14 watches. 27 years. Collection complete

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by 2Redbulls

I'm very glad this thread was resurrected, otherwise I'd never would have found it. Love the pictures of the locations. Now off to the exploration thread...

Love the avatar

[Vishy26]

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

So, thought I would profile each watch in the collection. From first to last. Each watch has its own history. And is the story and part of a journey.

Rolex Submariner Date.

First watch bought. Sold a car to buy it at 18. I choose this one as I was diving at the time, the watch was worn on fives all over the UK. It went through university, officer training, got married with it on. It's bern on expeditions to the Alps, Iceland, Norway and greenland.

It is a classic rolex, in my opinion this version is better than the new ceramic models. It should be in any collection.

Agreed, Steve. Also thanks for sharing. Btw, a little more than three years ago I watched Herbert Ponting's documentary "The Great White Silence (1924) ", after it got restored on Bluray. Understand that it was solely meant to capture the British expedition but disappointed that not much of Amundsen's efforts were mentioned. At the end of it, felt Norwegian expedition was hard hearted and more resourceful. Surely, you must have watched those Herbert Ponting's pictures. What are your thoughts on it? Agreed, Lawrence Oates was a top guy.

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by Vishy26

Agreed, Steve. Also thanks for sharing. Btw, a little more than three years ago I watched Herbert Ponting's documentary "The Great White Silence (1924) ", after it got restored on Bluray. Understand that it was solely meant to capture the British expedition but disappointed that not much of Amundsen's efforts were mentioned. At the end of it, felt Norwegian expedition was hard hearted and more resourceful. Surely, you must have watched those Herbert Ponting's pictures. What are your thoughts on it? Agreed, Lawrence Oates was a top guy.

Cheers. Yes seen the film. Doesn't mention Amundsen hardly at all....
Two different expeditions!
Oates. Legend.

[toomuchtalk]

The Rolex Explorer 2. Black dial.

The second watch I bought. A few years after the submariner. It was in the window of my AD, impulse buy? No, not really. It just called me...
This watch has been on expeditions to Norway, greenland and has been on the polar plateau in Antarctica.
It's had one service.

To me this is the ultimate fly under the radar rolex. It is a small watch by modern standards now. The black dial gives the watch more depth than its white dial cousin. And is more the direct descendant of the original. As its a black dial. The fixed bezel means you are not in danger of it getting stuck. As it doesn't move anyway! In that respect it is a more robust watch than the GMT.
It's smaller size means it's less prone to knocks than the new watch.

[DCheeta]

This thread keeps getting better and better!

So was it the Submariner that helped get you out of that potentially difficult situation in Norway? In the book you just say your "Rolex watch", but considering that was one of your early expeditions I assume it was either the Sub or the black ExpII.

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

This thread keeps getting better and better!

So was it the Submariner that helped get you out of that potentially difficult situation in Norway? In the book you just say your "Rolex watch", but considering that was one of your early expeditions I assume it was either the Sub or the black ExpII.

Hi!
It was the Submariner! And it was greenland
I used the hands on the watch to indicate to a local hunter a pick up time...I didn't speak Inuit and he didn't speak English.
This was in the days before sat phones, and we were in total self rescue situation. Facing a huge expense of open water?

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by Silvio Mosiello

I found out who you are! The jig is up Thanks so much for contributing to this forum and not letting the initial negative attention get to you. What are your thoughts on a skydweller for a expedition a Rolex. Itd be cool for someone traveling all over like you!


Sent from my Motorola Razor

Had a gander at the sky dweller. An amazing watch, but the problem with it for expeditions is its not in steel. That's a deal breaker!
In terms of General travel though, it would be great

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by Archduke

OP great collection and great thread!

Thank you good sir

[toomuchtalk]

Thanks to all that have viewed this thread.

[Beef]

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

The Rolex Explorer 2. Black dial.

The second watch I bought. A few years after the submariner. It was in the window of my AD, impulse buy? No, not really. It just called me...
This watch has been on expeditions to Norway, greenland and has been on the polar plateau in Antarctica.
It's had one service.

To me this is the ultimate fly under the radar rolex. It is a small watch by modern standards now. The black dial gives the watch more depth than its white dial cousin. And is more the direct descendant of the original. As its a black dial. The fixed bezel means you are not in danger of it getting stuck. As it doesn't move anyway! In that respect it is a more robust watch than the GMT.
It's smaller size means it's less prone to knocks than the new watch.

I agree totally with your assessment of the EXP II. And it does really fly under the radar....which probably contributes to it being so under appreciated. I love mine and just picked up another to have PVD/DLC coated. Thanks for resurrecting this thread, Steve, it's truly timeless. (No pun intended!)

[DCheeta]

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

Hi!
It was the Submariner! And it was greenland
I used the hands on the watch to indicate to a local hunter a pick up time...I didn't speak Inuit and he didn't speak English.
This was in the days before sat phones, and we were in total self rescue situation. Facing a huge expense of open water?

