Been thinking this one through, and as I have 36 watches at the moment I'm trying to think how I'd make do with just one non-affordable.
Which I can't. So here's my minimum non-affordable list to replace my existing 34 affordables and 2 non-affordables. Oh, and the total replacement value of my collection (just counted it all up) is $15,000. The ten non-affordables below come to a heady $40,000.
But does anyone think I'd ever let go of my Chinese collection? Really? No way.
Ric
Tag Heuer Jack Heuer 80th Birthday Special Edition $4,000-5,000 - saw this whilst wandering around the posh watch section of an expensive Lisbon department store (Court Anglais) and was smitten at first sight. If there'd been enough headroom on my credit card at the time, I'd bought it then and there and seen if I'd have regretted it later. Capucho's are impulsive creatures, but not that day.
Vintage Heuer Monaco CAW211D $5,000-6,000 - the existing Steve McQueen is lovely, but why pay $5,000 for a reissue when yer can have a mint original for the same price? Note the left-handed crown that tells yer this isn't yet another Valjoux 7750 inside.
Omega Seamaster Professional 2254.50 (discontinued model) $2,000-2,500 - I'm surprised how much I like this watch, considering I'm not a submariner type of chap. Lovely, innit? And that bonkers dodecagonal case (word used to fox Vail) is just unique. Must have, will have.
Vintage Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch 145.012 Cal. 321 $3,000-4,000 - similar point, why pay the same for a modern version when yer can have the original domed acrylic beauty for the same dosh?
Omega Speedmaster Professional Mitsukoshi Special Edition $4,000-5,000 - ahh, now this one's hen's teeth. Probably best getting myself a 3573.50 (the hesalite glass one with the display back) and a repro Mitsukoshi dial and getting my tame watchmaker to swap it in.
Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope $2,000 - just look at it. Just. Look. At. It. Look at it! Look!
Rolex Explorer I 214270 $5,500 - the only way I'll ever let go of me Smiths Everest.
Jaeger leCoultre Master Control Memovox $8,000 - sigh... The black-dialled "Tribute to Polaris" is even lovelier, but twice the already insane price; but not twice as gorgeous.
Glashütte Original Sixties Panorama Date $6,000 - Glashütte have a few of these Sixties models now, but the blue-dial's the stunner of an already stunning bunch.
Panerai Radiomir PAM00337 $7,000 - I know, I know. Seven grand for a bloody Radiomir. But if I'm honest, it was a Radiomir homage that got me into this whole WIS mess in the first place. So here's the real thing, but... it's more modest 42mm case ain't gonna stretch my shoulder muscle like the usual 45-47mm monsters. The design is popular for a reason; it's timeless.