The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Goodness, I don't think that I could get to one.

I have a hard time letting watches go - in fact I can't sell a watch that I have bought unless I specifically bought to sell.

I have a number of watches that I have been fortunate enough to acquire due to my circumstances, but that don't necessarily mean anything to me beyond an appreciation of them as a piece, but I also have pieces that are indicative of significant events in my life, significant people that I know / have known, etc. With those it becomes a lot more than just a watch, it becomes a memory and you can't put a price on memories.

I just hope that I never find myself in a position to have to decide.

Great question, though to me it's not about which to keep, but about selling as I have recently been contemplating selling my old Rolex that was one of my wedding presents from my in laws (from 1996).

I haven't worn it in 10 years or so, and now found it much too small to contemplate re-wearing it. My wife, who has the matching ladies Rolex and still wears it, told me to go ahead and sell it, as (obviously) there are so many others in my wish list (Airwolf Raven w Co-Pilot, DSSD, Pam 243 or 194, etc.).

But... it wouldn't be right, right? But it just sits in the safe! But what if I regret it?! But... but... AARGGHH!!

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a few Pams...

No one can tell you what to do, but.........

I have a number of watches that I haven't worn in a long time but that still bring wonderful memories back. I also have watches that I have strapped on for the first time in years and found a whole new appreciation for them.

H2F.. I think I just had an epileptic fit.

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PAM359M | PAM311L | PAM305L | PAM219M | PAM292K

No matter how many watches I acquire in my lifetime the one absolute guarantee is that I will never let go of my 1903. It means more to me than just a watch and has great memories attached to it.

Personally I'm not really going to be in the habit of acquiring to sell. I'll probably end up with a moderate collection of time pieces that have been carefully selected

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

I'll never sell my Colt GMT. I bought it as a gift to myself for finishing my MBA. I love my 112, but there has been times I've contemplated selling it.

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Justin
Please contact me via PM for the contact details for Govberg Jewelers
Govberg is an AD for over 50 fine Swiss and German watch brands.
Visit them on the web at http://www.govbergwatches.com or call 800-528-8463

I guess for me it would be my Montbrillant Legende. I wore it when I got married and I wore it when my youngest daughter was baptised - for those memories I could never sell it.

I have other watches that I have been hunting a long time before I finally got them, but they don't have any sentimental value so in the end I guess I really could let them go.

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

My Navitimer, so far my only proper watch, will stay with me forever. Wanted it for a long time, and it was my first. For good reasons! My next will probably be a Speedy Moonwatch, that I can't imagine selling. Allways wiewed those two as iconic watches that would be the foundation in a collection. After that, watches may come and go. Or not.

If I could only keep one: Doxa T-Graph Pro, the first one with triple registers. This was my first step up to an "expensive" (over $400) watch and I laboured over the decision for months. After scouring the net and looking at every watch out there, the T-Graph just had the look that pushed all my buttons. I bought it pre-owned and it felt like I was spending a fortune on it, it was a difficult decision to spend $2K on a watch. The day that it arrived, I poured a glass of brandy, sat down in front of the fire with my bracelet sizing tools, and opened the package... slowly. I was blown away. As I inspected it and savoured every moment, the phone rang and it was my Father's nurse. He had been battling prostate cancer for several months. She called to say that I should get over there asap if I wanted to say goodbye. I slipped the Doxa on and rushed to his side. I held his hand as he slipped away. The Doxa will be forever attached to this moment in my life, and therefore will never leave me.

If I could keep two: Breitling for Bentley Motors. On a trip to Venice with my wife, on our last pre-baby trip (at age 38), we dropped into a small shop in St. Marks square. I was of course wearing the Doxa. The shop owner was so kind, and was genuinely interested in the Doxa. While he examined it and we chatted, I examined the displays. Both my wife and I focussed right in on the same watch, the copper face Bentley Motors. I tried it on and fell instantly in love with it. My wife gave me the go ahead, and I inquired about the cost. The price quoted was quite good, but with fatherhood looming in the next year, I couldn't justify the cost, so I left it behind, although it never left my mind. A year and a half later, my Brother-in-law presented me with the watch as a gift to commemorate the birth of my daughter. It was, and still is, the most cherished gift I've received, next to my wife and healthy daughter of course.

Beyond these two, my Rolex Deepsea is high on the list, but if I came upon hard times, I would sell it. Family comes first.

Thanks for this post, as it caused me to sit and remember why these two watches mean so much to me.

Mark

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Personally, in my experience, I think that once you have contemplated selling a watch, that "bond" is already broken and there is legitimate reason to let it go. It is ulikely that you will regret the sale, especially if you replace it with something that excites you.

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oh by far my zenith!

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Pain is only weakness leaving the body.

I totally agree with is comment. My Le Mans was a real case in point on that front. Got it into my head to sell when I needed the cash for a little venture. The venture never properly took off and I was able to fund what I needed to elsewhere, so the Le Mans came off sale..... but the bond was broken. It was up for sale again (and sold) within weeks.

PS - Just wanted to say to both Mark and Alex - thanks for sharing such moving stories regarding your watches and their attachment to such emotional points in your lives.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

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Currently:
Avenger Skyland(Black)
Super Avenger(White)

Moved on:
Montbrillant Legende(Silver)
Panerai 312
SOHC 125th Ann. LE(Silver)
Navitimer World(Pearl)
Panerai 441

I think the difference w me was that when I was given the Rolex, I was not yet "into" watches. So even though that was the watch I wore for my wedding, it does not evoke the same memories.

On the other hand, concern for my future relationship w the in-laws who gave me it might be enough reason to just leave it in the safe for now...

But I'm telling u, the siren call of a PAM Submersible is getting REALLY strong..!

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a few Pams...

Ditto to that.
Thanks so much to Alex and Mark for sharing their thoughts with us on what must be a very difficult and emotional subject. Also thank you to everyone who has contributed to this thread.

Much appreciated guys,

Elwyn