Let's say you have to ditch your massive collection and exit this hobby with one (or a handful) of watches. What would it be?

 

This vintage Certina Bristol 235 manual wind...it belonged to my mom--interestingly, dad and mom both had the same exact watch when dating, but dad's got stolen when our home was burglarized many many years ago. Back in the olden days (1970's), this watch cost like 8 months salary as imported products were scarce and pricey in communist China...

 

Considering all I have... my WatchCo Seamaster 300. Super Luminova for lume, good quality movement maybe gains one second per day, all-new case and case parts....

This leaves behind my Seamaster Professional 2254.50 and my new Railmaster LE! Also other vintage Seamasters, a Lemania, Elgin Foch, even my dad's watch.

Given a choice I will take the core good stuff, some of it I could trade for ammunition.

Tom

 

I "exited" my overseas duty in '72 by treating myself to a good camera, tailored suits, a component stereo and a good watch.
The watch is all I have left and it will spend the rest of my days with me.

On my death bed, I'll sell it to my son.

 

Good one!

 

I will always love my first the most...watches, that is!

 

If it was down to one, it would be my beloved 6309-7049 that I purchased new in 1987 at the Naval Air Station Whiting Field Navy Exchange during primary pilot training...and I still have the original box(es) and papers.

Pic from a few minutes ago...

 

SKX009 and a 145.022-76.

both are very satisfying to wear. They both feel like old friends.

 

If I could save only one Omega from my small collection, that would be the Speedmaster 125.

All on it was dialed to 11: massive case, huge crystal, big dial, first automatic *chronometer* chronograph, integrated bracelet with bolts. The beautiful applied omega logo *and* name (i.e. the '125') shows that Omega wanted to create something futuristic and special.

The central hand for minutes (present in the caliber 1040/1041 and cal 1045) just feels so natural that makes other chronographs feel unintuitive and hard to read.

Have I mentioned that it also has the date?

The clever stacked register showing the AM/PM time is a useful and discrete complication on the same register used for seconds.

And it wears surprisingly well, given its massive size!

It is one of my favorite timepieces and it is getting harder to find one in a good state.

 

I'd say my Gigandet skin diver. The watch i fell in love with at first sight. From the perfectly sized sharp case to the exotic dial and the list goes on I find it perfectly balanced and it's the most mechanically sound within my whole collection.
This one's a keeper for sure and i'm quite intrigued on how she's gonna age with me and hopefully pass it one day to my boy or girl
Gotta replace those ill fitting endlinks though..

 

A nice mesh would be spiffy.

Tom

 

My inventory is smaller than the number of pieces that most would hold onto if they decided to stop being watch collectors. I guess these two 24-hour oddballs will be the last to go when I decide to prioritize feeding the family. I have a lot more Omegas than any other brand, but I suppose I'm just more attached to the two watches that got me started.

Early 70s Gallet chronograph


Early 60s Glycine Airman

 

I always go back to this one

 

I might have misunderstood. I thought this was a "sh-- hit the fan" exercise, not "I'm done trading watches"?

Tom

 

I’d be a bum on the street with a nice watch roll....

 

The bare minimum for me would be four but I am in the same camp as STANDY

White gold Moonphase, because it is the watch that I wore to my wedding.


2998, just because...


my 145.022-69 straight writing because I have had it longer than any other Speedy..


And the BM LE, as it is one of a kind

 

I read it two ways:
1. If the bailiffs come to my home, or worse, which watch do I hope is on my wrist and remains there after they’ve gone, or
2. If I’m lucky enough to wake up in ICU with sufficient cognitive function to tell the time, which watch would I Iike to have on my wrist......

In either circumstance, it’s the above Genève

 

For me - it would be these four (I have big hands)



And if it’s back from my watchmaker in time (off being serviced at the moment), then of course a Speedy too:




If its two, then my Speedy and the 5513... and if it’s only one, then the Speedy...

If I do go, I’ve asked my wife to make sure all my watches are buried with me, just to confuse future archaeologists...

 

Interesting choice!
May i ask why would you choose WatchCo vs. 2254 Seamaster 300m?

 

I already reduced my modest collection to 3 watches.
Its a Seamaster Chrono 145.016, PiePan Constellation 14381 and 2254 Seamaster 300m.
As a whole i think they compliment each other very well, as each one offers something completely different. They are all very comfortable to wear and are associated with a special occasion in my life.
I also love all three calibers 551, 861 and 1120, as i believe they are very durable and reliable and relatively easy to maintain. They are also very nice looking ones, sometimes i just open a caseback and stare at the movement (not the dive watch though)

However, if i had to choose only one, i would pick the 2254 Seamaster, as it is very practical and comfortable watch. Nice depth rating, perfect lume, rotating bezel, slim profile, date complication. The case is nicely finished, very accurate, has saphire christal, cool wave dial, and is not too blingy. i sometimes dislike the presence of the Helium valve and the crown often digs into my arm when i wear it on bracelet, but on ruber/leather strap it sits firm and light, i almost forget i wear a watch.
My choice: