Journey to my first Rolex...

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It's the weekend and my fiance is outta town, so I'm bored...

So I thought, since Rolex is the last brand that I have acquired, it may be interesting for me to backtrack and "journey" through my watch collections...

Many many people started off with Rolex as their "expensive" or "high-end" watch collections. For many reasons, i.e. brand name, design, classic looks, and perhaps simply resale-ability.

But me? I have always disliked a rolex (that was a thing of the past though..), for many personal reasons. I always thought they have too many fakes (most maybe) around, then their looks is a bit oldies for me, and so on and so on. Also, in the past, many rolex designs are in the 36mm, a small side for me.

So my first watch, that I managed to acquire, with my own hard-earned money, was a Panerai 104... I don't have the picture anymore now, since I traded it up.

I've had the 104 for so long I can remember...



The second watch that I have acquired, is my IWC Portofino.

I liked the watch for it's clean and simple design, it's a bit on the small side (39mm), but since it's all face (no bezel and such), it doesn't look that small... It serves as my dress watch, and perhaps more formal occassions.



The third watch that I got was my Panerai 312, this I traded up with my Panerai 104. Why did I chose 312 over 104? MANY reasons, better body design, that "classic" look, larger crownguard, slightly domed crystal, and so on... This watch also started my strap craze, I have collected at least 5 alligator straps from Panerai's catalogue, and other calf and third party straps.

The one pictured here is the most recent strap I purchased, the nubuck alligator strap.



The fourth watch I managed to purchase was a used - but in pristine condition Cartier Santos 100XL. This watch instantly replaced my IWC as my formal watch. It shoes better masculinity, oozes more expensive aura, and to me, the design is just striking. However, I still use my portofino every now and then, but it gets less usage now... :)



The fifth watch I got was my Zenith El Primero T-Open. I got it used in pristine condition... I always loved the open heart and hi-beat movement of the Zenith... its just beautiful to look at. And considering I got at almost half the price of a brand new one, it was simply impossible to resist!



The sixth watch I got after a long long long long saving time, was the fiddy. The "holy grail" for many paneristis. I got in good condition, almost pristine, but I had to get the strap restored. It was not in very good shape. The one pictured here is with a newly replaced cashmere original fiddy strap.



The seventh watch I got was my Jaeger Le Coultre Master World Time. Why did I like it? Simply because of it's complication... it has AM/PM indicator "inner bezel" that turns, it has a second time zone, it was world "inner bezel" indicator, date, and power reserve... What more could I ask for? Besides, I always knew I had to have a Jaeger some day, and this was the most suitable for me. It's soft subtle silver dial is also very nice to look at.



The eighth watch I acquired was my Bell & Ross BLU limited edition of 500 pcs. I got this from a friend, like new in box. I don't really know why I bought it firstly, but then I figured it goes extremely well with my tattered jeans and Tees. Especially, I have ALOT of light blue / light turquoise t-shirts. It's always been my tattered jeans watch. I like it's macho-ness. Despite its size of 46mm, I've gotten used to it! :)



The ninth and tenth watch that I acquired was a brand new Datejust II SS. The dial looks soooooo nice, I just had to have it. With it, started my Rolex craze, within the same week I also purchased a mint (but used) GMT II Coke bezel... (The coke is a previous week picture, I didn't re-take the photo since I left it at my fiance's place at the moment)...





And now... I'm craving for a SS Yatch Master (largest size) with platinum dial! I just visited my AD and almost made the purchase... but I'm holding off abit. I if I do purchase it, it'll be my third rolex in like six weeks. Holy COW!

I never knew Rolex would be...

So addictive...

I mean I love all my watches that I posted above, but never ever have I come across wanting multiple watches with this much eagerness from the same brand...

Bravo Rolex.

PS: Thanks for reading... and sorry if my picture taking are still not up to par to many people here. :)