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astcell · 2 February 2007, 07:22 AM

I figured after all this time here I ought to open my drawers (not drop them) and show you my collection! I'll add a few thoughts I had when I got them.

Top row:
Casio HD ten year watch. Bought this one at Sears in December 2005 for use in combat, knowing it may not make it back. I had a $5 coupon too.

Swatch "Blackout" model, very rare. Wedding gift from sister-in-law in 1988. It was hers and I admired it, so then it was mine. Nice of her. I got the bezel protector on my own. It is so black it can be high noon and impossible to read!

Seiko CosmoGraph 100M. Love the off-centerness of it. Got it for my Army Retirement when I received my 20-year service papers. Little did I know I'd be back. Got this one in 2001 at Sears too.

Main row:
Alpha white face Tourbillon with two times zones. Great watch. I adore the weight and size. I can set one five minutes fast and the other five minutes slow. When I talk about it I bring up the whole gang here on the forums! I bragged about it to my AD who had never heard of Alpha. I huffed at him and said then he may as well have never heard of Rolex! Hey I have pride in our group buy! Thanks LT Dan!

Panerai Luminor Marina in Blue. #296 out of 600. This one prompted my first really big post here. Loved the entire purchase experience. I love that when I shake this watch I can feel the rotor inside. My first souvenir of Qatar, 2006.

Rolex TT GMT II Anniv. What can I say, this is one amazing watch! Purchased as a Christmas present to myself. You were all with me in spirit when I got it 3 weeks after getting the Panerai.

Rolex SS GMT II. Purchased at Mayor's in International Plaza, August 2006. Sorta rushed it thanks to the looming price hike. It was nice to get back into Rolex again. Could not decide between this and the SD. Pondered for half an hour and the salesman was fine with that. Thank's Brad!

Hamilton Ventura, purchased in 1998 right when I got back from Bosnia. I had six months of paychecks waiting for me when I got back so I went to MCSE school, got a car and a house, got married, and wanted a souvenir from my favorite movie: Men in Black. This is one of the 20 watches actually used in the film. I don't know which one or if it even saw the silver screen. I paid a premium for its prop status and wear it with pride. That's what it's for!

US Mint State Quarter watch. This one is from NC. I got assigned there to Ft Bragg in 1985 and a few times since then. Great base. Met a woman from there, married her and bought all NC stuff where ever I went. Made plan to retire there. May still do that, can't blame the state for one bad egg. This one has the Wright Brothers flight on it and a quarter as the back plate. You can still get them online at usmint.gov.

Nikon F3 Shutter dial watch. Found this in a magazine ad in 1989 and loved it since I shot with the F3HP at the time. Bought it on the spot right over the phone.

Bigger image can be found here if you are so inclined to glance around.

Well that's what I have. Back to searching for stuff for JJ's house!

Prince · 2 February 2007, 07:35 AM

Congrats, Big Man!!! Beautiful collection - especially the GMTs and that "other-worldly" MIB Ventura!

BTW, I will be getting in touch with you shortly via PM regarding a "Florida" thing...

SeaGoer · 2 February 2007, 07:41 AM

That's a very nice collection!

I was looking at the Marina Panerai (the 44mm size) the other day. As I understand they are not going to offer it past 600. I do prefer, though, the 40mm like yours; the 44mm is really, really BIG

JJ Irani · 2 February 2007, 07:44 AM

BRAVO!! What a superb collection, Robert.

Naturally, the new GMT-II would have to be the pick of the lot!!

Otis · 2 February 2007, 07:45 AM

Very nice collection there Robert. Well rounded, and you know what the best part is..... each watch is important to you & has a great story behind it! Wear them all with pride

President · 2 February 2007, 08:06 AM

Nice watches and commentary

!

Langnam · 2 February 2007, 11:22 AM

Hey, Robert: What Otis said!!!

Thanks for showing your collection as I can see each watch was bought for very different, but none-the-less important reasons.

BTW, thanks for re-upping after your 20 years. Although I don't know you well, I'm quite proud that you continued your service despite knowing you'd be in harm's way.

All the best,

Marc

amanda · 2 February 2007, 12:03 PM

Great post Robert, your collection is magnificent and as Otis said every item has its own story! Excellent indeed!!

mikey · 2 February 2007, 02:07 PM

Looking at your collection and reading your stories has inspired me to collect. Thanks

Launch Mini · 2 February 2007, 02:12 PM

That is a great collection, and being that each one is special, makes the collection more "valuable" to you

Solo118 · 2 February 2007, 03:05 PM

Awesome collection, I love how each one has its own story, More the reason to keep onto them forever!

mailman · 2 February 2007, 07:08 PM

Great collection and stories Robert

Each and every one means something to you which is cool.

Thanks for serving and keeping us safe

padi56 · 3 February 2007, 01:43 AM

Great collection and great remarks about the Alpha.Just cannot believe how accurate and well built my PN is.

mike · 3 February 2007, 10:21 AM

Wonderfull collection!

