14 watches. 27 years. Collection complete

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by Prestige_Swiss

Book arrived today. Can’t wait to dive in this weekend





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[Mananan]

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.

WOW! Reading this thread and specifically this post has totally changed my perspective on my limited watch collecting to date. I am now going to wear my watches more and not be so precious about them! Thanks Steve.

[fooey]

Originally Posted by Robbyman

no pics so ten thousand watches in million years and still not complete here.

I call custard (to those in the US it means show the watches in a photo you have taken with a tin of custard so we know it happened)

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by Mananan

WOW! Reading this thread and specifically this post has totally changed my perspective on my limited watch collecting to date. I am now going to wear my watches more and not be so precious about them! Thanks Steve.

[cop414]

Hey Steve, great to see you here

[rockdrock]

Originally Posted by kilyung

"Complete" my @ss.

Haha haha! I keep saying that too and then the new comes in.


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[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by cop414

Hey Steve, great to see you here

[jflala]

I owned a sea dweller, my next aim probably an explorer II now!

[Daryl]

still the best Thread here. hello Steve!

[Steve in SoCal]

Just ordered a copy of the book. Happy to support Steve and learn more about his story


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[justintime1986]

great... have fun with them.

[cajerseyboy]

Just ordered as well. Sending a “Thank you” to Steve for sharing his story with us.


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[cop414]

Take your time reading his story, there’s a lot to absorb. It’s a great story that will have you on an emotional roller coaster.

[direwolf]

Thank you Steve for sharing such an inspiring and adventurous life! I remember reading how much you were hoping for a modern steel GMT-2 Pepsi. Did you pick up one yet? It certainly appears dressy on the jubilee, but I think it retains an elegant toughness. I am looking forward to reading your book in the near future. Hope all is well. Cheers.

[AF_Rob]

I thought about this thread the other day, glad to see it bubbled up to the top. Hope you are well, my friend!

[DCheeta]

Hey man, I didn't know that you wrote another book! I'm ordering it, will add it to my library of your complete works.

[SearChart]

Tough story to read, very emotional.
I cannot imagine the mental strength needed to just keep on going like you. I'm sure Kathryn would be very proud!

[Rori]

Your thread and story reminds me of my best friend and national hero Maxime Chaya who’ve been to the 7 summits. “Submitted Everest twice” 2 poles skiing, rowed the Indian Ocean and bicycle crossed the “ The Rub' al Khali ” Empty quarter desert in Saudi Arabia.
One of his books is called STEEP DREAMS.
Can’t wait to have your book Steve

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

[mjg002]

I've not been reading the forum for a while so lovely to see this brilliant thread back - and learn rather belatedly that you have written a book which, based on the excerpts on Amazon, is clearly a very moving "must read". If I can find in a regular book store when I am back in the UK it will be purchased then - and if not, then on Amazon. All the best Steve - hope you are doing well now and that the writing was cathartic.

[edyu]

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

Awesome thread and glad it got bumped and I stuck it out after reading the first couple pages and was wondering what the thread is about.

Thanks for sharing and I wonder whether you got any new watches since.

[riad87]

What a pointless post if your not gnna show pics

[faz]

Just saw this thread again, realized there is a book, went to Amazon and I shall have it by this weekend.

[DCheeta]

Originally Posted by riad87

What a pointless post if your not gnna show pics

You read the first page of a 50-page thread and decided to make a negative comment? Well done.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by riad87

What a pointless post if your not gnna show pics

0/10 for this post.......

[AF_Rob]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

You read the first page of a 50-page thread and decided to make a negative comment? Well done.

Not a good look on his part. He needs to take the time and read through it.

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by riad87

What a pointless post if your not gnna show pics

Wait what??


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[Doc Savage]

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

Thank you to everyone that has bought the book; The Return Journey!

I am truly humbled; as would my wife...

If you like it - be great if you could review it on line where you got it from...

Once again many thanks; it means so much!
Best Steve

Steve,

Like so many others, I came across this thread recently and moved through 5 years of your life in a matter of hours. It's been quite the trip, vicariously experiencing some of your highs and lows, all told via the connection we have with these legendary timepieces...

I was so glad to learn you wrote a book, and I have just ordered it. It will arrive in time for my trip to Boston next week, and it will be my travel companion. I hope to see a few watch photos among the great storytelling!

All levity aside, thank you for sharing your Rolex journey in this thread. Yours is a singular experience, and our lives have been enriched by reading about yours. Often, the online connection between people is insular, but your story was told so humbly, so honestly, that your genuine nature shown through. We don't know each other, but I do feel a connection to you via your story, and I thank you for that.

This thread has, in many ways, restored my faith in our ability to forge friendships with genuinely good people online. With all the nastiness in the world, and especially on the internet, this is an unexpected and wonderful achievement.

Bravo, sir.

Bill

[mjg002]

Could not agree with you more. Such a shame there are also negative comments made by those who can't get beyond the first page or two...

Originally Posted by Doc Savage

Steve,

Like so many others, I came across this thread recently and moved through 5 years of your life in a matter of hours. It's been quite the trip, vicariously experiencing some of your highs and lows, all told via the connection we have with these legendary timepieces...

I was so glad to learn you wrote a book, and I have just ordered it. It will arrive in time for my trip to Boston next week, and it will be my travel companion. I hope to see a few watch photos among the great storytelling!

All levity aside, thank you for sharing your Rolex journey in this thread. Yours is a singular experience, and our lives have been enriched by reading about yours. Often, the online connection between people is insular, but your story was told so humbly, so honestly, that your genuine nature shown through. We don't know each other, but I do feel a connection to you via your story, and I thank you for that.

This thread has, in many ways, restored my faith in our ability to forge friendships with genuinely good people online. With all the nastiness in the world, and especially on the internet, this is an unexpected and wonderful achievement.

Bravo, sir.

Bill

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Tough story to read, very emotional.
I cannot imagine the mental strength needed to just keep on going like you. I'm sure Kathryn would be very proud!

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by Doc Savage

Steve,

Like so many others, I came across this thread recently and moved through 5 years of your life in a matter of hours. It's been quite the trip, vicariously experiencing some of your highs and lows, all told via the connection we have with these legendary timepieces...

I was so glad to learn you wrote a book, and I have just ordered it. It will arrive in time for my trip to Boston next week, and it will be my travel companion. I hope to see a few watch photos among the great storytelling!

All levity aside, thank you for sharing your Rolex journey in this thread. Yours is a singular experience, and our lives have been enriched by reading about yours. Often, the online connection between people is insular, but your story was told so humbly, so honestly, that your genuine nature shown through. We don't know each other, but I do feel a connection to you via your story, and I thank you for that.

This thread has, in many ways, restored my faith in our ability to forge friendships with genuinely good people online. With all the nastiness in the world, and especially on the internet, this is an unexpected and wonderful achievement.

Bravo, sir.

Bill

thanks bill...