In my short time following this site, the concept of reshaping my watch collection seemed to become more plausible. Not long after, my long-time watch guy in town got an NOS Panerai from the local AD. I walked in, not really having as much interest in Panerai, and left with the watch on a return visit. Encouraged by the buying and selling that goes on here in a more comfortable environment than "out there" I felt encouraged that I could sell something in my collection to offset some of the new investment. From that grew the realization many of you have stated, maybe a reflection of the times, that I'd rather have fewer watches, homing in on the ones I haven't had that I really wanted.
The next change in the collection I blame fully and completely on this site. As I have posted elsewhere, the Steelfish was not on my radar because Breitling divers were not on my radar. I hadn't revisited that issue in a while. The incredible photography here convinced me that I needed to see them up close. That, and the fact that they are now discontinued, was enough for me. Another unplanned but wonderful purchase.
Finally, I came to the conclusion that I truly wanted to thin the herd to, say, four good automatic timepieces. I might keep a nice quartz if I could swing it. I had sold a couple of watches by now and the experience with the members here was first class. So I went off in search of the Breitling I have wanted from the beginning, nine years ago, but never had--a Navitimer. I had come close over the years to settling on one, only to waffle on the decision. With a new Panerai, traditional black face, and a new blue Steelfish, I needed a silver/white Navi. With the size of these two, I also wanted a larger size than the traditional 41mm.
I went to the AD, took a look at new and used, focusing on used for a Navi. I stared long and hard at the last CSO in the store, distracted again. Same with a Skyracer and a nice Evo. I backed away and visited a second AD, who had just gotten in a silver Navitimer Heritage, traded and back from BUSA service. This, finally, after nine years, was it.
And so, after a wild sixty days of complete reconstruction of my collection, here's what I ended up with:
Three icons in the Navi, GMT and Panerai, and one which is destined to become one, if not already, in the Steelfish.
I've got some watches to sell now, and will post them in a few days. Right now, I'm reflecting on how I got here (which is also why the pics are not great--always better in daytime) I couldn't be happier (well, maybe if I could keep one or two of what I have to sell) and the encouragement to do this came from all of you at Breitling Source. Thanks.
) It's fun downsizing isn't it.
, well for a time being anyway 
