1000th Post and My Time Collecting

[sillo]

For my 1000th post I wanted to do a write up on my time collecting so far, so I'll start with my Rolex watches since this is The Rolex Forum. I also apologize in advance for any typos or poor grammar.

My first foray into watch collecting was after getting out of the army in 2014. I was never really interested in watches up until this point and stumbled on an article about this guy busting celebrities (mostly rappers) with fake watches. His main point was that the watches weren't terribly expensive in the first place and you can buy a nice used watch and not empty your bank account. I thought to myself “you saved up a good amount of money from deployment and might as well treat yourself with something to commemorate your time in.”

So I bought myself a 16220 and the second I received it and put it on my wrist it was over. I've been the collector type my whole life and love anything mechanical and this turned out to be the perfect storm.

(I sucked at taking pictures at this point)


I went through a vintage phase, got a bunch of small watches and turned my back on Rolex for a little. Then I started to see the light and I fell in love with 4 digit Rolex. While most were way out of my price range, I realized I could sell my 16220 and add some money in to get a 1016. I ended up getting this...



It came on the wrong bracelet with the wrong end links and had service crystal so I went about fixing those things and couldn't have been happier.

At this point I finally started to come around to the Sport references. During my time avoiding Rolex before the 1016 and collecting some smaller vintage watches I was a little hesitant to go for the 40mm case. I wanted something a little less popular and since I had the 1016 with a black dial I knew I wanted something with a white dial. Queue the 16570 Explorer II.





Putting this watch on I immediately realized how dumb I was avoiding the 40mm Oyster case. It was just perfect. This watch shaped the rest of my collection and really honed in what I wanted to collect. 5 digit Rolex, box and papers examples, less popular/transitional references. This particular one having the 3186 and engraved rehaut.

I started to sell off some of the vintage watches I had at the time and was getting ready to restructure when somebody on TRF saw a picture of my 1016 and contacted me saying he wanted to buy. He offered me a good price as the case wasn't in good condition (lots of polishing and pitting between the lugs) and just like that my 1016 was gone. Now I was pocketing some money and looking for another 5 digit to add.

To continue the theme I was trying to build my collection around and my preference for older watches I decided I wanted to stick with something tritium to replace the Explorer. I began to come around to a watch that I never thought I would like... the GMT Master, and to continue the weird/off-beat transitional references I went with a 16700.





Now I began to miss the matte dial of my 1016, but wanted to stick with my theme. Another watch I never thought I would like, especially when I was in my early anti Rolex stage, began to show up on my radar. The 16800 fit perfect into my theme, transitional, short run, often overlooked and a 5 digit reference.





After this I took break and didn't purchase anything in 2017, but I began to research and decide how I wanted to stick to my theme and round out my collection. I knew I wanted to add a chronograph, but even at this point Zenith Daytonas began to appreciate at an astronomical rate so I was quickly priced out. I switched my sites to Big Blocks, and while I was waiting for the right one to pop up I stumbled on the 792x0 chronographs, “Small Blocks” if you like. They were cheaper and fit my collection criteria a little better. Sapphire crystals like the rest of them and if I found an early one with Rolex crown, Rolex caseback and Oysterdate dial it would check that transitional box.

I was able to find the perfect example, and since I was soon to graduate from college using my GI Bill my dad agreed to purchase it as my college graduation gift.






And the last Rolex that's been added to my collection, a 2-Liner 14060. It's funny to think back at my early days getting into watches, I thought I would never want a sub and now I have two. I fell in love with the simplicity of this one and while it isn't really a transitional or under loved reference, It's the last 2-line sub drawing inspiration from the earliest Submariner references.

Took a long time to find a Tritium 2-liner, but the patience paid off.





I have some other stuff too, I collect vintage Seiko and I have two Omegas. I'll get around to posting about them and maybe some of the watches I've owned, but sold.

Any critiques? Where would you go from here? I don't have plans to add anything in the near future, but I'm in this for the long haul.

[sillo]

double post.

[joli160]

Very nice collection :thumbs: up to the 2000

[burnthesehills]

Beautiful collection! Great post, thanks for sharing.

[thisship]

pretty extensive collection. good job!

[JR16]

Great read and great collection, thanks for posting !


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Boaters]

Great read and what a beautiful collection

[OTWT]

Nice job!

[GradyPhilpott]

That's actually a spectacular collection and implies a good deal more thought than most of us put into the matter.

With me it was just buying what appealed to me and was available and affordable at the time.

