Do you swap them or keep for life?

[uktrailmonster]

I've always considered expensive watches to be a lifetime purchase, sometimes bought to mark a special occasion. Also makes it easier to justify the cost

So my watches and reasons for buying:-

Omega Speedmaster auto - 1993, to mark my first proper job. Always wanted a Speedmaster too.
Omega Speedmaster X33 - 1999, needed something practical and completely bombproof
GP Traveller - 2002, engagement present (she's a really nice girl)

No plans to ever sell these, or buy another. Although I said that after buying the first Speedmaster

So what's the story behind yours?

[Rav]

Late 60's Omega seamaster (currently undergoing £470 restoration by Omega)given to me by a freind who recently retired from our place of work. Actally the story is that i noticed it when i started here ten years ago. He was assigned to 'show me the ropes' and i commented on his watch. Ten years later he retired and said "Heres that watch you like". Got it valued recently and they came back with a value of £1800.
Won't ever sell or swap it and will end up giving it to my daughter.

Actually I have two daughters, so im now in the market for a Omega speedmaster(the moon one)to give to her in order to play fair......

[Marki]

I have had my Submariner for close to 20 years now , i would not dream of selling it

[Don1]

I never want to get rid of any of mine.

[PH5121]

Definately keep them for life.
The only downside to this is that it is a bit embarassing having a watch with Mickey Mouse on when you are in your 30's.

[apguy]

Must be just me then:

Over the last 15 years I have:

Bought a Tag Heuer 1500, sold it to a workmate so that I could buy an Omega Seamaster (midsize) that was sold on eBay so that I could buy an Omega Seamaster (black face, fullsize) which is now up for sale as I have bought a Submariner.

I don't attach particular sentimental value to my watches and I only wear one watch at a time so why would I want to keep my old ones?

[CmdrBond]

Bought my Omega Seamaster - Dark grey face and polished bezel in Feb 00 as a late Christmas present to myself after spending Christmas and Millienium New Year in the Persian Gulf on operations with the RAF. Not ever going to sell it.

Second watch - Tag Heuer Aquaracer bought last year in Melbourne and with the strength of the Australian dollar at that time, the tax free purchase, came out about half UK retail price.

Third watch - bought last month in Banff. It is a Oceanus which is made by Casio. Have not yet seen them in the UK. It is made of titanium (so weighs nothing compared to my Seamaster), has a solar powered re-chargeable battery, stopwatch, alarm, updated by Atomic Signal and world time with 27 settings.

Working on my next watch - have to save my pocket money for this one though -

Tag Heuer Grand Carrera 17RS - Black face on steel bracelet.

[lowdrag]

I've recently bought an IWC Spitfire chrono but worn Breitling most of my life. During the war my dad was on fire watch and a german navigator parachuted down on the roof of the factory and my dad stripped him of everything including his soup plate sized Breitling Navigators watch. That went to my older brother and when I could I bought a Navitimer which I still have. However, changing eyesight has meant a change of watch (the IWC dial is so easy to read) and now I am left with my limited edition (1996) red arrows Navitimer and a Superocean. I hate to sell them but I guess one day I will but for the moment they are sitting in the drawer in their boxes unused but still loved. A real conundrum.

[uktrailmonster]

apguy said:

I don't attach particular sentimental value to my watches and I only wear one watch at a time so why would I want to keep my old ones?

Choice? You seem to have 4 cars, but you can only drive one at a time

[uktrailmonster]

lowdrag said:

During the war my dad was on fire watch and a german navigator parachuted down on the roof of the factory and my dad stripped him of everything including his soup plate sized Breitling Navigators watch.

Now that's a cool watch story! IWC spitfire is a lovely watch too.

Edit: Great taste in cars too!

Edited by uktrailmonster on Thursday 15th November 17:30

[Marki]

apguy said:

Bought a Tag Heuer 1500, sold it to a workmate so that I could buy an Omega Seamaster (midsize) that was sold on eBay so that I could buy an Omega Seamaster (black face, fullsize) which is now up for sale as I have bought a Submariner.

At least you finally came to your senses

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

mine are keepers

[GCH]

-1998 heuer carrera reissue (black faced/perforated strap/3 register chrono)- my first decent watch and a 21st pressie to myself.
-Breitling top time (stainless- black face/2 white subdials). Bought for myself when I finally cut my psychotic nightmare of an ex out of my life after many years to cheer myself up. Had been after one for ages and appeared at exactly the right time.
Will not sell either of these ever- too sentimental!

-Breitling Longplayer 815 - like it- although selling this soon..not keen on gold watches- would prefer the stainless version....

Navitimer 806 soon....again manual wind.
Also fancy a vintage original 60s carrera.

I hate automatic watches and i hate watches with date windows on. Fussy git!

Edited by GCH on Thursday 15th November 22:04

Edited by GCH on Sunday 18th November 18:38

[Don1]

Obiwonkeyblokey said:

mine are keepers

I'm glad it wasn't a 42mm face on that one!

[tempus]

I buy weird watches that interest me at some point,a replica of the watch that was awarded to russian fighter pilots when they became aces,a chinese tourbillon `cos i wanted to see how ,pocket watches just because,but the fascination remains and i would not part with them or any of my navitimers that i actually use as watches.Tempus

[tertius]

Some (a very very few) will stay forever, but mainly I like the buying and selling, and the watches themselves of course.

Had a clearout of five or six recently, but slowly building back up again.

[sb-1]

I want to keep them all at the moment...but one day I will have to sell some as I keep buying new ones!

[Ash-man]

all keepers,only ever by pre owned watches,and so far all purchases have increased in value