The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi All,

I've got a rare free day today. No work, no chores, no gardening, no DIY, no nieces or nephews to look after and I'm not looking after my Dad today. Let me also take this opportunity to thank every one who has offered their thoughts and best wishes for my Dad. He is doing remarkably well and continues to be an inspiration for me. I take him to the gym once a week. We had a brilliant and poignant Father's day celebration with him and the rest of the family yesterday.

So, I thought I'd take this opportunity to update you on the direction my collection has taken in the last 6 months or so.

As some of you may recall at the beginning of last December my collection looked like this:

Panerai 112
Rolex Sub C
Rolex Milgauss
Omega Plo Prof
Breitling Montbrillant Olympus
Tissot Racing Touch
Vintage Zenith Classic
Graham Chronofighter Oversize GMT

Unlike others on here I do not intend to hold onto any of my watches forever. I regret a few of the 40-odd high end watches I've traded/sold in the past but not many.

All of these have now gone!

My current collection now consists of the following:

The already announced Paneria 275. I appreciate Paneria is not to every one's taste but I love them and, in my opinion, this is the one to have (other than the ludicrously priced tourbillon models, of course). I absolutely adore this watch. It is stunning to look at, comfy to wear and has an amazing in-house 8-days, GMT, Monopulsante movement. What more could you ask for?






The next oldest addition to my collection is the utterly stupendous, exquisite and covetable Zenith El Primero Flying 10th Limited Edition (1969 made). I wanted one of these as soon I saw them. I loved the unique movement which made full use of the famous El Primero movement. I also liked the fact that it looked almost identical to the original 1969 El Primero (one of the most historically signifacant watches ever). I thought I had no chance of owning one but I was lucky enough to find one brand new at an AD. They took the Plo Prof as trade in (for what I originally paid for it) and offered a decent discount. I may contradict myself here because I hope to own this for ever. I love it and cannot think of any other watch as desirable for the money. The striking 10th chronograph movement is unique and fascinating to view when running.





Finally I was offered two exceptional Japanese watches recently at incredible prices. The Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph Limited Edition (300 made), which contains the same movement as the one that went to space in the Seiko Space Walk, and the Seiko Spring Drive Moon Phase Limited Edition (200 made), which won design awards upon its release. As you all know from my extensive reviews I absoloutely love the Spring Drive movement. Sure it has a quartz regulator but the chronograph GMT version in the watch below has 50 jewels and over 400 components. This makes it a mechanical watch in my view. Add to this the fact they are completely in-house, they both run at about +/- 1 second per week and the flawlessly smooth gliding seconds hand is mezmerising to behold and I am super happy with both of these.












In addition I have added a Seiko Velatura Direct Drive as a beater. This is a very great looking and clever watch. And all in-house again.




Some may question me selling some of the watches I quoted above but I have done the whole Rolex thing, The Plo Prof was never comfortable, I was offered more for my Monty Olly than I paid for it and the uniqueness of the Graham trigger had worn out.

Who knows where I'll be with my collection in a years time. However, for now I am delighted with every one of these exceptional, in-house and interesting timepieces.




As always your comments and personal perspectives are always welcome.

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Forum Representative for Andrew Michaels Jewellers, UK

Please visit my Watch Blog at http://www.AndrewMichaels.co.uk

******Our new Pre-owned watch site www.amjwatches.co.uk is now live*****

Great to hear your father is doing so well, this is wonderful news, Ricardo.

Probably not a surprise to you - LOVE that Zenith - a perfect rebirth of an iconic watch, beautiful !
(and, as it has no Big date complication, will hopefully spend more time on your wrist than in service or transit)

Thank You Fred.

I read with interest the comments that were made by others on Altair's post when he announced his in-coming Zenith.

My Striking 10th has performed flawlessly. It is super accurate, at about +2 seconds per day. The chronogpraph resets to zero perfectly every time. The date function changes instantaneously and exactly 1 minute past midnight.

I couldn't be happier.

Interestingly, as part of the deal I managed to get, I will receive my first service on the watch free of charge. Is this general practice on the Striking 10th? Is it possibly a reflection of the issues others have mentioned?

_________________
Forum Representative for Andrew Michaels Jewellers, UK

Please visit my Watch Blog at http://www.AndrewMichaels.co.uk

******Our new Pre-owned watch site www.amjwatches.co.uk is now live*****

Fantastic news about your dad's recovery Rick, and that's what really matters of course - just went through my first father's day without my dad and it brings it home all the more.

That's a nice collection that you have there, and the Zenith is a nice piece - I really like the brand, and I'm even a lover of the Defys, but my experiences have put me off. To be fair, it's not so much the problems with the watch - any brand can have that occur, more the fact that it takes about 5 months to turn it around (and usually less than 5 months for it to break again). Hopefully you'll have no such problems.

