Major Shakeup coming to my collection (This Tues)

[brmeyers]

A New Beginning
After much thought and reflection, countless hours on this forum, reading and watching reviews, etc...
AND having fun shopping at a couple ADs for Rolex, AP and PP,
I have decided to cash in my "All Rolex" collection for something new, something fresh. Something unexpected.

Past 8 years journey
Over the past 8 years, I have owned 9 Rolexes - 2 SS Subs, 2 TT Subs, a WG Sub, SS Daytona, Pepsi, DSSD, and a Exp II.
RG YM didn't stay long enough to count. Though you could say 10.

I still love Rolex, but I am desiring something new and fresh. Honestly, I have not been excited with my Rolexes as of late, not because I dislike Rolex, no far from it...
Its because I have been a Rolex company man for 8 years, not deviating except for 2 Omegas and a Hublot (all very short lived).

After all this I have realized a couple things
1) I don't like heavy, PM watches with PM bracelets... I like the way they look, just not how they feel on my small, awkward shaped wrists.
2) I will probably never get WG anything again.
Nobody seemed to even know I was wearing gold save the few rare WIS I bump into and meet in the wild.
(I guess the whole "stealth wealth" concept isn't for me).
3) The Sub is my favorite Rolex design followed closely by Daytona.
So down the road, very probable one of these Rolexes will come back to my collection.
4) I am not going to focus on building a collection of balanced pieces anymore.
No more thoughts like GMT, Chrono, Diver and dress. Balancing brands, colors, etc.
In fact, I am not really interested in watch "collecting". I am interested in watch "wearing".
I am just going to buy watches I really WANT to wear, look forward to wearing. and that get me excited.
As soon as they don't, I will flip them for something that does excite me.
5) I want only exceptional watches for all occasions, even going to the gym and the beach.
6) I am not into fluted bezels or traditional dress watches... the dressiest watch I would probably ever get is a 5711-1r or 5712r on a strap.
7) At this point, only 4 brands interest me - Rolex, AP, PP and RM. And only sports models. RM is down the road, not anytime soon.
8) I will probably trade and flip my watches often, just as I do my cars. I accept that about myself and will feel no guilt any longer.
Right now two watches feels right though I can see myself adding a SS bracelet watch that is comfortable later this year (like 5711/5712).
I have been wearing SS/PM bracelets nonstop for 8 years so I have no problem having two rubber strap watches now.

NEW Collection starting this Tuesday
SO, my collection is going from a WG Sub, SS Daytona, and Pepsi to:

1) PP 5167R
2) AP 26405CE (Ceramic anthracite)

I tried on most PP Aquanaut and Nautilus versions and Most AP RO and ROO models at ADs.
These are the two that together really moved me emotionally and also were very comfortable to wear.
One will work for dress (amazing how good the 5167r looks on rubber), and the AP for even more occasions as I will probably workout with it even.

The toughest choices boiled down to AP 44rg vs Ceramic anthracite and PP 5712-1a vs 5167r.
I knew I wanted actual gold on my watch, so 5167r and AP 44rg were the two finalists.
Once I wore the AP44rg and felt its heft compared to the comfort of the 5167r and AP CE, the AP CE fell into place.
Plus looking in the mirror, on me, I actually like the way it looks better (that surprised me).

Ultimately I LOVE the look and comfort of my final two choices...

So let me introduce you to my new 2 piece collection

2016-07-16_22-46-37.jpg
2016-07-16_22-49-32.jpg

p.s. Had a hard time deciding which forum to post this in...
I didn't want to post in the Rolex forum, because it's a new beginning for me, and I no longer have rolexes.
I decided here, only because I have been a bit more active here than the AP forum.

[lapince]

Awesome 2 piece collection mate, good idea to get them by reducing your Rolexes, these are way nicer for sure.
I have a ce AP as well, the ce diver, and a 5167R arriving in October, and in 2 weeks am getting the 5712, so will have these 3 pieces as well, love the idea of having 3 watches in different materials, SS, CE and RG, makes good diversity depending on the occasion, and all 3 are fine IMO to wear as daily watches. Enjoy those 2 beauties

[brmeyers]

Originally Posted by lapince

Awesome 2 piece collection mate, good idea to get them by reducing your Rolexes, these are way nicer for sure.
I have a ce AP as well, the ce diver, and a 5167R arriving in October, and in 2 weeks am getting the 5712, so will have these 3 pieces as well, love the idea of having 3 watches in different materials, SS, CE and RG, makes good diversity depending on the occasion, and all 3 are fine IMO to wear as daily watches. Enjoy those 2 beauties

Thanks Arnaud, I hope to add the 5712 later this year (or possibly something else...).
We are definitely on the same wavelength in our current tastes for watches

[DeeTee]

I've never been a SS Aquanaut fan, but those clean crisp polished lines in rose just set it off!

Enough said on the ceramic Novelty

[brmeyers]

Originally Posted by dt32886@gmail.com

I've never been a SS Aquanaut fan, but those clean crisp polished lines in rose just set it off!