Great background on each!!

Edensknight · 4 February 2007, 11:58 AM

What an outstanding collection with a fine watch suitable for any and every occasion!

astcell · 14 February 2007, 06:26 AM

Now I gotta add Kermit. ;-)

WES · 14 February 2007, 09:11 AM

Nice collection! It's always a nice feeling when it brings back a memory as your putting it on. Bill

Rockrolex · 14 February 2007, 01:05 PM

Wonderful collection and wonderful stories to go with each one, Robert. Enjoy them all.

Alcan · 14 February 2007, 01:09 PM

Great collection, Robert. Sounds like each tells a story.

astcell · 31 August 2007, 05:07 PM

This is on another thread but I better keep all my watches in one place so they don't get lost. :-)

HDHNTER · 1 September 2007, 06:21 AM

Very nice collection & thread, thanks for the enjoyable read

jasonbellevue · 5 September 2007, 06:13 PM

Great story behind a beautiful collection you have there Robert. I love that Alpha white face Tourbillon! Thanks for sharing!

2 February 2007, 07:22 AM	#1
astcell "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Robert Location: Angelus Oaks, CA Watch: 116713 Posts: 6,828	Robert's Bundle I figured after all this time here I ought to open my drawers (not drop them) and show you my collection! I'll add a few thoughts I had when I got them. Top row: Casio HD ten year watch. Bought this one at Sears in December 2005 for use in combat, knowing it may not make it back. I had a $5 coupon too. Swatch "Blackout" model, very rare. Wedding gift from sister-in-law in 1988. It was hers and I admired it, so then it was mine. Nice of her. I got the bezel protector on my own. It is so black it can be high noon and impossible to read! Seiko CosmoGraph 100M. Love the off-centerness of it. Got it for my Army Retirement when I received my 20-year service papers. Little did I know I'd be back. Got this one in 2001 at Sears too. Main row: Alpha white face Tourbillon with two times zones. Great watch. I adore the weight and size. I can set one five minutes fast and the other five minutes slow. When I talk about it I bring up the whole gang here on the forums! I bragged about it to my AD who had never heard of Alpha. I huffed at him and said then he may as well have never heard of Rolex! Hey I have pride in our group buy! Thanks LT Dan! Panerai Luminor Marina in Blue. #296 out of 600. This one prompted my first really big post here. Loved the entire purchase experience. I love that when I shake this watch I can feel the rotor inside. My first souvenir of Qatar, 2006. Rolex TT GMT II Anniv. What can I say, this is one amazing watch! Purchased as a Christmas present to myself. You were all with me in spirit when I got it 3 weeks after getting the Panerai. Rolex SS GMT II. Purchased at Mayor's in International Plaza, August 2006. Sorta rushed it thanks to the looming price hike. It was nice to get back into Rolex again. Could not decide between this and the SD. Pondered for half an hour and the salesman was fine with that. Thank's Brad! Hamilton Ventura, purchased in 1998 right when I got back from Bosnia. I had six months of paychecks waiting for me when I got back so I went to MCSE school, got a car and a house, got married, and wanted a souvenir from my favorite movie: Men in Black. This is one of the 20 watches actually used in the film. I don't know which one or if it even saw the silver screen. I paid a premium for its prop status and wear it with pride. That's what it's for! US Mint State Quarter watch. This one is from NC. I got assigned there to Ft Bragg in 1985 and a few times since then. Great base. Met a woman from there, married her and bought all NC stuff where ever I went. Made plan to retire there. May still do that, can't blame the state for one bad egg. This one has the Wright Brothers flight on it and a quarter as the back plate. You can still get them online at usmint.gov. Nikon F3 Shutter dial watch. Found this in a magazine ad in 1989 and loved it since I shot with the F3HP at the time. Bought it on the spot right over the phone. Bigger image can be found here if you are so inclined to glance around. Well that's what I have. Back to searching for stuff for JJ's house! Last edited by astcell; 2 February 2007 at 11:15 AM..

2 February 2007, 07:44 AM	#4
JJ Irani Fondly Remembered Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: JJ Location: Auckland, NZ Watch: ALL SOLD!! Posts: 74,319	BRAVO!! What a superb collection, Robert. Naturally, the new GMT-II would have to be the pick of the lot!! __________________ Words fail me in expressing my utmost thanks to ALL of you for this wonderful support during my hour of need!! I firmly believe that my time on planet earth is NOT yet up!! I shall fight this to the very end.......and WIN!!

2 February 2007, 07:45 AM	#5
Otis "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2006 Real Name: Urs Location: QLD AU Watch: Omega x 2 Posts: 2,046	Very nice collection there Robert. Well rounded, and you know what the best part is..... each watch is important to you & has a great story behind it! Wear them all with pride __________________ Rock the Casbah!