I had the Striking 10th for a while and appear in the minority here. While I could appreciate the technology, it seems I am destined to more pedestrian pieces as I just could not get used to the herky-jerky movement of the chrono second hand - the very feature that makes it special. The fella I sold it to, however, evidently loved it and sent me texts for weeks after receiving it. At least the watch found its way to someone who could appreciate it. The watch is special, but I am simply ordinary.

Congrats on your new additions.

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SHARKMAN

Great to hear that things are going well with your father and, as Roff says, that's really the only thing that counts.

I have to say, I'm surprised at how heavily Seiko is represented in your collection! The watch that takes the cake, in my opinion, is the LE Moon Phase - that watch is absolutely beautiful. The fit and finish is superb and is about as desirable as a watch gets.

I don't very much like PAMs, nor do I like the "over the top" Seiko chronos and the Zenith is just a *bit* too 70's for me - I'd say that moon phase is the winner all around!

Wear them in good health.

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“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

To echo the others - fantastic news about your father Ricardo - I sincerely hope he continues to make swift progress and hopefully eventually a full recovery.

Nice work on the collection as well. I've always LOVED the 275, and the Zenith is a really beauty as well. Also while the Seikos aren't my "thing" - I'm just not a fan of the Japanese style - I can completely appreciate the quality, innovation and workmanship.

Just one thing though - I'm really surprised you found the Ploprof uncomfortable. I've been wearing one quite a bit recently and I've personally found it to be incredibly comfortable : I guess that really shows how much is down to wrist size/shape.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Superb collection, I love that Zenith! Glad to hear you had a great Father's Day!

[quote="Roffensian"]Fantastic news about your dad's recovery Rick, and that's what really matters of course - just went through my first father's day without my dad and it brings it home all the more.

[./quote]

So sorry to hear this Roff.

My belated condolences to you and your family.

Take care.

Rick.

_________________
Forum Representative for Andrew Michaels Jewellers, UK

Please visit my Watch Blog at http://www.AndrewMichaels.co.uk

******Our new Pre-owned watch site www.amjwatches.co.uk is now live*****

There's no accounting for taste....especially with wierdos like you Sharky.

_________________
Forum Representative for Andrew Michaels Jewellers, UK

Please visit my Watch Blog at http://www.AndrewMichaels.co.uk

******Our new Pre-owned watch site www.amjwatches.co.uk is now live*****

Thanks Ian,

I do like a lot that Seiko has to offer, and I can get them at great prices...well, the ones we stock anyway They ae still fairly misunderstood in the UK. Most people think they only offer £100 to £500 quartz models. I love seeing the look on customers faces when I show them the £20000 Seiko Space Walk, which I love talking about.

The Spring Drive Moonphase LE is gorgeous. I find it very calming to wear as well. I love it.

BTW, Happy Birthday. Hope you have a great day.

_________________
Forum Representative for Andrew Michaels Jewellers, UK

Please visit my Watch Blog at http://www.AndrewMichaels.co.uk

******Our new Pre-owned watch site www.amjwatches.co.uk is now live*****

Thanks for your kind words Mr Driver.

As you know the Plo Prof has a serated caseback to allow good grip on a divers wet/dry suit. I have a bout 10% body fat. As such my knuckles stick out. The rough, hard edge used to literally rub the skin off after only short periods of wearing it. I went mountain biking in it one day and it caused blistering and bleeding.

It was a massive shame because it was my favourite Omega by far. I loved it.

_________________
Forum Representative for Andrew Michaels Jewellers, UK

Please visit my Watch Blog at http://www.AndrewMichaels.co.uk

******Our new Pre-owned watch site www.amjwatches.co.uk is now live*****

Thanks JAH. Much appreciated.

_________________
Forum Representative for Andrew Michaels Jewellers, UK

Please visit my Watch Blog at http://www.AndrewMichaels.co.uk

******Our new Pre-owned watch site www.amjwatches.co.uk is now live*****

LOVE the zenith, seiko aren't my thing but as driver has already said, I can appreciate the appeal and craftsmanship. Wish I had known the olly was up for grabs, could well have been tempted!
Most importantly, very pleased your dad is doing well.

Jim

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Breitling navitimer super constellation LE
Omega Ploprof 1200m
Bremont supermarine
Rolex milgauss GV
Olivant and Botsford 40mm Gold edition

Thanks Jimbob.

If I hear of a nice second hand Mony Olly I'll let you know.

_________________
Forum Representative for Andrew Michaels Jewellers, UK

Please visit my Watch Blog at http://www.AndrewMichaels.co.uk

******Our new Pre-owned watch site www.amjwatches.co.uk is now live*****