Is that the hunter? Awesome photo!

I remember that story too, but I was actually referring to your Norway expedition. The issue of the certain farmer and his hut, and his wife, and your Rolex offered as security...

[theturboman]

Very nice read and even nicer watches

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by Beef

I agree totally with your assessment of the EXP II. And it does really fly under the radar....which probably contributes to it being so under appreciated. I love mine and just picked up another to have PVD/DLC coated. Thanks for resurrecting this thread, Steve, it's truly timeless. (No pun intended!)

Hi beef..
Cheers. Would love to see the PVD explorer!

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

Is that the hunter? Awesome photo!

I remember that story too, but I was actually referring to your Norway expedition. The issue of the certain farmer and his hut, and his wife, and your Rolex offered as security...

No, these two guys are the dog drivers we use on greenland crossings.. Will try and find a picture of the hunter from that trip!

I remember the norway one Now! Yes that was the sub too!

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by theturboman

Very nice read and even nicer watches

Thanks!

[andpassport]

Pics

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by andpassport

Pics

Pics of what?

[sturgeon123456]

Really off the wall question....do you know what breed of dogs are in the photo? They don't look like huskys malamutes?

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by sturgeon123456

Really off the wall question....do you know what breed of dogs are in the photo? They don't look like huskys malamutes?

Hi, Greeland Husky.

[TripleB Boston]

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.

Thanks for sharing Steve, I enjoyed your journeys.

Don't be too hard on the people who gave you a hard time when you first posted. If not for their goading, we would have surely missed out on the opportunity to live your adventures!

Instead this has turned into one of the coolest threads on the forum.

Your friend in time.

Jon

[sturgeon123456]

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

Hi, Greeland Husky.

Thank you very much! They look beautiful!

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by TripleB Boston

Thanks for sharing Steve, I enjoyed your journeys.

Don't be too hard on the people who gave you a hard time when you first posted. If not for their goading, we would have surely missed out on the opportunity to live your adventures!

Instead this has turned into one of the coolest threads on the forum.

Your friend in time.

Jon

Cheers Jon! Good comments. Agree with you, it was a bit hard at first, but I was totally new to the forum and just posted some random thread about completing a collection. In no way did I expect any reaction..

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by sturgeon123456

Thank you very much! They look beautiful!

Cheers!

[toomuchtalk]

This is the third watch I bought. And if I had to keep just one watch, this would be it.
It was used to navigate to the South Pole and is engraved on the case back. The only one I have engraved.
It's been to Antarctica and the South pole, and greenland and Norway.

In many ways, why would you buy an explorer 2, when you could get this? It does the same as an explorer 2, plus you can measure time as the dial rotates. Not as robust, yes; but more versatile.

[phrede]

Hi Steve,
Thanks for delivering these absolutely awesome reads!

You've mentioned the robustness of the beautiful GMT-Master as being a minus. Have you experienced issues with this watch or with some of the others?

All the best,

Frederik


-via iPhone

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by phrede

Hi Steve,
Thanks for delivering these absolutely awesome reads!

You've mentioned the robustness of the beautiful GMT-Master as being a minus. Have you experienced issues with this watch or with some of the others?

All the best,

Frederik


-via iPhone

Hi Frederik,
No, never had an issue with any watch. In reality, on an expedition the watch is tucked away under a cuff. So even at minus 30 the watch is warm- it's inder the jacket and on the skin. So even the bezel does not freeze. And your only doing cross county skiing on flat ground.
Any rolex, and I mean any rolex! Would cope. They are robust watches. And lest face it the GMT is waterproof to 300m- that's very deep, more than any sport diver in the world will normally go to. The deepest I ever dived to was 30m- and that felt deep!

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by sturgeon123456

Thank you very much! They look beautiful!

Cheers!

[toomuchtalk]

The fourth watch.
Rolex Sea Dweller.
This is the ultimate 'tool' watch. Far cooler, far superior and far better than the new version and also the deep sea. Only my opinion guys!
What elevates it is the engraved case back. I always wonder why all roles watches font have the engraving.
Anyway, this watch has been to Antarctica.

[nickb732]

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

The fourth watch.
Rolex Sea Dweller.
This is the ultimate 'tool' watch. Far cooler, far superior and far better than the new version and also the deep sea. Only my opinion guys!
What elevates it is the engraved case back. I always wonder why all roles watches font have the engraving.
Anyway, this watch has been to Antarctica.

Just out of interest, is there any particular reason you regard this Sea Dweller as superior to the SDc and the DSSD?

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by nickb732

Just out of interest, is there any particular reason you regard this Sea Dweller as superior to the SDc and the DSSD?

It's got a lower presence on the wrist. And the depth rating on this one is deeper than a nuclear submarine can go, so why have a deep sea? Yes, it's technical ability to go deep is awesome. But on a trip it's too big: I have owned one, and it gets knocked too easily.
The new sea dweller is great because it's got the new clasp and bracelet. But technology wise it's no better.
So, think this is the best...