2 February 2007, 02:12 PM	#10
Launch Mini "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Real Name: John Location: Canada, eh Watch: can I? Posts: 6,240	That is a great collection, and being that each one is special, makes the collection more "valuable" to you __________________ Something witty to go here. Member # 293

2 February 2007, 07:08 PM	#12
mailman TRF Moderator & SUBMARINER 2024 Patron Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: . Watch: 126610LN Posts: 35,458	Great collection and stories Robert Each and every one means something to you which is cool. Thanks for serving and keeping us safe __________________ JJ

2 February 2007, 07:35 AM	#2
Prince "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Real Name: Allan Location: St. Augustine, FL Watch: Daytona/Sub/GMT/DJ Posts: 20,323	Congrats, Big Man!!! Beautiful collection - especially the GMTs and that "other-worldly" MIB Ventura! BTW, I will be getting in touch with you shortly via PM regarding a "Florida" thing... __________________ Member: Rolex Keeper's Society "You see, you can't please everyone, so you got to please yourself." - Rick Nelson

2 February 2007, 07:41 AM	#3
SeaGoer Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: Pete Location: USA Watch: TT YM, TT GMT IIC Posts: 385	That's a very nice collection! I was looking at the Marina Panerai (the 44mm size) the other day. As I understand they are not going to offer it past 600. I do prefer, though, the 40mm like yours; the 44mm is really, really BIG

2 February 2007, 08:06 AM	#6
President Banned Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: M.Thatcher MP Location: Le Locle Watch: Bear Grylls Posts: 2,913	Nice watches and commentary !

2 February 2007, 11:22 AM	#7
Langnam "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: USA Posts: 966	Hey, Robert: What Otis said!!! Thanks for showing your collection as I can see each watch was bought for very different, but none-the-less important reasons. BTW, thanks for re-upping after your 20 years. Although I don't know you well, I'm quite proud that you continued your service despite knowing you'd be in harm's way. All the best, Marc

2 February 2007, 12:03 PM	#8
amanda Banned Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,380	Great post Robert, your collection is magnificent and as Otis said every item has its own story! Excellent indeed!!

2 February 2007, 02:07 PM	#9
mikey "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: USA Watch: Oysterdate 6694 Posts: 2,713	Looking at your collection and reading your stories has inspired me to collect. Thanks

2 February 2007, 03:05 PM	#11
Solo118 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: USA Watch: Daytona Posts: 6,069	Awesome collection, I love how each one has its own story, More the reason to keep onto them forever!

3 February 2007, 01:43 AM	#13
padi56 "TRF" Life Patron Join Date: Jun 2005 Real Name: Peter Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng Watch: ing you. Posts: 52,825	Great collection and great remarks about the Alpha.Just cannot believe how accurate and well built my PN is. __________________ ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder

3 February 2007, 10:21 AM	#14
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,683	Wonderfull collection! Great background on each!!

4 February 2007, 11:58 AM	#15
Edensknight Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 407	What an outstanding collection with a fine watch suitable for any and every occasion!

14 February 2007, 06:26 AM	#16
astcell "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Robert Location: Angelus Oaks, CA Watch: 116713 Posts: 6,828	Now I gotta add Kermit. ;-)

14 February 2007, 09:11 AM	#17
WES Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Real Name: Bill Location: Massachusetts Watch: Rolex Posts: 245	Nice collection! It's always a nice feeling when it brings back a memory as your putting it on. Bill

14 February 2007, 01:05 PM	#18
Rockrolex TRF Moderator & 2024 SUBMARINER Patron Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: God Location: Washington, D.C. Watch: What do you think? Posts: 37,821	Wonderful collection and wonderful stories to go with each one, Robert. Enjoy them all. __________________ Despite the high cost of living, it's still very popular. *Tosser Cabinet Member* Official Member: 'Perpetual 30' Vegas International GTG 2016 Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2017 Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2018 Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2019

14 February 2007, 01:09 PM	#19
Alcan 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Al Location: Way Up North Watch: your P's & Q's Posts: 10,473	Great collection, Robert. Sounds like each tells a story. __________________ Member #1,315 I don't want to get technical, but according to chemistry alcohol IS a solution!

31 August 2007, 05:07 PM	#20
astcell "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Robert Location: Angelus Oaks, CA Watch: 116713 Posts: 6,828	This is on another thread but I better keep all my watches in one place so they don't get lost. :-)

1 September 2007, 06:21 AM	#21
HDHNTER "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Real Name: Allen Location: SC Posts: 2,766	Very nice collection & thread, thanks for the enjoyable read __________________ Instagram @HDHNTER

5 September 2007, 06:13 PM	#22
jasonbellevue "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Real Name: Jason Location: at home Posts: 5,098	Great story behind a beautiful collection you have there Robert. I love that Alpha white face Tourbillon! Thanks for sharing! __________________

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