New Member - Happy to be Here

[belk7]

I am a recent member of the forum and would like to take a few lines here to let all of you know just how extraordinary TRF and its community of members are. The depth of knowledge of forum members and their enthusiasm for sharing that knowledge is something that no one should take for granted.

I will share a few things about me and my interest in better timepieces for those who may be interested. My first quality watch was purchased around 20 years ago and was a fairly modest Omega Constellation quartz dress watch. I wore this watch exclusively for many years, and its current condition is a testament to its status as my every day timepiece. The real turning point in my love of watches occurred in 1999, with a gift from my father. He passed along to me a Constellation that he purchased himself in 1961, and an Elgin pocket watch from 1917 that belonged to my grandfather. Both watches were used literally for decades, and show all of the battle scars from having been used throughout the course of everyday living. The Constellation has a 17 million movement number, indicating its manufacture around 1959 and has a SS case, convex dial, and beads of rice bracelet. My only disappointment with the watch is that at some point in its life, the dial was rather poorly refinished. The pocket watch was in horrible shape, and I really didn’t hold out much hope for it. However, I was able to find a local watchmaker who personified everything good and honorable about his profession. I’m sorry to say that he passed away several years ago, but his refurbishment of this watch (and especially the dial) is a tremendous legacy of his skill and professionalism. While neither of these watches is particularly valuable in the traditional sense, they represent irreplaceable value to me personally. Having something that both my father and grandfather used daily as young men is something I will continue to cherish. That, I think, is the real value of well-made timepieces-the fact that these mechanisms are with us marking time throughout all of the events, both large and small. A corny sentiment, but one that I think some of you will understand.

Since that time, I have purchased a JLC Master Reserve, a TAG 6000 series quartz (as well as an Aquaracer for my wife), a Speedy Pro, and a two-tone Sub 16613. I think the blue dial and bezel on the Sub is absolutely gorgeous, and I find that I never get tired of “checking the time” when it’s on my wrist. I am a true fan of Rolex, and am fascinated by the history of the brand and all of the small details of each successive model. I am a neophyte when compared with most of you, but I am learning more every day.

I am currently intrigued by Panerai (I’ve noticed this is a somewhat polarizing brand among several members, but cut me some slack – I’m new here). I am also completely taken by the GMTIIc. A PAM may be in the not-too-distant future, with the GMT a bit further on the horizon.

If you’ve read this far, then thank you for giving me a some of your time. I will never be one of your most prolific posters, but I will continue to read, learn, and weigh in from time to time when I feel I have a reasonably sensible opinion on a topic. As soon as I figure out how to take a decent photo with my cheap compact camera, I’ll post pics of the two legacy pieces for any old pocket watch and Omega enthusiasts.