Enough said on the ceramic Novelty

You are so correct with the crisp polished lines on the rose gold!
I have been a fan of even the SS Aquanaut, but didn't fall in
love with it seeing it in person.
This RG beauty satisfies my longing for a rose gold sports watch that is actually
comfortable too. Really treads the fine line of being both dress and
casual very nicely! And it was that instant knowingness of yes, I gotta have this!
It just checks all the boxes for me!

And the AP Ceramic anthracite... yes, just one look and enough said...
Especially in person!

[daytonaTBR]

Awesome story and congrats! 5167r is my favorite aquanaut and you should definitely pick up a 5712/1a later on and make it a trio!

[benlee]

These two are good choices which should cover most bases and situation. Watches are for wearing first thing first. No point to have something you don't wear often and don't feel good about it just to have a "balance" collection.

Congrats!

[brmeyers]

Originally Posted by Aw15

Awesome story and congrats! 5167r is my favorite aquanaut and you should definitely pick up a 5712/1a later on and make it a trio!

Thanks, if I had the funds I may have gotten all three.

2016-07-14_01-37-34.jpg

Saw this ^^ 5712 at AD last week. It was tough walking away from
it but ultimately, I loved the two choices I got a bit more.

[brmeyers]

Originally Posted by benlee

These two are good choices which should cover most bases and situation. Watches are for wearing first thing first. No point to have something you don't wear often and don't feel good about it just to have a "balance" collection.

Congrats!

Thanks Ben, it seems so obvious, but I got into the "collectors" mindset of balanced collection, adding a vintage, every collection needs a daytona, etc etc etc...
And for me should cover most bases since I never wear a suit and tie, once a year (maybe) a tie, and only winter long sleeve oxford shirts and dress jeans (I live in Florida).
Dressing up for me is usually wearing nice loafers instead of sandals and a polo with my shorts instead of a t-shirt...

[Dancing Fire]

Congrats!, I am a fan of RG watches... Don't know much about AP.

[toneafficianado]

Great story and choices. Congrats!

[incontrol]

Interesting story. I really like your two choices. Huge congrats!

[topcat30093]

Congratulations, great way to re-start your collection.

[lapince]

Originally Posted by brmeyers

Thanks Ben, it seems so obvious, but I got into the "collectors" mindset of balanced collection, adding a vintage, every collection needs a daytona, etc etc etc...
And for me should cover most bases since I never wear a suit and tie, once a year (maybe) a tie, and only winter long sleeve oxford shirts and dress jeans (I live in Florida).
Dressing up for me is usually wearing nice loafers instead of sandals and a polo with my shorts instead of a t-shirt...

I have one rule for watches, get what I prefer the most, don't care about any versatility, different complications and other things, tried it and didn't work...

[japenney]

really glad that I found this post in a random forum search. And it is recent. Must have been fate. I really enjoyed reading your post.

[RussW]

Great story and great choice of watches. I think it's good to shake the collection up once in a while.

[Flex368]

You certainly selected two fine references there. Will they stay for longer than one week this time?

I understand you´re a serial flipper but wouldn´t it make sense to give new incomings more than a week before flipping them for something new?

[Barth]

Great story, and congrats on the new collection. Two great pieces.

I agree completely with your logic of focusing on the watches you wanna wear, rather than balancing a collection with pieces you don't necessarily love. Well done !

[goog53]

Great story! Only thing that bothered me was reading the word Hublot. JK! Congrats on two killer pieces. The Anthracite AP is my favorite ROO as I have tried on several times and the RG 5167 is a stunner in the flesh. Pics really don't do the piece justice. Wear in good health and my guess is that you'll add a SS piece sooner than later

[PJ S]

One thing I will say, apart from the usual congrats, is don't be closed minded to other brands than those you've indicated that are only of interest.
Take a serious and proper look at the likes of Girard Perregaux's Chrono Hawk, Parmigiani Pershing and Tonda, Vacheron Constantin Overseas, Bvlgari Octo, Piaget Polo, Armin Strom... I could go on, but you get the picture.

[conkers]

Congrats!

[HL65]

Great choices and congrats! You will be back to Rolex again though...Watch! LOL

By the way the 44 Anthracite is my favorite of the 44's too and that includes the RG which I had and swapped for the Ceramic.

[malarky_hk]

Two great pieces. The RG Aquanaut is a stunner! Congrats.

[ap1]

Thanks for sharing. That's as good a pair as any.

[1William]

I like your story and watch choices. The only thing I would add would be a ND Sub for just when ever the others don't work. I love the design and fit of the Sub. I like passion driven watch owners.

[AK797]

Beautiful pair, many congrats, altho I could happily have gone for the other 2 finalists as well.

[HorologyK]

IMO, you could easily get by with one watch forever based on your comments ... 5167.

[Passionata]

Superb concept ,love the two finalist

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by HL65

Great choices and congrats! You will be back to Rolex again though...Watch! LOL.

This !!!
While particularly our tastes evolve , those 2 models are
not my cup of tea yet ...
Congrats on your new exploration !!!

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by HL65

Great choices and congrats! You will be back to Rolex again though...Watch! LOL
.

Been there done that. Congrats on the pickups though. 44 anthracite is such a cool watch and the 5167 was a staple in my lineup for 2+ years which is like decades in my watchbox