Stricko's City Tours pt 2 London...Wrist Dreaming

Well these posts are like buses, wait ages and then...Well two so far. Down the big smoke aka London on Saturday for our daughters birthday. Now usually having the family in tow means no watchy stuff, but a plan was hatched.

Bit of sightseeing and up a very very tall building. Now the girls wanted to do a show, I don't really do shows

, I'll do them but as it's not really my thing and rather than waste money (and we took down a friend whose mad about this) Well I got let out for a couple or three hours to do 'my thing' and with the ladies enjoying themselves it was up to me to find some entertainment. Now I've been toying with the idea of a 'one watch' a grail if you like a massive step up for a year or so now, been looking (lusting) but having not seen them in the flesh (so so important, especially when your talking this kind of money) and living sort of in the sticks, there's not much in the way of high end in my locality, thought let's take the opportunity for some 'wrist dream'.

Watches of Switzerland seemed the place to go (and with their share price just having taken a tumble might be able to help them out) for a bit of stargazing.

1st up Zenith,the el primo revival. Now I've loved the pictures of this and on wrist looks well.. a bit of a smaller chrono than the modern norm, but oh so good. The vintage vibe, the gay friers (sorry if spelt wrong) style bracelet and that movement, yeah so good and a bit of an under the radar watch, it's ❤. And that Zenith wasn't on its own on my little list

This Defy has stolen my watch heart as well, that dial and indices and in that colour. Also has a far better, modern clasp than the huge pressed affair on the el primo (its rubbish on the el primo, but is in keeping with its vintage aesthetics, so i can forgive it). Then upstairs to a brand I've always loved (my dad had one) but haven't really gelled with most of they're modern catalogue

This gorgeous piece, and it really is, bit more dressy than the Zenith's and oh sits so well on the wrist. It's got his vote....

And if its good enough for this bloke, who's famous for being in coffee ads

I did want to try a constellation and the aqua terra summer blue on the matching strap, but as they were very busy and as I was only 'tyre kicking' (fact finding) only fair I left them to some real customers.

Spotted the Breitling AD across the road and thought why not and with my head full of watchyness saw the cars n taxis but very nearly got mowed down by a black clad ninja on a push bike who with no lights on (it was getting dark) and going like the clappers, nearly very nearly ended up with his front wheel where no front wheel should ever be..

Now Breitling is not usually on my radar but this model and on this bracelet (the best I've ever tried on) is one of their's that really appeal

And then the advisor (who was wearing a navitimer, top stuff not really my bag but great to see all the same) put this on the tray, with the subtle blue dial its a stunner (platinum bezel as well). Two beutiful watches from Breitling (and I don't often say that about Breitling).

Had to go for a calming drink after all that watchy goodness, plenty to mull over. I'd had hands on with some of the watches I've only ever dreamed of, an enjoyable and informative experience and certainly better than just looking at pictures. And these are dream watches for me, but maybe just maybe one of these pieces will find its way into my collection,it will be the biggest decision in my watch collecting (after the one 'let's have a look at some vintage on ebay') and one that will need some very deep thought. One not to be rushed, but I know these watches are in the list. Decisions decisions to go with an slightly off radar and maybe a more of a'purist' watch, the Zenith's or go with the more well known Omega (and I can post on speedy Tuesday😅) get a watch from a brand I've admired since I was a kid Omega or go off the wall and be a bit different at 36,000 bph Zenith.

Met the ladies (they really enjoyed the show) and after a very mediocre Italian and the train back up north went to bed dreaming of damn fine bracelets, awesome movements, and driving down the Holderness coast (between Bridlington and Hull, like the Amalfi but with mud cliffs and rain) in a open top sports car with a cup of coffee. Mind you everyone loved my Aquastar, really got some great compliments, so in reality I don't need to go obscenely expensive to have a great watch (and it is a great watch) but that's not what this games about really, head says one thing heart says another. We are funny,strange and plain daft creatures, where logic goes all out the window. So less of a travelog (London needs no advertising) more of my musings and maybe a crossroads in my collecting journey (oh god I said the J word😖). Cheers all.