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Can You Be A ¡®Serious¡¯ Watch Collector On A Budget?
Sponsored PostTo read the reports from SIHH (Salon International de la Haute Horologerie) or the latest auction headlines, you would think that watch collecting is the preserve of the super-rich. Prices with four, five or even six zeros seem to be the norm and those non-millionaires amongst us can feel reduced to observer status only.So what can you buy if your pockets are not so deep? The good news is that there is a lot of fun to be had in the shallow end. There are "serious" watches of significance that can be bought for less than the price of a quartz fashion piece.The restless drive for innovation pursued by watch companies has left a trail of "firsts" and these are a good place to start for the cost-conscious collector. An example of the first ever automatic wristwatch, the Harwood from the late 1920s can be bought for less than ¡ê300.The technological turbulence of the 1950s and 60s provides fertile ground for "firsts." If you can bear to wear anything powered by a battery, try a

A Week On The Wrist: The Zenith El Primero Reference A3817
If you have been following HODINKEE, you might agree with us that Zenith is a manufacturer that produces some of the more value-for-money watches these days. There are few totally in-house chronograph movements that can be had for just around $10,000, and which come in such a variety of dial and case designs ranging from sporty, to totally classic, to something in-between. Most modern watch collectors would probably also recognize the distinctive tri-color dial, especially with the recent lineup of watches such as the Zenith El Primero 36,000 VPH or El Primero Original 1969. And as most of you might know, the tri-colored dial originates from the Zenith El Primero ref A386, a watch produced in 1969 with the (arguably) first high-beat automatic chronograph. 1 OF 15 But did you know that the reference A386 was not the only watch in the El-Primero family with the tri-color dial? There was one other, less well known cousin to the ref A386, which has a more interestingly design

* * * * * * It is NEVER TOO EARLY to plan a GTG...here is the next one....* * * * * *
...as many of you know, we have started a trend in 2006 that brought many WISfrom all around the world even closer. Some guys just jump in the car and get there,(some lucky ones just take a cab or subway)…but many have boarded the planesor crossed the oceans !Not that GTG’s are something new, but I think that back in 2006 we started something very special.Something that brings this great watch enthusiasts community even closer and something thatis actually ‘way’ beyond watches. I am glad that watches are my hobby ! Because of them I havemet many great people whom I am proud to call my friends now !What started innocently in fall of 2006 is now slowly but surely becoming a tradition.By now we had 2 nice autumn meetings in Tampa and two in spring that took place in New York.In-between these larger events several of us met in Las Vegas, London or Basel, but somewhatthe FALL/TPA and SPRING /NYC meetings that are 6 months apart are becoming the events that we hope w

incoming golden delight
had been looking out for this 15450BA for some time now, and lucky enough to find one at a price i couldn't say no to.couldn't be more thrilled.the feel of it on the wrist is simply WOW.i thought the 36mm president felt impressive...this is another level altogether.unfortunately, i will need to figure out which few pieces need to be moved out of the collection in order to keep this one around. will post some comparo shots later on.but had to put it on the wrist for immediate satisfaction.

Glorious Journey
Greetings TRF members. Been a lurker for quite some time and have appreciated the opportunity to research and narrow down my search for the perfect 1st Rolex. My beautiful wife and I are currently in the Caribbean celebrating our 24th wedding anniversary when out of the blue this morning, she presents me with something nearly as beautiful as her, a gorgeous white faced DateJust II with fluted bezel on an oyster bracelet.My heart stopped and the tears welled up as I opened the present and realized what was before my eyes. The exact watch I have zeroed in on after much research with a beautiful wife/mother who continues to get joy from giving joy.Thankful to God for the perfect woman in my life who pays attention. As usual, this has been in the works between her and my two daughters for at least 6 months as it sat idle in the safe, only seeing the light of day long enough for my girls to take a picture with the watch on their wrist and a big smile months ago!Grateful today on my 24th ann