling it!

IMG_1400.jpeg IMG_2396.jpeg
 
JwRosenthal
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That would be my early 00’s Tag Carrera. A friend of mine was wearing it and I was smitten- had to have it! I traded him for it and over the course of the next 15 years I probably wore it 10 times. Every time I would put it on I was excited, but within hours I couldn’t wait to take it off. It was thickk with two k’s! On the factory bracelet which was very slim it would flop around since the head was so heavy.
A close friend of mine loved it and would comment on the rare occasion he would see me wearing it. I finally gave it to him- I figured give it to someone who would love it and not just sit in my watch drawer
Happily on his wrist now.
IMG_2587.jpeg
Edited:
 
SOG53
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BAJJ BAJJ
I’ll chime in, I have just sold my Speedmaster 3861, with hesalite crystal. There is everything to love about this watch, the stepped dial, the recessed subdials, the sharp case, the 3861 calibre, the history etc. etc. I purchased new in May 2022, from an AD and I have spent the last 2 years trying to persuade myself that I like it, I mean everyone loves a speedy don’t they, what’s wrong with me? But, with the monochrome dial and the flat bezel they seem to merge into one another to create this big flat black saucer and I just don’t like it.
1000096580.jpeg
So it stays in the watch box most of the time, occasionally coming out for a new attempt at pretending to love it. I recently realised that this will never happen so I decided to move it in to someone who will appreciate it. As to what will fill its place in the watch box, I’ll start with this and see what comes next.
F510E9A4-B7D9-429E-8871-2AD6A0384502.jpeg

BAJJ BAJJ
I’ll chime in, I have just sold my Speedmaster 3861, with hesalite crystal. There is everything to love about this watch, the stepped dial, the recessed subdials, the sharp case, the 3861 calibre, the history etc. etc. I purchased new in May 2022, from an AD and I have spent the last 2 years trying to persuade myself that I like it, I mean everyone loves a speedy don’t they, what’s wrong with me? But, with the monochrome dial and the flat bezel they seem to merge into one another to create this big flat black saucer and I just don’t like it.
1000096580.jpeg
So it stays in the watch box most of the time, occasionally coming out for a new attempt at pretending to love it. I recently realised that this will never happen so I decided to move it in to someone who will appreciate it. As to what will fill its place in the watch box, I’ll start with this and see what comes next.
F510E9A4-B7D9-429E-8871-2AD6A0384502.jpeg
The 6139 "Cevert" is a wonderful watch I reach for it way more than many other "nicer" options- I have 3, 69, 70, and 71, and I prefer the "beater" 71- hope you enjoy it!
IMG_1380.jpeg
 
BAJJ
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Thank you @SOG53 , I have been looking for one for a little while, originally a yellow Pogue but honestly I think the ‘Cevert’ will be a better choice, I think they ooze 70’s charm
 
iamvr
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Any fancy lug watch. They look great on pictures and other people‘s wrists but never seem to do on mine…

img_3669.jpeg IMG_5450.jpeg
 
Dan S
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Speedmaster Professional "Moonwatch". ::stirthepot::

It's probably an overstatement to say that they "leave me cold," but it's a bit hard for me to understand why the forum is so preoccupied with them. When I first joined, I got caught up in the fever and added a bunch of them to my collection. Now most of them are gone and I rarely wear the others.
Edited:
 
Waltesefalcon
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iamvr iamvr
Any fancy lug watch. They look great on pictures and other people‘s wrists but never seem to do on mine…

img_3669.jpeg IMG_5450.jpeg
Dibs
 
Pascal S
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Dan S Dan S
Speedmaster Professional "Moonwatch". ::stirthepot::

It's probably an overstatement to say that they "leave me cold," but it's a bit hard for me to understand why the forum is so preoccupied with them. When I first joined, I got caught up in the fever and added a bunch of them to my collection. Now most of them are gone and I rarely wear the others.
It's quite funny that, in my specific case, the Moonwatch was actually the antithesis to the topic of this thread. I just couldn't find any real attraction to this watch. I knew of its history, of its achievements, and yet it simply didn't speak to me. It felt kind of bland, so I just thought that it simply wasn't the watch for me.

