14 watches. 27 years. Collection complete

[Randy9999]

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

Collection complete.

So you say, Steve.

[Uggi]

Originally Posted by paxjedi

this

Bizarre post. Were you replying in the wrong thread?

[ganagati]

Originally Posted by Uggi

Bizarre post. Were you replying in the wrong thread?

I think somebody made it through the first couple pages, and bought into the skepticism without seeing that there were a subsequent 58 pages of something.

[Speedy_sam]

Cool thread. Finally finished it. Very nice to read about your experiences with Rolexes as functional devices and not a device to flex in one's BMW/Porsche/Audi/Ferrari cockpit.

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by taham

Took me three days, but finished reading it now. Amazing stories and watches; Steve! Can't imagine how it's been actually going through the highs and lows you've been through.

As I'm from Norway myself I'm curious to know where you've travelled around here? And if you ever come back you should check out Hjorundfjord. It's fjord with surrounded by beautiful peaks. Alot of english climbers (Patchell, Slingsby, Reaburn etc) spent their time around here in the 1860's.

I will post a picture of my Rolex when I'm able to buy one in a few years

Hi, mainly around the Jostedalsbreem area.

[Roli4life]

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

Been on many travels/adventures myself as a former military contractor. That old profession led me to collecting watches myself.
I wish I had the foresight back then to take some cool wrist shots to catalog memories with those first watches.
I also wish I didn’t sell some of them.

Best thread I have seen on here by the way!

[Megamoss]

Let's see some pics.

[paxjedi]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

Is this humor I don't understand, or did you really only make it to post #4?

It was a joke in response to another joker. Jeeezzz...
I actually bought his book.



.

[paxjedi]

Originally Posted by Uggi

Bizarre post. Were you replying in the wrong thread?

I was responding in jest to another poster in the CORRECT thread.
I actually bought his book because my wife used to ride horses.


.

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by paxjedi

I was responding in jest to another poster in the CORRECT thread.
I actually bought his book because my wife used to ride horses.


.

The book was amazing.


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[vika01]

You could have said 500 watches too. Since you have no pics.

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by vika01

You could have said 500 watches too. Since you have no pics.

There are many pictures, you just have to find them. Here’s just a few….

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

That's the last of the 'old' style expedition watches.

New Explorer.

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

Explorer 2. Black dial on NATO strap. On another expedition to Antarctica...

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

Just one more image. GMT at the South Pole.

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

Explorer 2.

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

Explorer.

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

One for Sunday best..

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

Something different.

IWC. Spitfire.

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

Expedition watch for the sea...

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

Not actually posted a decent picture of my a GMT yet, do her it is.



It has been on ice caps in Norway, Greenland and Antarctica, including the South Pole.

In some way this is I think the quintessential Rolex tool and expedition watch, it's featured on more polar related rolex adverts, (strange in a way as you would think the explorer 2 would have been..)

But it's more versatile than the explorer 2; it's a little less rugged, a bit more refined I think.

The rotatable bezel means you can time legs on walks, and makes it easier to measure the second time zone.



Love it...

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

So here is the second to last watch..

Inherited and treasured. It does not get much air time.

Patek made the first chronograph, and this was the largest case they had made at the time.

5070...

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

Here is the group shot. Couldn't not do it now!



Left to right...and expeditions/history. Notes.



1.submariner. Date. First watch bought. It's been to Iceland, Norway, greenland, South America. Had several services.

2.Deep Sea. No expedition history.

3. Sea Dweller. Antarctic.

4. Explorer 1. My dad's old watch. Been to Norway and Iceland.

5. Explorer 2. Norway.

6. Explorer 2. Black dial. Norway and Antarctica.

7. GMT 2. Antarctica. Engraved on back with South Pole enscription.

8. Explorer 1. (New) no expedition history other than UK expeditions.

9. Patek 5227. Last watch bought. Used as everyday watch. Already scratched in several place

10. Explorer 2. (New) White dial, default watch for work at present. No overseas history

11. Explorer 2. (New) Black dial, admired a lot. Going to Iceland this summer and greenland next summer.

12. Patek 5172g. With brown leather strap; looks better than the black. Only UK travel.

13. Patek 5070. Special occasions. My dad's watch.

14. IWC spitfire. A present from my dad when I got to the pole.





So that's that. It has taken me 27 years, and I would not buy another watch. Over the years I have had a Daytona and Panerias, yet in the end I have focused on the 'expedition' watches.

