Q: How did you get into watch collecting?
I bought a watch, then noticed another watch that could do something mine couldn't do, so I bought that one. Then I noticed another watch that do something that these two couldn't do, so I bought that one. I think you get the pattern now...
Q: What was the first watch you ever owned?
A gold-colored Hamilton Model 6234 dress watch with an automatic 25-jewel ETA 2824-2 movement that I bought in 1995 for $350. It was the only watch I owned for almost 30 years.
Q: Do you have a watch with a particularly interesting story behind it?
I had a vintage Hamilton Model 6234 mechanical watch I bought in 1995 for $350. It sported 25 jewels and an ETA 2824-2 movement. At the time I bought it, it was my everyday watch. I never had it serviced. Fast-forward almost 30 years, and I took it into a local watchmaker to get an estimate on its first service and he quoted me $500! Well, that's not gonna happen. So I sent the watch back to the Hamilton factory thinking they could do it, but alas, they refused to service it citing the piece was over 25 years old and parts may not be available. Hamilton gave me 30% off any watch in their current inventory, so I got a quartz Ventura (the one with the 50's art deco case). No more mechanical watches for me--I just don't want to deal with the hassle of servicing them.
Q: What is one piece of advice you have for someone just getting into watches?
Remember: You don't really own a watch. You are merely a steward of it. The watch will outlive you! Don't let your identity get caught up in the stewardship of a particular piece or collection.
Q: What brands have been getting your attention lately?
Timex and Bulova: Inexpensive watches that keep good time and look nice.
Q: What is your grail watch and why?
More of a grail MOVEMENT than a watch...To me the ultimate engineering Wonder of the World is the mechanical perpetual calendar movement with moon dial. A watch sporting this feature would be VERY expensive and, for me, merely WISHING for a watch of this caliber is somewhat absurd. At best, my hope is that the Universe deems me worthy to have one bestowed upon me because I was a harbinger of good works and love.
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