Rocksteady
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Q: How did you get into watch collecting?
I've always had a love of watches, I remember looking at them in the window of my local jeweler every time I would walk down the high street. It is only in the last five years that I have become a proper collector, as I have become exposed to more and more watch enthusiasts on YouTube and other platforms (such as here) which has reignited my interest.
Q: What was the first watch you ever owned?
The first watch I remember owning was an Adidas quartz watch. I have no idea of the model number or anything of that sort, and I only have fleeting memories of it, but I remember loving it because it matched my glasses.
Q: Do you have a watch with a particularly interesting story behind it?
Of all the watched in my collection my Omega Speedmaster Apollo 8 probably has the most story behind it. Almost five years ago my wife decided to change career and we moved from London to Scotland, where her family all live, so that she could go back to University and retrain to do something she really loves. I was lucky enough to be working for an employer that allowed me to relocate, despite not having an office in Scotland, and in my mind just continued doing what I always did. I didn't think much of the relocation or making such a big change, with our income cut in half for three years, just seeing it as doing what was required for the person I love to be happy and find the best version of her self. Once she graduated she told me how important the changes I had accepted were, and while I said I would happily do it again, she wanted to highlight what she saw as the sacrifices I made for her, and knowing I had a love of watches she wanted to get me a watch to commemorate everything we had achieved together. I had been looking through Speedmasters on the Omega website from time to time and had always liked the Apollo 8 but seeing that it was a special edition watch assumed I would never even see one, let alone own one. We went to a jeweler in Edinburgh and looking in the window there were a few watches that took my eye, and then I spotted the Apollo 8. I tried on a few different ones but I knew it was the Apollo 8 I had to have.
Q: What is one piece of advice you have for someone just getting into watches?
Don't listen to anyone else about which watchmakers are good or bad, right or wrong. Almost all watch makers have value and a history, and like many other things watches are subjective. Buy what you like and what speaks to you, just because someone else doesn't like it doesn't mean that you shouldn't either. Also don't compromise, if there is a watch you really want but you can't afford it, try to save and wait for it (if you can), try not to get something else that you think might provide you with the same feeling. You will still want the more expensive watch and you will be even further away from getting it.
Q: What brands have been getting your attention lately?
The easier question is probably what brands haven't been getting my attention... If I think about watches from brands I have been looking at the most, it is probably JLC, Cartier, IWC, and Panerai.
Q: What is your grail watch and why?
I'm not entirely sure I have a grail watch, as it implies that it is the one watch or the perfect watch, that once you have it you won't want or need any more, and there are always more watches! If I think about watches that I would love to own but are out of my reach currently then the top of that list is probably the Vacheron Constantin 1921.
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