Who still has their first 'nice' watch?

[lear60man]

Going through some boxes after a move, I dug up my first nice watch. The year was 1986(?) and The Sharper Image catalog was selling a really purdy watch that I had to have. I think it was $399 at the time and I was a flat broke teenager. Christmas rolls around and my Girlfriend blew me away with the watch I was lusting after.

I present to you....my 1986 Tag Heuer 1000 in Black Coral and gold. I wore this every day for the next 10 or so years when I added a Breitling. Next came a blue two tone Sub that took over the heaving lifting and so on etc.

Anyway, I dusted it off and did a little research to find that the watch was PVD coated with a quartz movement. So I bought a watch repair kit on Amazon and went to town. New battery....nope. New battery and a quick bath in lighter fluid.....Yes.

She now lives. Future plans are to source a NOS bracelet and bezel. I tried it on and...feels super small compared to a modern Sub. But hey, Its a 35 year old timepiece that was my first 'nice' watch. It wont see water or heavy use, but its nice to bring back some of my youth back in rotation.

[PanosI]

1988 Citizen Aqualand.
Daily watch for almost 20 years. Then came my all time favorite watch the 16710!

[77T]

1965 graduation



But with a beads of rice replacing the original bracelet in 2010…


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[alphadweller]

My 2005 Omega Planet Ocean 2500C 45.5. This was my first "serious" watch.

[ts3]

2001 IWC Mark XV has been my first nice watch and happens to be on my wrist as I am writing.

[rjd1]

When I first saw the thread title I instantly thought of my beloved Tag - which I still have. Opened it up and saw OP post my exact watch. Similar story, always a watch nerd since I was a kid, lusting after my first good watch - no way I could afford that in late 80’s. It was an early college graduation present from my folks - got it 89 or so. Still have it and recently gave it a once over to get it running and fix bracelet. Nice memory - thanks for bringing it up!

[jatco]

I guess my first nice watch is my grandfathers Hamilton Boulton...
Still wear it once in a while...

[AK797]

Sadly not in any first stages, a smart Raymond Weil as first watch over £500, a Breitling Steelfish as first luxury watch, a Sub as first Rolex, and an AP ROC as my first Haute piece. If I wasn't on this forum I probably would still have the last three.

[Token74]

Yep. My first ‘nice’ watch was a Tag Microtimer (I know, I know!!! But I didn’t at the time!!). Had it 16 years now. Never gets worn, but it ain’t going anywhere.


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[lear60man]

Originally Posted by rjd1

When I first saw the thread title I instantly thought of my beloved Tag - which I still have. Opened it up and saw OP post my exact watch. Similar story, always a watch nerd since I was a kid, lusting after my first good watch - no way I could afford that in late 80’s. It was an early college graduation present from my folks - got it 89 or so. Still have it and recently gave it a once over to get it running and fix bracelet. Nice memory - thanks for bringing it up!

Post up a pic! I was in the grocery store about 3 months ago and saw a guy wearing one. First time seeing one in the wild besides mine.

[Andad]

1969 Roamer Mustang for my 21st birthday from my late mum and dad.

Still ticking.

[soxxel]

Originally Posted by 77T

1965 graduation



But with a beads of rice replacing the original bracelet in 2010…


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Is that the original beads of rice bracelet? It looks to be in immaculate condition.

[77T]

No it replaced the original one.


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[Toffeeman]

My first serious watch in 2000, Omega Constellation. Still with me

[AK797]

Originally Posted by AK797

Sadly not in any first stages, a smart Raymond Weil as first watch over £500, a Breitling Steelfish as first luxury watch, a Sub as first Rolex, and an AP ROC as my first Haute piece. If I wasn't on this forum I probably would still have the last three.

I do still have my late father's gold Seiko watch he bought, or rather my Mum bought for him in Japan, when I was 5 years old, obviously that will never be sold.

[EEpro]

Yep. 2002 AD purchase.

[1William]

Like my innocence, long gone.

[fmc000]

Still have my old (1977) DJ 1601, actually I just got it back from the safe yesterday and resized to fit my current wrist size.

[rjd1]

Originally Posted by lear60man

Post up a pic! I was in the grocery store about 3 months ago and saw a guy wearing one. First time seeing one in the wild besides mine.

Very cool! Here’s mine:




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[talkingbollox]

Still got this....a gift from my mother...

[AzHadEnuf]

Still got it.

[Texex]

Yup. Got my Tag Heuer 4000 in 1999 for $900 which was a ton for me right out of college. Not at home so can’t get a pick but here it is in all it’s 90’s glory from the web

The start of the addiction


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[emtee]

I’ve still got my first proper watch which was a Seiko quartz chrono which was a gift from my parents on my 16th birthday. It’s no longer ticking and I imagine the old battery in there has likely destroyed the movement but I keep it for sentimental reasons.

I bought myself an Omega Planet Ocean 2500 when I was 24 for £2200 which was a lot of money for me at the time. I ended up selling it for £1800 about 5 years later when I was buying my first place as every penny counted. Boy I wish I could turn back time and not have done that! I would have been fine.

[dannyp]

Yup, though needs a battery change. Tag Heuer 2000 Sport (had Sub/GMT-style bezel inserts and Arabic numerals). It turns 20 this year.

Have my second nice watch, too, a Breitling Colt. Haven't worn in a while, but wind it up every so often and it goes right to work.

[Flying Clog]

Not sure it’s nice but still have the watch my parents bought me for my 16th birthday - a thin gold plated Rotary which at the time was on a gold plated bracelet but was moved to a black crocodile strap.

Battery is probably worth more than the watch but it has meaning for me.
After having had a Casio digital watch I considered this my first proper watch.

When I started earning for myself I was mad about Formula 1 which was in those days timed by Tag Heuer - so when I saw a red dialled S/el - I had to have it. I think it was around GBP1,300.
I remember my parents thought I was mad !
Still have that too.


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[IGotId]

I still have mine; an Omega SMP 2254.50

[Avs Fan]

Not on my wrist anymore, but still in the family. My daughter is enjoying it now.

[jw0n]

Yup, still have it. Bought it in 2001 after working part time in uni.

[lear60man]

For those of you that have dead batteries.....Its not that hard, but I do like to tinker. I bought a $20 'watch repair kit' from amazon primarily for the case back wrench. Once I got the back off, I could identify the battery as a Energizer 371/370 (5 pack for $6). Soaked it in lighter fluid for a few minutes to loosen the internal movement and 6 days later, its keeping time just fine.

My second nice watch, Breitling Crosswind somehow lost the 30min marker PIP on the bezel. Found a used one for $75 from Germany, now its back in rotation after 20 years.

[MTBer]

From the bowels of history, before the MVMT association.