Close to Greatness
I today experienced my biggest heartbreak so far in my short watch adventure. Yesterday, while away on a work trip to a smaller city, I decided to stop by a local watch store. There, in the very back of the store next to a few Rolex's, in a glass case, they had some vintage pieces. There it was, the most beautiful watch I had ever seen: an old Breitling chronograph. I instantly fell in love.
Putting it on my wrist, every other modern watch I had ever seen faded into nothingness. 34mm of gorgeousness. What big, clunky, modern piece could possibly compare to such elegant, compact, perfectly proportioned beauty? In my book, this is close to perfection, and it would fit my traditional look and style just right. The seller wanted a fair price for it - almost twice what I had hoped - but I was prepared to pay it. I gave the store owner my contact details and she promised to contact the seller and get back to me.
Today received the details from the seller. The watch was apparently made from two old Breitling watches - a 1936 case and movement, and a separate Breitling dial of unknown age. I was heartbroken. It was a frankenwatch.
Even though I had no intention to ever sell it, how can I know what such a watch is really worth? What would I answer if someone asked me about it? And what would it feel like to own and wear it, if every time I look down at it all I see is two watches smushed together. No real age and history. An amalgamation. A trick.
So, there I stand now, feeling empty inside. I have witnessed greatness that makes any modern "premium" watch pale in comparison. So close that I could touch it, feel it, desire it. But it was a mirage. All those modern pieces the Youtube watch review channels talk about/shill suddenly look so very uninteresting.
Swedish guy with a Master's degree in Japanese and an interest in traditional culture and aesthetics.
Who cares? If you like it and fell in love for it, just go for it
Also what was the asking price?
I'm at a loss in my ability to relate to you. Yo described the watch as a "elegant, compact, perfectly proportioned beauty". The fact that it is a possible one of a kind creation made by someone who had a vision makes it even COOLER in my opinion. If you love it just wear the hell out of it with pride. The Frankenwatch aspect of it should be leveraged to negotiate a better price if possible but as long as you do not intend to sell it, don't worry. If you do ever sell it, be transparent about its construction.
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Interesting. I must say am rather surprised by your responses. For me, a frankenwatch can of course be visually beautiful, but it has been robbed of its history and its identity. My Cronos Explorer is an honest homage, sold under its own name - a frankenwatch is a lie.
I will need to think about this. I admit, sometimes I am simply wrong.
So it's a vintage Breitling with an upgraded dial. Nothing hard to explain there. I would get it and wear it until the ling falls off.
Who cares? If you like it and fell in love for it, just go for it
Also what was the asking price?
About $1900. A fair price for some of Breitling's models from that time period, as far as I can tell. Not mortgage levels, but 4x my currently most expensive watch.
About $1900. A fair price for some of Breitling's models from that time period, as far as I can tell. Not mortgage levels, but 4x my currently most expensive watch.
I would say it's fair price tbh, I mean if the piece talks to you, you will regret for a long time letting it go imo, sure it may be a franken, but it's still within Breitling family, not like some, idk, case from omega, movement from zenith, dial from breitling or something stupid like that
I'm at a loss in my ability to relate to you. Yo described the watch as a "elegant, compact, perfectly proportioned beauty". The fact that it is a possible one of a kind creation made by someone who had a vision makes it even COOLER in my opinion. If you love it just wear the hell out of it with pride. The Frankenwatch aspect of it should be leveraged to negotiate a better price if possible but as long as you do not intend to sell it, don't worry. If you do ever sell it, be transparent about its construction.
Perhaps you are right. My feelings are based on a feeling of being fooled, of falling in love with something different than what it really is. At the right price I would still enjoy it for what it is.
I just have no clue what price is fair for a frankenwatch.
About $1900. A fair price for some of Breitling's models from that time period, as far as I can tell. Not mortgage levels, but 4x my currently most expensive watch.
Offer them $1500 for it and call it a day. 25% off should be a fair offer considering its provenance.
I share your point of view in this case: I wouldn't have gotten it either.
"No real age and history."
What do you mean? It has even more history! It's a unique piece with an actual story to tell. :)
Found this in Tedd’s Blog.. thought I’d share it looked kinda similar to your Breitling
Found this in Tedd’s Blog.. thought I’d share it looked kinda similar to your Breitling
Thanks for the tip! It is a nice callback to classic designs.