Old_School
Q: How did you get into watch collecting?
Blame it on JOMW! About 15 years ago I almost missed a connection in Amsterdam because I didn't have a watch and I wasn't paying attention to my cell phone. On the return connection I purchased a reasonably prices but nicely spec'd Citizen quartz watch in one of the Duty Free shops in the AMS airport. It was the only watch I had until about three years ago. Fast forward to one evening my wife and I were up late watching YouTube taking turns on our profiles as civilized spouses do. I stumbled upon a video about the other "Moon Watch." I ordered it that night and we were off to the races.
Q: What was the first watch you ever owned?
The first watch I purchased from a jeweler was a Helbros 3 hander. If memory serves I purchased it in about 1978. Also if memory serves it was a dress watch or would serve as a dress watch. I had just turned 16 and my best friend's mother was trying to clean up my greasy gear head image so I could date and she took me to a jeweler to purchase a watch. (My second watch was a Bulova chronograph. We needed the chronograph to time our 0-60 MPH and 1/4 mile times.) You can clean up a guy but you can' get the oil out of his veins, at least not on the first try.
Q: Do you have a watch with a particularly interesting story behind it?
How about a brand. I am partial to Bulova, the back catalog, not the busy style pieces they are producing these days (no offense to the fans of these models). The story is too long to share here, and it is almost too ridiculous to be true, but it is. The year was 1978, it involves my father's Shell gas station, an alcoholic, practically homeless flower delivery driver, drunk off his a$$ at the end of his shift, his watch, my watch, and my naivete. Oh, and and a self-deprecating finish that always gets laughs. If anybody wants the story let me know and I'll tell.
Q: What is one piece of advice you have for someone just getting into watches?
I have to think on this one...
Q: What brands have been getting your attention lately?
Lately I have been drawn to micro-brands. The creativity I'm seeing with the new generation of designers has been very interesting. I find myself having to exercise more self-control lately than over the past year.
Q: What is your grail watch and why?
Hanhart Racemaster GT Chronograph. First, it's an excellent chronograph with real racing credentials. 2) It's large, at 45mm it will fit my 223mm wrist. 3) Reasonable price, ≈3K USD. 4) Steve McQueen had a Hanhart chronograph in his personal collection. I've been a fan of Steve McQueen since I was a kid. When I moved from Detroit to New Mexico in 1980 the first thing I did was buy a 1968 Mustang fastback and paint it Bullitt green (well almost, I got the color off a shade but it still looked good). I originally wanted a Tag Hauer Monaco but I'm never going to spend 8K+ on a watch I learned that McQueen wore it for a movie but he never had one in his personal collection. The Hanhart Chronograph ticks all the boxes.
Badges