Clearly, you had a vision of how you wanted to proceed and backed it up with solid research of the brand and its history.

Congratulations!

[BakerView]

Cool. And well constructed post, thanks.

[sillo]

Thanks everyone! It's been a fun 5 years so far and I really enjoy everything that goes with building a collection. All the research, the hunting and finally adding that perfect piece to the collection.

The Seikos have been a nice supplement to the fun also. I find collecting them is very similar to Rolex, just a lot nicer to the wallet. They're both vertically integrated manufacturers who obsess with controlling everything to make the best watches they can and have extremely passionate collectors to compile information to help others with their research.

Here's my Seiko collection so far.

[sillo]

Took a quick shot of all of them together minus the Tudor which is getting serviced right now




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Onequik135i]

Great job & beautiful collection, I traded my Polar 3186 16570 (very well missed) but I will eventually pick one up in the near future.

[sensui]

It's all about the journey. Nice collection so far.

[Chiboy]

Very nicely thought out and executed. I love that you didn't go for all the sought after TRF hot models, but went after what appealed to YOU. Not that folks buy what the forums recommend, but there's definitely forum favorites that a lot of folks focus on.

I don't even know half of the distinctions between the model variations that intrigued you, but appreciate that you went after something because you liked it, and you found it.

[seabreeze60]

Good read. Since you have acquired the primary SS classics at a young age the next chapter will be interesting. Sounds like you have done a nice job buying and selling as well. Congratulations!

[Wedders]

Where’s the Omegas.

[sillo]

Originally Posted by seabreeze60

Good read. Since you have acquired the primary SS classics at a young age the next chapter will be interesting. Sounds like you have done a nice job buying and selling as well. Congratulations!

A 14270 Explorer would be a nice addition and would fit my collection perfect too. I think I'd like to stick to SS, but I guess I should never say never.

The other thing I’ve been contemplating is getting one of the 36mm Railmasters Omega releases in the 2000s to complete the Seamaster, Speedmaster, Railmaster trilogy and it is very aesthetically similar to the Explorer.

Originally Posted by Wedders

Where’s the Omegas.

My go to for anytime I don't want to worry about beating up a watch. I swapped the stock clasp for Omega’s version of the glidelock.

[rmlovett1]

Really cool! Congrats on a great collection!

[AF_Rob]

There are a lot of great pieces in this thread!

[TimeRookie]

Well done!!

[bonovox]

Great collection! Really enjoyed going through it.

[carlhaluss]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

That's actually a spectacular collection and implies a good deal more thought than most of us put into the matter.

With me it was just buying what appealed to me and was available and affordable at the time.

Clearly, you had a vision of how you wanted to proceed and backed it up with solid research of the brand and its history.

Congratulations!

I really couldn't say it better myself than the quote above. Pretty much sums up what I thought as I read through your excellent post. You have a lot more nerve than I do, as I usually go for the new stuff. Although, at this point I am a bit more savvy, and know places where I could actually get servicing done for vintage pieces.

Just a wonderful collection you have there!

Since you don't seem to mind the smaller watches either, maybe look out for some nice pre-owned OP34/Air-King models. Might be an interesting addition to your collection.

Thanks for sharing your experiences and wonderful collection.

Cheers,
Carl

[sillo]

Appreciate the kind words everyone!

Originally Posted by carlhaluss

I really couldn't say it better myself than the quote above. Pretty much sums up what I thought as I read through your excellent post. You have a lot more nerve than I do, as I usually go for the new stuff. Although, at this point I am a bit more savvy, and know places where I could actually get servicing done for vintage pieces.

Just a wonderful collection you have there!

Since you don't seem to mind the smaller watches either, maybe look out for some nice pre-owned OP34/Air-King models. Might be an interesting addition to your collection.

Thanks for sharing your experiences and wonderful collection.

Cheers,
Carl

Thanks for checking out the thread Carl A vintage OP is actually something I've considered, specifically a 1018.

[ltmgeller]

Congrats on 1000 my friend and congrats on an amazing collection!

[Oldfellow]

Thanks for a most interesting post.
A very thoughtful and solid strategy.
Love your collection.

[sillo]

Originally Posted by ltmgeller

Congrats on 1000 my friend and congrats on an amazing collection!

Thanks Mike, looking forward to the next meet up

[sillo]

Got a little update pic to add

[FlyDuc78]

Love your collection

[Starhutch]

Sean, enjoyed reading and looking forward to the next 1000. Congrats sir