All the Rolexes are from the same AD who is now a friend!

Patek is not a brand I ever wanted as they are so expensive, but my dad left me the 5070. Owning one you realise how special they are.

They are from the same AD- different one to the Rolex.. And he to is a friend; and in June am off to Patek for a two day your of the factory!!



Each watch is scratched and chipped, done more than others; they all get scratched on the top right at 2 o'clock when used in anger..

But they are the history of my life and travels.



That's what watches are for; not just for recording the time; but our own travel through that time.



Steve.

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

And the case back..

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

The Sea Dweller. Perhaps the most perfect expedition watch ever made.

On tour in Africa..

Sent from my Apple privacy invasion product

[kultschar]

Hilarious how many newcomers comment on this thread and clearly have not read it at all

[sideswipe]

Can we see the collection? Or at least get ref numbers? dang

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by sideswipe

Can we see the collection? Or at least get ref numbers? dang

Sent from my Apple privacy invasion product

[sideswipe]

Originally Posted by kultschar

Hilarious how many newcomers comment on this thread and clearly have not read it at all

Why not add the info/pics to the original post so we dont have to search through the thread? Is that not possible?

[alpharulez]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

There are many pictures, you just have to find them. Here’s just a few….





















































Sent from my Apple privacy invasion product

I hope new posters read this one before commenting…! Thank you MrGoat. And OP…just wow! Great collection.


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[Ringhio]

This thread is probably one of the best of this forum.
Every time it comes back it’s so nice to read it again.
Thanks to the OP for sharing his pictures, his watches and his incredible life.

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by Ringhio

This thread is probably one of the best of this forum.
Every time it comes back it’s so nice to read it again.
Thanks to the OP for sharing his pictures, his watches and his incredible life.

Well said. So great. Such learning on Many topics. OPs book is fabulous too


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[Uggi]

Originally Posted by sideswipe

Why not add the info/pics to the original post so we dont have to search through the thread? Is that not possible?

No. Then it wouldn’t be the great thread that it is.
You’re missing the point.

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by sideswipe

Why not add the info/pics to the original post so we dont have to search through the thread? Is that not possible?

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[JerBear]

Full range of emotions with this thread! Thank you for sharing your life's story, Steve.

If you ever journey to New Orleans (can be a dangerous expedition in some parts of the city ), I would be honored to wine and dine you!

In the meantime, is it too late to purchase a signed copy of "The Return Journey"?

Cheers,
Jerry

[Bayarea7]

Is this post in the metaverse lol?

[richard371]

WTF did I just stumble on to? As I add fuel to the fire lol.

[mquarter]

Read this thread from start to finish. Now every time I see the Explorer II Polar I think of Steve and this thread. What an absolute embodiment of the watch.

[henrylee]

Originally Posted by mquarter

Read this thread from start to finish. Now every time I see the Explorer II Polar I think of Steve and this thread. What an absolute embodiment of the watch.

Synopsis please

[Doc Savage]

Originally Posted by henrylee

Synopsis please

That would ruin it for you. Reading the book is always better than the cliff notes.

Somebody earlier said they always think of this thread when they see a Polar Explorer II. I am the same way. I never really dug that watch until I read this thread. It also reminds me of how many cool places around the world I took my five digit Sub. I have only a few pictures of it on those adventures because I didn't know about the "wrist shot" back then. I'm so glad that Steve did!

[Presa canary]

Just bought the Op’s book and read this thread thru it’s entirety. I vaguely remember when this thread started all those years ago. I don’t post here often anymore, but do lurk sometimes. Great thread that reminds us all of the measurement of time, the beauty and pain of life and to get out and there and live it. Thanks Steve

[amanbra]

This thread was incredible. I thought it was a troll post at the start lol.

[cop414]

Originally Posted by amanbra

This thread was incredible. I thought it was a troll post at the start lol.

As did others, fabulous thread.