Gift for myself. LF common wisdom

[combustable herbage]

If it were me entering a new chapter of life I would consider some sort of education or training in field of interest or something you have always wanted to do/know.

 

[BMW Rider]

I am currently planning a purchase of a quality collectable watch. My reason is due to a small inheritance following the death of my Mom last year. I want to get something meaningful and worthwhile to remember both her and my dad. My choice is a Breitling Chronomat GMT. Not quite as good at holding value as a Rolex, but a bit less expensive and I just really prefer the styling as an all occasion wear, and the GMT feature is great for travel.

I already have three motorcycles, so got I that one covered, though Mom would approve of that choice as she was a rider too. Boats hold no interest for me.

 

[DPittman]

I am currently planning a purchase of a quality collectable watch. My reason is due to a small inheritance following the death of my Mom last year. I want to get something meaningful and worthwhile to remember both her and my dad. My choice is a Breitling Chronomat GMT. Not quite as good at holding value as a Rolex, but a bit less expensive and I just really prefer the styling as an all occasion wear, and the GMT feature is great for travel.

I already have three motorcycles, so got I that one covered, though Mom would approve of that choice as she was a rider too. Boats hold no interest for me.

Here is one for you.

There is a couple of cheese heads talking about the style Yada Yada and they don't go into the making of it all either. I couldn't find any videos showing any of the manufacturing or intricacies of the watch but it has to be really quite something.

Unfortunately a "small inheritance" would only likely get you a LOOK at the watch. I read it's worth $8 million, which is beyond insane on all levels in my world.

 

[Gennady]

I read it's worth $8 million, which is beyond insane on all levels in my world.

As many things in this world - watches became an item to display a status rather then just a timepiece. In this case the sky is only the limit.
I heard that banks are buying a Rolexes and storing them in safe for the future . It is already became a commodity

 

[Mcgyver]

With expensive watches like a Rolex the movements are about $500 (otto frei used to sell them) ..... the rest is jewelry and fashion and you know what the retail markup is on jewelry and fashion. Nothing wrong with that if that's you thing, but while some become collectable, I don't think its good investment class if that is part of the reasoning. There is also the need to have it serviced every three to five years which from what I understand will set you 500-800 + shipping if necessary. Servicing involves complete disassembly, cleaning and re-lubricating. The big co's no longer sell parts outside their network of authorized repair centres and really push to have you send your watch into those expensive places for service.

Just saying, go in eyes wide open.

I like working on them and fixing them, but use my phone to tell time

 

[ChazzC]

If you’re going to buy a watch to commemorate/remember/uniqueness, consider finding a custom watchmaker who will make one expressly for you.

RGM Watch Co.

RGM Watch Co Americas premier watchmaker, making high grade mechanical and custom bespoke timepieces made in America. Watchmaking, Guillochè, Engine-Turning, Enamel. Made in USA.

www.rgmwatches.com

 

[Tom O]

The only watch I have ever been interested in is the musical pocket watches like in the Eastwood movies.

 

[StevSmar]

On my ”before I retire” list was a telescope.

Somewhat sheepishly I’ve learnt how incredibly weather dependent astronomy is. Either it’s cloudy, or too bloody cold or compounding it’s lack of use is that I’m tired and go to bed early(er).

Still it’s turned reading astronomy magazine from “eventually I see this” to “I can’t wait to see this when I’m not tired and….. the stars align” (of course that pun was intended)

 

[Susquatch]

Somewhat sheepishly I’ve learnt how incredibly weather dependent astronomy is.

1 out of 3 nights or so are gorgeous here. The moon is a bigger problem than light pollution. Although we can see the light bubble of Cleveland across the lake, the alien greenhouses of Leamington, and a glow from Chatham, generally speaking the night sky is dark and beautiful.

The moon is cool in a telescope too. Especially the shadows of crater walls at half moon or less.

As I get older, it gets harder to stay up too. That's when kids and grandkids kick in to drag me out for a fire and star gazing.

 

[Hollow-Grind]

I like working on them and fixing them, but use my phone to tell time.

Will your phone charge itself with no power to tell time?

 

[Hollow-Grind]

If I spent 5-7 on a watch my family and friends would think I was a self indulgent, materialistic wanker. There is probably a 5 dollar Timex on Amazon that would also meet the requirements.
Now a nice mill ( nice Maho for 3k (gone now)) or lathe and they'd all go oooooo !

Call me a wanker. This was 12k but worth 17k when I walked out the door. Engine in my ZL1 is worth about the same.

 

[DPittman]

Call me a wanker. This was 12k but worth 17k when I walked out the door. Engine in my ZL1 is worth about the same.

WANKER!

 

[DPittman]

Call me a wanker. This was 12k but worth 17k when I walked out the door. Engine in my ZL1 is worth about the same.

I've always wanted to buy one of those fake Rolex watches for fun and I understand some of them are decent watches. However I have decided against it as not only would my purchase encourage serious counterfeitism and dishonesty, I hate to think of some poor sucker getting took by my watch should it ever end up on the market again.

(And in no way am I suggesting your Rolex is a fake, I wouldn't know the difference)

 

[1018Machine]

Yes, this is what I want , but it is completely not appreciable by the family....

I find this to be sort of sad, you have the money and want something special yet it must conform with others in the family. I don't think I could live with that, and I'm not trying to be selfish! We live such a short life, make the best of it.

 

[ChazzC]

On my ”before I retire” list was a telescope.

Somewhat sheepishly I’ve learnt how incredibly weather dependent astronomy is. Either it’s cloudy, or too bloody cold or compounding it’s lack of use is that I’m tired and go to bed early(er).

Still it’s turned reading astronomy magazine from “eventually I see this” to “I can’t wait to see this when I’m not tired and….. the stars align” (of course that pun was intended)

1 out of 3 nights or so are gorgeous here. The moon is a bigger problem than light pollution. Although we can see the light bubble of Cleveland across the lake, the alien greenhouses of Leamington, and a glow from Chatham, generally speaking the night sky is dark and beautiful.

The moon is cool in a telescope too. Especially the shadows of crater walls at half moon or less.

As I get older, it gets harder to stay up too. That's when kids and grandkids kick in to drag me out for a fire and star gazing.

Skys have gotton worse here over the past 40+ years. I got my Meade 2080 back in the 80's and outfitted it with a wide range of accessories, including a home built (from a peek inside a commercial unit and "Xeroxing" the PC Board) adjustable frequecny drive for the included AC motor [it was a different era}. I also had the mirror resurfaced until Meade's 25 year warranty.

12 years ago I donated it to the local High School Science Club:

• Too cold when we had clear skies
• Too much light (we live on a corner in a relatively quiet development, but my best veiwing location was on the driveway and there were enough car headlights turning the corner that it was a pain recovering night sight)
• Worst of all: one of the times I went to our local-ish Astronomy Club's place in the country (where they had a small planetarium and a number of concrete pads with power) and just when we had finished setting up and started viewing, a drunk member and car load of his drunk buddies drove up with full lights (there was a sign that said "Parking Lights Only") and ruining everything.

However, I was able to view the Aurora last fall (with the help of my iPhone, even with only one arm):

 

[Gennady]

you have the money and want something special yet it must conform with others in the family.

I cannot be absolutely free of any obligations and make my completely personal/unapproved decisions for that amount . I am not living in the vacuum and my best half is the same.
BTW - I made my short list but still not final choice: midsize CNC mill or good watch.