What was your first love?

HiPo · Jan 28, 2015

First watch, at age 10 was a Timex. Still have it, runs like a champ. Currently own Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Tissot, Seiko ,Blancpain, Zenith, Gucci, Citizen etc. Love 'em all. Never sold a watch. Bought each one because I loved it! Gold Sub coming (1st gold watch) Next "grail", there's always a next, is a Patek. Here's but a few.

ulackfocus · Jan 28, 2015

dennisthemenace
I was given a Hoppalong Cassidy watch when I was seven. Swapped it for a bag of marbles.

Archer
Do you still have your marbles, or have you lost them? 😉

Could there be a better set-up than that? Perfect! 😜

Adri · Jan 28, 2015

Still a cool watch😁

Stewart H · Jan 28, 2015

For me, as a teenager in the mid 1970's I always had Timex, then Seiko or Casio - whatever Dad bought me but I always revered his Sunday best, Omega Chronostop (which he still has to this day) but in about 1977, I used to walk past a jewelers shop every day on my way to and from school and they had a gold Patek Philippe moonphase watch in their window. I don't remember the price but, at the time you could buy a pretty reasonable car for the same money. I was awe-struck. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen outside of the pages of certain "gentlemen's" magazines (I was a teenager - remember)

I used to stand in front of the shop, just looking at it, twice a day until one day, it wasn't there any more. I was crest-fallen and I have always vowed that, one day, I will own that watch but no matter how hard I look, I can't find one. It is what started my love of watches and until I find one, it will remain at the top of my target list.

flw · Jan 28, 2015

In high school I got a Pulsar two-tone on a Jubilee bracelet ... Sort of a Datejust lookalike. I loved it and wore it for quite a while. In college I got a summer job working for a jewelry chain store ... Nothing high end, but I began to be aware of the watch world more than before. Then my dad gave me his Omega, a Constellation I think, and I completely fell for the brand. I lost it shortly thereafter (to theft, I am convinced - I've posted about this story elsewhere on the forum), but I never forgot that watch, or the goal of one day owning an Omega. Now I do (and a Rolex Submariner), and I feel completely at home in the company of all you fine folks here in our virtual club.

Tire-comedon · Jan 28, 2015

Given to me by my dad when I was 7 or 8. Still mechanical, it was only 4 or 5 years later that LED quartz became the Watch to have.

flw · Jan 28, 2015

Tire-comedon
Given to me by my dad when I was 7 or 8. Still mechanical, it was only 4 or 5 years later that LED quartz became the Watch to have.

That is an amazing-looking watch ... I've never seen anything like it. What else can you tell us about it?

Emeister · Jan 28, 2015

Early to mid Seventies I had one of these

Remember shutting myself in my wardrobe as a little'un and just staring at the lume.

Would have sported a matching or clashing snake belt to hold up my flared corduroys in those days.

Tire-comedon · Jan 29, 2015

flw
That is an amazing-looking watch ... I've never seen anything like it. What else can you tell us about it?

Well, what to say? It is an advertising Watch for Matra Automobiles. I don't know if you know this French car manufacturer. F1 world champion with Jackie Stewart in 1969, La Mans winner in 72, 73 and 74.
Aside the competition sportscars, they also produced vehicles in Romorantin (first the Djet, then Jet, then M530, then Bagheera, then Murena & Rancho. After the assembled the Espace & Avantime for Renault), where I lived. My father worked for them and brought me back this 'montre de circuit' which was given to VIP invited to attend competition where Matra was running.
Crappy caliber, no more in working order, probably not the original strap anymore, but I love it. BTW mine was broken and lost many years ago, but I found another one of the same model a few years ago, and bought it.
Very small diameter (for reference the strap is 18mm) but perfect for a 8 year old boy.

flw · Jan 29, 2015

Tire-comedon
Well, what to say? It is an advertising Watch for Matra Automobiles. I don't know if you know this French car manufacturer. F1 world champion with Jackie Stewart in 1969, La Mans winner in 72, 73 and 74.
Aside the competition sportscars, they also produced vehicles in Romorantin (first the Djet, then Jet, then M530, then Bagheera, then Murena & Rancho. After the assembled the Espace & Avantime for Renault), where I lived. My father worked for them and brought me back this 'montre de circuit' which was given to VIP invited to attend competition where Matra was running.
Crappy caliber, no more in working order, probably not the original strap anymore, but I love it. BTW mine was broken and lost many years ago, but I found another one of the same model a few years ago, and bought it.
Very small diameter (for reference the strap is 18mm) but perfect for a 8 year old boy.

That is completely fascinating! I have never heard of Matra before, or any of the other details you so graciously provided. Sorry to hear that the watch no longer runs ... I remember a promotional "Star Wars" cheap digital watch I had when I was about the same age you were with this one. They weren't built to last. But aside from that, thanks for posting this. This is why I love spending time on the forum ... I learn all kinds of amazing things.

redpcar · Jan 29, 2015

Matra is a very common name in racing circles. Neat cars. When we talk LeMans history, I'm more of a Porsche guy 😉

Steering wheel watches are pretty common. Popular in the mid '70s. In the US, you see Corvette, Camaro, Cadillac, etc. Never seen a Matra before. The movements inside are inexpensive but still typically 17 jewel. VERY easy to fix.

What was your first love?

HiPo

ulackfocus

Adri

Stewart H

flw

Tire-comedon

flw

Emeister

Tire-comedon

flw

redpcar

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