What were your favorite acquisitions in 2023 (watches)?

Easy pick for me: a gifted 1952 Omega Seamaster bumper heirloom that I received in early September. I joined here a few weeks or so later and that started a feverishly-paced jump into the deep end of the watch pool.

The 1952 Seamaster

This watch is currently being serviced (sent in October). I’m sure it’ll be on my list next year.

The Wittnauer and the Waltham

Also gifted heirlooms, I’ll turn my attention to them in 2024.

The De Villes
I purchased two Omega De Villes. I’ll keep the winder on BoR. I love how it wears. The gold capped has a beauty of a dial but may find its way to another owner as my tastes have refined a bit since beginning this journey.



The Bucherer
One of my favorite additions to my young collection…



The Austins
As Christmas approached, I found and added 5 Austin watches, all Swiss made movements. Unique gifts for my family (and myself).



The Microbrands
Along with the old, I picked up a Dan Henry 1964 panda dial which is a dream to wear. My wife also received a Dan Henry and I acquired a Lorier Falcon III and a Baltic Aquascaphe GMT as gifts for my sons.




Along the way, I picked up a Lucerne pin lever diver (which I’m also fond of) and a couple of Seikos.



My focus and tastes have modified a bit on this fast-paced journey and I’m likely to, as one member suggested, “shop my collection for a while”.

I am grateful for the friendships I have made here and am thankful for you all. Here’s to a great 2024! May you all be blessed and wear your collection pieces in great health!

One watch bought 2023 so it has to be my favourite... Swedish military issued artillery chronograph. With strap-contraption to be worn on outside of clothes. The hands are blued but it does not show very much in the pictures.

Just the two for me in 23. First courtesy of @MtV , a 70's Seiko 6139. I love these Seiko chronographs. Second, another Seiko, this time a new reissue of the original Seiko 5, I do like these early style Seiko's and they get a lot of time on the wrist.

There are 3 watches for me in 2023.

The Tissot T-Race MotoGP: I’m a biker!



NTTD:




And the Spectre:

I bought way too much in the first half of the year and then spent the last half selling down. Here are some of my favorite pick ups..

My first Omega 33.3 (2393 ref)


A couple Breitling chronos (747 clamshell, 769 Chronomat)


An alpha hand Datejust (1601 ref):


An Omega 30t2scrg (2367 ref)

A few had to go, but I couldn’t resist these. Only 150 salmon dials exist.

2023 has been an intense "watch year" for me. Lots of buying (watches and spare parts, another bad habit...) and some (small) mistakes.
I'm still learning, trying, having a lot of "that's for me" and some "maybe it wasn't " after. I'm kind a teenager when it comes to watches 😁

1 - Omega Speedmaster 145.012-67 "Mexican"
Nice ref, really cool watch, glossy dial and with a rare Mexican JM bracelet. Bought online without having it in hands first, not in a good enough condition for me at the end. Sold.




2 - Jenny Super Submarino "Tropical"
Looks fun with a tropical dial. My first "why not" online buying of the year, when I can't sleep, scrolling on my phone... Lesson learned : think twice and wait for the morning. Sold.




3 - Omega Speedmaster 145.022-69 "Chocolate tropical"
Super cool with its chocolate tropical dial. I really enjoy its dial, especially during the sunny days. That's a keeper for sure!




4 - Omega Speedmaster 145.022-69 Straight writing.
At first, nice dial and reference, first family owner, correct price but wrong bezel (not a big deal as it's easy to make it right) and stuck caseback. That's ok to take a risk and make a deal. At the end, it appears to be one of the "factory swapped movement". I learned it from Darren later (thanks man for the knowledge btw!), so be careful with this reference. Sold.




5 - Omega Geneve Racing Grand Sport "Prototype"
Really cool and fun watch. It's a "prototype" dial (automatic and no t), I'm not sure the watch was issued with it. I had another dial like this one, bought alone that I sold to a friend, so I had to buy this complete watch when I saw it! That's a keeper!




6 - Omega Japanese Constellation.
Maybe not the "perfect" Connie reference, but it's a lovely, not expensive and nice looking watch! And its condition is great. That's a keeper!




7 - Omega Seamaster 300 165.024
I love this reference and liked this watch. But at the end, it wasn't in a good enough condition for me.
You saw the listing here. I need to buy a better one soon! Sold.




8 - Omega 2374 bumper
I was looking for a donor watch because of a beautiful salmon dial I found... A project watch for 2024. Can't wait to see the result!




9 - Oris 60s Explorer (or Pre 65?).
One of my "why not" watches when I'm scrolling on my phone. I didn't learn my lesson... but I like it this time!
I have to service it, but not a priority for now.




10 - Lanco Barracuda.
Another "why not" watch, scrolling at night on my phone. The dial is beautiful, very well made, the case Is fat.
I have to find original hands and see if the bezel can be fix. A project watch for 2024.




11 - Omega Speedmaster 105.012-66 CB.
(Almost) perfect condition, perfect patina, eggplant bezel, perfect reference... I'm so glad I found it. I'm in love the this one! That's a keeper!

2023 was a good year overall, full of amazing finds. Here are my favourite picks:

1 - Universal Genève Stone dial set of six gold watches.



2 - Heuer Carrera 45 ref. 3647N.

3 - Heuer Bundeswehr Flyback chronograph ref. 1550 SG.

4 - Lemania TG195 for the Swedish Armed Forces.

5 - Omega Speedmaster "Ultraman" ref. 145.012-67 SP

6 - Omega Seamaster Chronograph 145.006-66



7 - Watchmaking School of Solothurn with a Clamshell case and Valjoux 23.



I wish you all a wonderful new year, full of joy, prosperity and wonderful watches. 😀

Best regards.

Stefan.

Great thread Matt. 2023 was the absolute best! I focused more on vintage and on condition. I can’t figure out how to write captions for pics 🤨

Pic 1: I am quite surprised at myself for buying gold. I think I’ll continue to in 2024. I owned a similar DJ in 2021 and am very happy to have one again! The grey dial is the best. This time it’s a hacking seconds too woohoo

Pic 2: These are big boys! After the 1675, I thought I’d cool off making another big purchase but I lied 😲 I got caught in a bidding war and won a speedmaster. I’m delaying work to be done on it because that will take money out of my watch “budget.”
Merry Christmas @hansaboy, I am the winner of the mystery speedy. 😁

Pic 3: A wonderful hobnail from May. The gold capped case it came in was poor so I got a SS case for it. I’m no Dr. Frankenstein I swear! This is the first time I’ve done it.

Only one for 2023...been chasing this one for years.

Was lucky to source this one locally for a F2F deal.