Then I had my epiphany. I visited a semi-retired watchmaker, and on his workshop were 3 vintage Speedmaster Professional chronos, and right there, with the light shining on them, they just looked fantastic. In the blink of an eye, everything that seemed to have been turn-offs in the past were transformed into qualities. I cannot really explain why, but at that point in time the Speedy looked "just right" to me. And it hasn't changed since.

But tastes change over time, and one example that illustrates this very well, and fits within the topic of this thread, is my very first expensive watch: a ref. 81610 Breitling Old Navitimer I bought new in 1988, spending pretty much all my savings of the time on it. Not only it was still the 80s, but I was still living in the place where I spent most of my youth, the Principality of Monaco. This is why bling was pretty much commonplace, and I ended up with this:
breitlingnavitimer34l.jpg breitlingnavitimerdial.jpg

Gold bezel, and gold colored registers... seeing this today, I can't help wondering "what the heck was I thinking"? And yet, I loved this watch to bits and wore it regularly for well over a decade. It was my watch, and it was perfect. Except that it was not. Despite my evolution towards more understated things over the years, I might actually have been able to go past the flamboyant appearance of this Breitling except for one tiny detail that gradually started bothering me every time I was brave enough to wear it: the date register. Why on earth did they have to make it golden? From minor gripe, this feature gradually turned into a major source of irritation. In my mind, it was really the straw that broke the camel's back, which ultimately led me to sell this watch despite the tons of memories I had attached to it.
 
PatinaPete
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428
Pascal S Pascal S
It's quite funny that, in my specific case, the Moonwatch was actually the antithesis to the topic of this thread. I just couldn't find any real attraction to this watch. I knew of its history, of its achievements, and yet it simply didn't speak to me. It felt kind of bland, so I just thought that it simply wasn't the watch for me.

Then I had my epiphany. I visited a semi-retired watchmaker, and on his workshop were 3 vintage Speedmaster Professional chronos, and right there, with the light shining on them, they just looked fantastic. In the blink of an eye, everything that seemed to have been turn-offs in the past were transformed into qualities. I cannot really explain why, but at that point in time the Speedy looked "just right" to me. And it hasn't changed since.

But tastes change over time, and one example that illustrates this very well, and fits within the topic of this thread, is my very first expensive watch: a ref. 81610 Breitling Old Navitimer I bought new in 1988, spending pretty much all my savings of the time on it. Not only it was still the 80s, but I was still living in the place where I spent most of my youth, the Principality of Monaco. This is why bling was pretty much commonplace, and I ended up with this:
breitlingnavitimer34l.jpg breitlingnavitimerdial.jpg

Gold bezel, and gold colored registers... seeing this today, I can't help wondering "what the heck was I thinking"? And yet, I loved this watch to bits and wore it regularly for well over a decade. It was my watch, and it was perfect. Except that it was not. Despite my evolution towards more understated things over the years, I might actually have been able to go past the flamboyant appearance of this Breitling except for one tiny detail that gradually started bothering me every time I was brave enough to wear it: the date register. Why on earth did they have to make it golden? From minor gripe, this feature gradually turned into a major source of irritation. In my mind, it was really the straw that broke the camel's back, which ultimately led me to sell this watch despite the tons of memories I had attached to it.
Like that strap
 
JwRosenthal
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44,545
Dan S Dan S
Speedmaster Professional "Moonwatch". ::stirthepot::

It's probably an overstatement to say that they "leave me cold," but it's a bit hard for me to understand why the forum is so preoccupied with them. When I first joined, I got caught up in the fever and added a bunch of them to my collection. Now most of them are gone and I rarely wear the others.
I wore my 16750 GMT to the first Mid-Altantic Omega Forums members GTG. What a real pilot’s watch should look like 💩
 
bsowers34
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528
IMG_4859.webp
Probably this one. The bracelet is too big for my wrist, and I don't like straps. Might be on the block soon to pay for the new FOIS. I thought I'd want to get rid of my hesalite 3861, but it has grown on me...
Edited:
 
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