TZ-UK Forums TZ-UK Forums TonyAFC8
In the five years on the forum, I have been introduced to brands I hadn’t heard of and tried many, many (too many) watches that I wouldn’t have without being on the forum. From Sinn to Fortis through to JLC, IWC, Tudor, Panerai, Longines and a good few more. I had of course heard of most of these. I also fell in and out of love with the speedy but do want one again 😉 I fell in and out of love with Tudor but if the ever get the 58 GMT in the right set up with no rivets I will be back in.
Having never previously ventured into anything vintage or off piste tried a few random brands and under the guidance of some more knowledgeable forum members have now dabbled in a few vintage nicer watches.
The collection has moved through the cycle of being Rolex orientated to having not Rolex in the collection and back to where it is now being Rolex orientated, I have a type and like what I wear. Appreciate it is not everyone’s favorite brand, and you are free to stop reading now as I do have a few of the dreaded Rolex in the collection again.
The forum has led to many car parks, train stations, coffee shops, pubs, hotels and even a few nice lunch meet ups (Jurgen is probably the most for lunch and definitely Kippax the most overall :-)), it has been great to meet so many forum heroes and even get a few nice comments on the heroes’ thread myself.
I tried the abstinence club very unsuccessfully both this year and last but will probably have another go next year.
I know its only really the pictures that people want to see so my usual poor pictures of the collection below as got them all at the same time for the first time in a good while, the opinions are my own and the reason they are in the collection is because I like them 🙂
Rolex Submariner 14060m – Full set and in great condition.
Purchased from a forum member and my earliest memory of seeing a Rolex and really wanting one in my late teens, probably my favorite watch of all time and I genuinely love it. It would probably be the last to go although I would like to add an exceptional 5513 at some point.
Sea-Dweller 16600 – Full set and again in great condition.
Purchased from a dealer friend and another of my favorites, now especially they seem to be a great value watch with a lot of wrist presence id that is what you are looking for although I am a big fan of simplicity and the size. Picked this up after a shitty spell at work to cheer myself up and it certainly did that.
Explorer II 16570 – Watch only but still in great condition for its age.
Picked this up off a forum member during a meet up, wasn’t the plan but a great watch and under the radar for travelling, these also are great value now as the market has settled back down. At 40mm and with the GMT feature it has been part of my travel watch section for work and is a regular pub goer too.
Explorer 39mm Mk2 214270 – Full set and in great condition
My preference for size on the explorer although there is not much in it compared with the newer reference, I do however prefer the placement of the word explorer in the six o’clock position rather than the 12 o’clock of the new reference. In my opinion another nice under the radar Rolex that wears well in a both a smart or casual environment.
Bit of a break from the Rolex now 
Omega Seamaster Chronostop 1969 – Partial set only but awesome condition
My first ever dabble in vintage through a forum member this Chronostop is in truly amazing condition and when I took it to be serviced with an indie they initially thought it was a re-issue. The omega stamp in the center of the original Plexi and the case and dial condition really is amazing for a watch nearly ten years older than I am. It’s big for its time (42mm) which personally I think makes it look and feel modern, especially on the Erikas strap. I really do love this one and am in fact wearing it today.
Omega Seamaster, White dial on rubber 210.32.42.20.04.001 – Full set former daily
Having owned pretty much all dial and color variations, at one point I had six of this reference the white is the one that stuck, it’s a really good pub watch in the summer and weekend away watch. Up there with my most worn I would say over the past five years, not much you can say about the Seamaster, love them or hate them on the used market I think are excellent value watches.
Breitling Aerospace Evo Night Mission V7936310/BD60 -Full set and great condition
The do all digital and analogue watch, the best one on the market in my opinion, has been on many holidays and can do anything. I actually sold this to a friend and instantly regretted it, fortunately bought it back a year later and just in time for a battery service ☹
Breitling Aerospace B70 Orbiter – EB70101A1O1E1
So good I did it twice  this version has a cool back story, and the dial is really something different, super light and comfortable with the new micro adjustment in the clasp. Came from a hero of the forum at a good price in my opinion. Wore it recently whilst getting caught in the Lisbon power cuts, the light was very useful…. I have always liked a bit of titanium, this ticks all the boxes for me.
