How I arrived at Rolex via 30 other watches! (Pic Heavy)

[wishywatchy]

Hi guys,

I was looking through my Imageshack account and was intrigued at the steady progression I have had though my watch ownership and how I have happily arrived at Rolex via numerous other brands. Im sure most people have a story similar to mine and can relate, so here we go!

I started my obssession (by that I mean when I started buying watches for myself) at age 21, up to that point I had a Seiko Kinetic. I bought a TAG Heuer F1 Chrono, then a TAG Heuer Carrera. Both were sold a couple of years later as started a thing for boutique divers, first came this:



Then this:



Followed by this:



These three were my main stable for a year or so until I decide on the first of many changes or direction, I wanted one do everything tool watch. So I sold these three and bought this:



Although I loved the CA i found titanium a little dull and wanted a steel watch again, so off with the Breitling and in with my first Omega:





The Great White was awesome and I would love another, but at the time I decide I couldnt live with just one watch, unfortunetely I was skint so I sold the the GW and bought a Steinhart (to feed my already rampant Rolex fetish) and a the Helson Shark Diver back from the guy I had sold it to!:





I was happy with these to for 6 months or so, but it was time for a change. The Steinhart was nice and as a Rolex look a like (but not a copy) its great, but just not a Rolex, which by now was my obsession. I sold the SH and the Helson (again!) and I bought my second Omega:



Which I sold a week later to fund my third Omega:



The PO was good but TBH it was too big at 45.5mm to wear everyday so I added a quartz seamaster to wear for work:



I got fed up with the PO and decide to swap it for a TAG Aquagraph, which I loved:





The seamaster made way for this:



Then I added this:



and then this!:



At this point I feel I had a nice collection, but I decided that a Tudor Sub might feed my Rolex hunger so I sold them all and bought this:



Having got the Tudor I had an offer of this Graham which was a chance to own one of my favorite watches ever, so the Tudor went (which I now regret, as I am chasing another) for this:



I added this Doxa shortly after:



Followed by these two as every day beaters:





Then I picked this one up, another I regret selling:



So at this point I have 5 watches that cover all bases. But I dont have a Rolex and this was bugging me, so I decided to sell up and put all my money into a Rolex. This was a decision I did not take lightly and I agonised over it for weeks. But I decided a Rolex was the way to go and as they say I havent looked back since. This 60's Datejust was on my wrist for a year 365/24/7:





I was really happy with the DJ however the oppotunity reared its head for me to buy my Dad's 16713 GMT. So I worked all the overtime available and sold the DJ to buy this a 1991 16713:







Now im happy, I wont sell the 16713 (I dont think!) as it has sentimental value as well as looking great.

I think I will add a second Rolex in a couple of years, but I wont fund by selling the 16713, just by hardwork and saving.

[Trouble15]

Great looking GMT, congrats on your journey!!! I agree you should never sell that 16713.

[wishywatchy]

Originally Posted by Trouble15

Great looking GMT, congrats on your journey!!! I agree you should never sell that 16713.

It has been a journey, some ups and some downs but always plenty of fun!

[Keeperoftime]

Originally Posted by Trouble15

Great looking GMT, congrats on your journey!!! I agree you should never sell that 16713.

+1

Thanks for sharing.

[Dan Pierce]

Wow, that's a long way 'round the barn.
dP

[Cru Jones]

that was a fun pictorial with an excellent ending. thanks.

[caryyee]

Wow, that's a lot of watches you gone thru! of your non-Rolex's, I love the Tudor, there's a nice simple quality to it, that should of been a keeper too! :-)

[Lavajava14]

What I like about your story is all the hard work you out behind in funding your passion for watches.
I just find it ridiculous sometimes to read and see about twenty year olds and their Pateks or Rolexes (mostly Asian forums)...yours is a refreshing story. Congrats!

[wishywatchy]

Originally Posted by Lavajava14

What I like about your story is all the hard work you out behind in funding your passion for watches.
I just find it ridiculous sometimes to read and see about twenty year olds and their Pateks or Rolexes (mostly Asian forums)...yours is a refreshing story. Congrats!

Yep, its taken a while for me to get here, I havent got the cash to go out and buy a new Rolex like some people have. I have had to work my way up from nothing. But now im here it feels great!

[zak98]

nice post! great gmt! (love the omega PO though!) thanks for sharing.

[Bangel]

Great post.

What an interesting horological path you've trodden so far.

You've certainly owned some diverse timepieces. I would've found it hard letting some of those go. That 16713 you have now looks fantastic.

It will be just as fascinating to see where the rest of your horological journey leads to!

[wishywatchy]

Originally Posted by Bangel

Great post.

What an interesting horological path you've trodden so far.

You've certainly owned some diverse timepieces. I would've found it hard letting some of those go. That 16713 you have now looks fantastic.

It will be just as fascinating to see where the rest of your horological journey leads to!

Thanks! It has been tough to sell a few, the Great White and the Graham are two of my favourite watches and I would love to own them again someday when the funds become available!

Actually the Kemmner is the one I regret the most, as in monetry terms it didnt cost that much but I loved it.

[impalass]

Nice journey, sounds like you had some fun with it, thanks for sharing.

[Sean.c]

Wow what an amazing story with pics! I really enjoyed that! Hope more people do this!

[ecsub44]

That's an astounding progression.

[Psmith]

Interesting thread James - thanks for taking us on the journey

[Gharddog03]

Cool journey.

[FremStar]

Awesome pictorial!

[drockadam]

Great journey! The 16713 is an incredible watch! I love putting my father's P Serial on a black NATO!

[Brenngun]

Nice pictures of what must have been a fun journey. Can't wait to see where you go from here.

[mtrunner]

Nice journey. I am guessing it is far from over from the looks of it.

[Speed]

Love that great white. I wanted one for quite sometime. The wavy dial pattern on that watch and the Black dial Seamaster 2254 is very nice.

[Monte Cristo]

Nice journey coupled by nice pics. Thanks for sharing.

[velobran]

I love the journeys involved with obtaining a great piece. Happens in other areas of wants too - like bicycles and furniture.

[Doctorsti]

Nice story and never sell that 16713! I may have to update my "journey" thread with pics as it really adds to the great story you had. Wonderful path you took especially the Seikos!

[mjclark32]

What a journey!
Congrats on the gmt and all those in between

[77T]

Good story - the GMT should serve well until you want a Daytona!

I think Newton's law about a body in motion will take over soon....

[kcmo]

Looks like you've had a lot of fun along the way, which is what this hobby is all about! Great photos!

[HongNinja]

Nice progression! Mine was kinda similar.... Once I hit Rolex though, there's been no looking back. Hard to go any other way now.

Although, I do want some Omega and PAM in my life, but Rolex is the mainstay.

[nauticajoe]

That's a great journey.