Why we collect?

I am sure many of us have seen this video but here is a reminder.....

Time Machines

Been away....

I have been away for some time for a break but am now back in action. Hope to make some changes to the blog as I have been reflecting on the collection and where I am heading. Basically I am done with the culling and have basically stop collecting. However the blog will continue. 

My Tudor collection

I am actually blogging from my new house. The shift has been a long drawn process, with issues with both houses. The new landlord is very particular and wants the house to be perfect and the weather is not helping the shift as well. Anyway, it progresses.

Back to watches. I do like the watches from Tudor (and Rolex) and have accumulated a small collection, if you consider 4 pieces a collection. Each watch in the collection has a story behind it. So here is my small Tudor watch collection, starting from the smallest to the largest.

The Prince Date, reference 74000. The watch comes in at 34mm. I got this watch pre-loved. The reason I got the watch is because it looks like the Tudor Ranger. I would love to get the Tudor Ranger but it is not an easy watch to find (and not forgetting it is minefield when it comes to the Ranger). I got it  at a price and the best part about it is that it is complete with box and papers.

The Tudor Prince Date Day, reference 76200. This one comes in at 36mm. I got this watch pre-loved as well. I had one before but traded it in for a Panerai. The watch is almost brand new and I got this very cheap (almost half price). The watch is dated this year (it is that new). I love the California dial and this is the other option since the Italian version is very very expensive. 

The Tudor Submariner, reference 7016/0. This watch is 40mm. I had another Tudor Submariner in the 9411/0. I prefer my watches without the cyclops so I sold it. It has gone to a good home. It took a long time for me to get this watch. The owner was reluctant to sell the watch and it took me almost 2 months to persuade him. Add 1 month it spent in RSC for serial number verification, it took me 3 months to get the watch. It was worth it. It is currently on a leather strap which I think matches the patina on the hands and dial. 

Finally the Tudor Heritage Chronograph, reference M70330N. This watch is 43mm in diameter, the largest in the collection. There was no intention to get this watch. We were on holiday when I was offered this watch. The selling point was the price. It was very low (for a new piece and from the AD). I suspect it is because of the black dial. Most people prefer the gray dial version as it is the one in the advertisement. Additionally, it is not common knowledge that the black dial was also issued at the same time as the gray version but in smaller number. I think that it is happening again. 

I am very happy with the collection and it will stay this way for a long, long time. The only addition I would consider is if a M.N. Tudor Submariner was offered to me. That also is depending on the price. 

Some new photography attempts

I don't think they are as good as the last batch but there goes....

This is my favourite.

Solvil ET Titus

I have a watch from Solvil ET Titus. I don't know much about the watch and a search in the Internet did not reveal much, in fact nothing at all. Anyway I like the watch and will be sending the watch to my friendly neighbourhood watch guy for a service and cleanup. Perhaps I will use it as my daily beater. It is a basic 3 hand watch with day and date complication.

The watch.

I had a look inside the watch and this is what I found out. The watch is powered by an ETA 2066 automatic 3 Hz (21,600 Ah) 17 jewel movement. The rotor is signed Solvis ET Titus. 

The movement. 

The movement holder is metal. That is a nice touch. 

The gasket, long overdue. :)

The watch needs a good cleaning as well. Lots of grime and DNA.

Even the crown (and winding stem) needs a good cleaning and service.

The case and dial. I like the 2 level dial. Looks like a TV screen.

We will see what my watch guy can do. 

Keyrings

I have always wanted to get the key rings from Panerai but somehow I never got them. I have gotten other things from them but never the key rings. Perhaps it is because I buy my watches from all over the place (and in recent times I have gotten pre-loved pieces).

This changed however, courtesy of another Paneristi. Now I have 2 of the 3 key rings that I know Panerai has issued. Thank you.

The key rings.

The older leather Panerai key ring.

The newer (not newest) blue rope key ring.

As with anything Panerai, the is always a model number. :)

Now one more to go, the latest leather key ring with the Panerai buckle. Who knows, maybe I might lucky.

BEGIN Japanology

An interesting video on Watches and Clocks by NHK. 

Begin Japanology Watches and Clocks

Thank you 'm102486' for the video.