Submariner 114060 – Full set and nice condition
Back to some Rolex, I always liked the no date option as well as the date and this has been well worn, the maxi case is fine by me, and I like the styling and look although I don’t really have a preference when compared to the newer reference. Not much you I can say about the watch other than it’s a great daily.
Submariner 116610LV – Full set in great condition
Not an everyday watch in my opinion although it was my old bosses Hulk that he wore as his daily that originally caught my eye with this reference and although certainly not a shrinking violet looks great in the sun and wears well to me. Apologies for the Huk terminology but I have used it as I know it winds up a few of my online friends  Wanted one for many years and finally got this a few weeks ago at a very reasonable price as the market has softened, a coffee meet with a forum member ticked this box for me.
Submariner 126610LV – Full set as new
You may have guessed my type by now, I do enjoy a submariner. The Starbucks is in my opinion a nicely toned down version of the Hulk, the black dial and differing colour of the ceramic bezel is much more subdued, not exactly under the radar but has been a great wearer. This is my second one after selling the first and regretting it. I may have done this a few times.
Sea-Dweller 126600 MK1 Red 50th Anniversary – Full set great condition
A big lump for me but I do enjoy the change in heft verses most of my other watches, the red writing is especially nice IMO and the chunky bracelet wears really well. This is my Max size and having tried a good few 44mm Panerai that I just cant get on with, a lot of people feel this wears bigger than the Panerai but I just seem to get on with it. Not an every day watch for me but a good occasional. Acquired as part of a slightly unplanned trade with a forum member.
GMT-Master II 126710BLNR – Full set recently stickers off to wear
Always loved the GMT and I travel a lot for work, have never actually managed to get a Pepsi from my AD and this is my second batman, I think I probably prefer this to the Pepsi but would still like one from my AD if it ever came to pass. Have recently worn this across the USA and Canada for work, it is super cool and would be in my top three to keep for sure if I must cut back in the future although I have no plans to.
GMT-Master II 126710GRNR – Full set recent pick up from the AD
Personally, I really like the grey on this and sold my 116710 when the call came from the AD. There really wasn’t too much deference between the, but the jubilee and the grey add a little more to the overall watch, the jubilee is pretty shiny which makes it a bit more dressy and to be honest this one hasn’t left the house yet and is back in the safe but will be worn properly very soon.
That’s the end of the main collection but……
Casioak’s
I have had a few of these and currently have three, the yellow has found its way into my wife’s watches for holiday so aren’t in the picture. The best robust beater you can have.
Christopher Ward Trident Pro 300 – Christopher Ward bespoke work diver
The trident pro was a gift for being my brother’s best man and has a personal engraving on the back, it will certainly never go although it is infrequently worn. I really don’t like the bracelet but the Erikas is really comfortable and wearable. The bespoke has by company name on the dial and is also cast into the case back with a team reference. The CW quality has always impressed and they are great value for money, especially used and they are launching more and more interesting offerings.
Victorinox Divemaster 500 automatic
This watch has been all over with me and battered, it barely shows any damage and keep great time. This again is the second of these I have owned after regretting selling, I picked this up in Canada used as a full set for £250 and it can take any amount of use. Will be taking this climbing and into the sea with me in Turkey later in the year, I came off my motorbike whilst wearing this and it came off unscathed as did I just a bit bruised physically and ego.
I you have got this far through fair play and thanks for reading, I did plan to do all of those that have come and gone in the five years but not only have I lost track Rick highlighted I wouldn’t be finished until my 10th anniversary.
Thank you too our host and the forum members I have come in contact with so far and in the future.
Cheers, Tony
