Great thread as always @MtV, many thanks for starting it.

2023 was a very busy watch year for me, against my resolution by the end of 2022 to slow down (I didn't believe it myself lol). One reason I'm late to the game was the fact that I couldn't decide how many of my acquisitions to show, but here we go.

1) Seamaster 2577 with a golfball dial
The year started very well. I missed out on an example over two years ago, and when this opportunity came up in February on a local auction site, I was prepared to go all in and won. It took me the rest of the year to find a donor watch for the correct second hand.



2) My potential exit Speedmaster: Ed White 105.003-63
The last purchase of the year was equally a lucky punch. Throughout the year I had already bought three Speedmasters, which obviously had eaten the bulk of my watch budget, but in early December this perfect Ed White turned up. If it weren't for the prior outlays, it would have been a nobrainer, but I was hesitating, almost prepared to let it slide last minute. However, my personal Speedy influencer @Aludic convinced me to sell a kidney and go for it. It's currently away for service. Will post more pictures when it's back. If all goes well, I might seriously consider selling all my other Speedmasters and just keep this one.



3) The Other Chronographs
Inspired by @seekingseaquest stunning vintage chronograph collection, I also added a few to my collection. In fact, he sourced most of them for me lol, so many thanks again, Phil. Examples of his generous tip-offs are the following Gallet Multichron with EP40 movement and the mint Lemania 27CH.



The cherry on the cake in this category was my second last purchase of the year, a stunning Lemania 15TL with a gilt dial. I bought it from a dealer on IG, so it wasn't cheap, but worth every cent. Many thanks again @cristos71 for the real-time price negotiation coaching to bring her home.



4) Wait... no Constellations this year?
Of course I also added Constellations, but admittedly dedicated less attention to the line being sidetracked elsewhere. Will refocus in 2024. I have no clear winner here, so posting all three (allow me to include the Centenary here as a pre-Constellation).


Many thanks to @MtV for passing on the Deluxe Constellation to me!

 

@omegawatchlover ,
Congrats on the Arctic Mystery Speedy!!
It looks lovely, and please do share more info and pictures!!

 

I am really happy to have bought these.

 

Bernhard, I forget if I've called dibs yet, but if you decide to sell that Coronado I would certainly be interested in it.

 

It's got to be these two. An Eberhard UFO with a luminous dial/handset and a very beautiful Quartz watch that looks fairly similar to the Platinum Patek Philippe that sold during last Octber's Monaco Legend auction. I don't know what's the story behind it but I really love the look and the bracelet!

 

Some beauties here!

Can I call DIBS on any of these if you decide you want to let them go!

 

This has seen a lot of wrist time.

 

My 2023 top favorite acquisition would be this WatchCo.

 

My favourite watch is the one I’m posting about. I inherited it from my father who passed away in 2021.
Unfortunately, I don’t know much about it apart from: 1946 universal geneve tank, 1309540 10629.
I hope you like it as much as I do. Any additional information would be appreciate.

 

A bit late with my response here... 2023 was an interesting year, I must say. I sold a lot of my "smaller" watches but bought a few more "expensive" ones (to my budget).

All in all, I'm quite satisfied on the state of my collection. So, here are the notable arrivals of 2023:

1. Eterna
I always liked the caliber 852 watches... Great sizes (37mm), loud ticking, great power reserve, and a pleasure to wind up in the morning. The creamy dial one is probably one of my favourite acquisitions of the year

Also added a black Kontiki to compliment my silver dial one


2. Longines - Wittnauer
I'm happy to have found a Silver Arrow / Silvergines that I was looking for quite some times (My first of 2024 is actually another one too!)

To complete my Conquest obsession, I found this nice All Guard black dial one while I was visiting my sister in California... Saving on some import taxes at the same time.

While I was there, I also was lucky to get this little nice Wittnauer chrono from one of our OF members

For this one, I was viciously tricked by one of our dear OF members to buy it from him... He will recognise himself!


3. JLC
One of my favourite watches of the year is my Memovox E855... I was looking for a nice piece for more than 2 years, and pull the trigger on this one


4. Universal Genève
Added a nice rose gold Uni-Compax chronograph also coming from one of our dear OF members

This last one is a special one as it was gifted to me by one of our OF member whom I met when I was in California. I hadn't worn it until recently as I hadn't find a strap I liked to pair it with, but mainly as I only got it serviced last month. A really special piece that will stay in the collection


Edit: forgot one!
5. Zodiac
A black dial Seawolf with a super comfy bracelet

 

art deco power!

 

Also a bit late with my response. For me 2023 was an intriguing and challenging watch year as I broke my own psychological limits as they pertained to price boundaries. I sold a lot of "minor" watches from the collection and ended up buying a series of watches more suited to my interests - it will be intriguing to see where this takes me in 2024.

Not in the incoming order:

1. Aquastar Benthos 500, with a difficult to find blue dial so was happy that I fell over this.



2. Doxa 1967 and the 1st Iteration of the SUB 300T thin case



3. The BA 145.022-69 which had been on my radar for more than a few years but cost has been prohibitive, then a dear friend offered it up for a few watch trades and some funds. I feel very grateful.


4. RAAF Longines G6b/158. #125 back home in Australia where it was born



5. Smiths W10 because I love these dials

 

Dibs not that aquastar! I've never seen one in that good of condition!

 

What a beautiful selection, I will upload mine tomorrow